"But… Mackie's tuition is costly. I'm afraid it will… um… it will burden you if you didn't subtract my salary to pay it."
The annoyance in Vernon's eyes turned into hostility right after Chloe stated that. He glowered at his docile sister-in-law and scoffed, "So this is what you mean, huh?"
"W—what?" Chloe lifted her head to see Vernon, and she got nervous instantly. Because Vernon's eyes showed that he was annoyed— angry even.
Chloe took a step back, but Vernon quickly reached her arm and pulled her in, "Ah!"
Chloe lost her balance and fell to the front, landing on Vernon's chest. Vernon inserted his fingers inside her hair and yanked her head, so their eyes met.
Vernon's face was so close to hers that their noses almost touched. But that angry eyes only scared Chloe even more.
"You think I'm not as good as my brother, right?"
Chloe's eyes widened. She never said that!
"I—I didn't—"
"Oh, cut the crap, Chloe. I know that you think I'm not as good as my brother. You think paying goddamn tuition will make me broke?!"
"I never said—"
"SHUT UP! DON'T ARGUE WITH ME!"
Chloe zipped her lips instantly. But she was so scared by Vernon's explosive anger that her body started trembling involuntarily, and a pool of tears glazed in her eyes.
Vernon gritted his teeth and pushed Chloe until she fell to the hard floor. She grimaced in pain, but Vernon didn't care. He just got up and grabbed his car key.
"Pay my niece's tuition with the card I gave you. But you're not allowed to find another apartment. This is your only place to stay if you want to work with me," Vernon said. He left in a hurry, still with his messy shirt and sweatpants. freewebnovel.c(o)m
Chloe watched his back until he slammed the main door shut. Chloe couldn't understand the extreme reaction that Vernon gave. She didn't want to burden him, especially knowing that Mackie's tuition was really expensive.
But, he didn't seem open to further discussion, "So I can't move out of this apartment…."
Chloe sighed. She really had no control over her own life. All she wanted was to live with her daughter independently and in peace.
She was grateful for Vernon's help, but that didn't mean it was for free. Vernon helped her because he also wanted something.
"Ah, I guess there's no helping in this. I must watch over Mackie closely, including her mental health, since that bastard Vincent is ruining everything."
**
Vernon was in a terrible mood right now. After leaving his penthouse, he exploded at everyone, including the receptionist and even the security guard in the underground parking lot. He told everyone to never accept someone other than him, Diamond, and Chloe on Floor 20 and 21.
After that, he drove aimlessly to vent his anger.
He wasn't a patient and soft man in the first place. But what Chloe did was way out of the line.
Vernon wouldn't lie. The success of his businesses was also attributed to his brother, Vincent Gray.
He might refuse his help— and the Gray family's help in general.
But Vincent did nothing when his company was climbing up. Even though Vincent could call a few people to crush Vernon's growing company if he wanted no competition.
But that also made him feel small because he was tolerated by his big brother.
"Why the fuck would she needs to compare me with my brother? Is it because I'm not as powerful and rich as Vincent yet? That bi—!"
Vernon was so aggrieved that he wanted to curse at Chloe, calling her slurs that flashed in his mind. But he held off out of respect for her.
"As expected, my brother will always be on the lead," Vernon mumbled.
But he took it as a race. Of course, he wouldn't lose.
"I will show her once my brother is vulnerable enough."
Vernon decided to call his big brother, whom he had just recently contacted.
After a few beeps, Vincent picked up the phone.
__
"Yes, Vernon?"
"Ah, Big brother, it's the weekend, and I'm free right now. I want to meet you. Do you have time?"
"Well, I'm in a hotel right now. But I'll give you the address. We can meet in the hotel's rooftop restaurant," Vincent said.
Vernon heard exhaustion in his big brother's voice for some reason, but he agreed and hung up the call.
Vernon drove to the hotel where Vincent stayed right now, and he went to the rooftop restaurant after saying he had a reservation with Mr. Vincent Gray.
The waiter escorted Vernon to a private spot with Vincent standing in a daze while watching the river view.
Vernon approached his big brother and patted his shoulder from behind, "Big brother, I'm here."
"Ah—" Vincent turned around and opened his arms to hug Vernon. "Vernon, you're finally here!"
Vincent patted Vernon's back and told him to sit. They sat while the waiters arranged their dishes based on Vincent's request.
Vernon stared at his big brother. It had been a week since they met again. The last time they met was during their mother's birthday in the Gray Mansion.
But at that time, both Vincent and Vernon were busy with their respective business partners.
But in only a week, there seemed to be a drastic change in Vincent.
Vincent was always handsome and charismatic with a deep hooded gaze and jet black eyes. It was the strong inherited gene of the Gray family.
But Vernon could see a trace of exhaustion in Vincent's eyes, something he didn't see when they met. Which made Vernon quite curious.
"I heard that your company is doing well, Vernon," Vincent started the conversation. "Tell me if you need any help. I can support you with funding or connection if you need one. You're still my little brother, after all."
"Ah, thank you, big brother. But I just want to chat with you right now," Vernon refused carefully.
"How about you, big brother? Are you doing well?"
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