She knew that Vernon would never forget all the bad things that had happened in his childhood, and Dorothea was ready to take all the blame. She deserved it anyway.
"But is it wrong for me to wish that he'd at least tolerate me?" Dorothea asked, to which she got no answer. Because she had to meet with her second son first before hearing his verdict.
Knock. Knock.
Dorothea lifted her head when she heard the knock. She peered suspiciously and then asked, "Who's there?"
"I am Mr. Phoenix Gray's driver, Madam. He told me to pick you up, please come out."
Dorothea gulped. She stepped towards the front door and checked from the peephole. She saw a man wearing a suit.
Dorothea opened the door and observed the man from head to toe silently.
The man bowed respectfully and said, "I'm here to escort you to the Phoenix Tower. He has been waiting for you today, please come with me."
"Wait, before we leave, can I ask if Chloe is also there?" Dorothea felt slightly nervous, thinking that Chloe would leave her alone with Vernon. She wasn't ready to face her second son after all the things she had done to him in the past.
She needed a support system, and that would be Chloe, of course, as she was the only person who had ever forgiven and accepted Dorothea.
"Mr. Phoenix Gray didn't give me any information regarding his wife, Madam. But I believe that Mrs. Phoenix Gray is currently in the apartment, because I'm usually the one who drives her around the city."
Dorothea wasn't all that surprised when the man called Chloe 'Mrs. Phoenix Gray' or her boss' wife. Because Dorothea already knew that Vernon's obsession with Chloe knew no bounds.
Vernon was bound to be with that woman, and Dorothea was actually glad that Chloe was the woman who entered his heart.
Because she knew that Chloe had so much impact on Vernon during his childhood stage, and she was also a good woman.
After all, without proper care, she didn't think that Mackie would grow up to be a good child.
'And Vernon will definitely turn even worse than my first son. He is far more scheming and scarier than Vincent, he will definitely become the bigger monster if Chloe didn't come into his life back then.'
"Ah, that's relieving," Dorothea let out a relieved sigh. "Well, let's go then, I want to see my son and daughter-in-law."
"This way, Madam."
The driver opened the car door for Dorothea and drove to the Phoenix Tower, which was quite far from her current stay.
Because she was staying in a dilapidated motel far from the center of New York, where the Phoenix Tower was located.
After all, she needed a place where it'd be hard for Vincent to locate her while she was launching an attack on the Gray foundation. This place suited her because Vincent would never expect her to lower her standard and live in such a run-down motel.
She also believed that it was the place she deserved. A place where there was nothing but sadness and despair, a place people would call garbage, just like her.
The car took a sharp turn once it entered the basement of Phoenix Tower. The driver parked the car at a reserved spot, and once he turned off the engine, he looked behind and stared at Dorothea, "We're here, Madam. Mr. Phoenix Gray has been waiting for you on the fifth floor, room 505. You may take the elevator."
The man handed a card as the key to open room 505, and Dorothea accepted it before exiting the car.
She entered the elevator and stopped on the fifth floor.
Ding!
The elevator door slid open, and Dorothea's eyes widened when she saw Chloe, who had been waiting in front of the elevator.
She looked happier than before, a lot ruddier and more beautiful too. She looked ravishing, just like before she got married to Vincent. Dorothea knew that Chloe must be very happy staying with Vernon, especially after ten years of abuse from Vincent.
But Dorothea still couldn't get used to Chloe's free smile and open hug, "C--Chloe?" she called her name, making sure it was her daughter-in-law.
"Mhm, welcome back, Dorothea. How about a hug?" Chloe offered as she opened her hand.
Dorothea hesitated momentarily, looking around to check, and Chloe giggled when she saw it, "Don't worry, Vernon is inside the room. I'm just here to greet you. It's been a month since the last time we met. I miss you."
Dorothea stared at Chloe, who didn't seem to have any kind of reluctance or suspicion toward her. So she let down her guard and stepped out of the elevator.
They hugged tightly, but it was mostly Dorothea who hugged Chloe so tight, as if it was her last. She felt like she hadn't seen Chloe for a long time, even though it had been only one month since the last time they had met.
She really thought that she wouldn't be able to see Chloe anymore after Vernon went on a rampage against her. She thought her life was over, and she'd lose the only person caring for her well-being.
"Thank you for giving me another chance, Chloe. I know it must be really hard for you to convince Vernon about this," Dorothea said.
"Mhm, well, the bet is dangerous, but the reward is well-worth it. At least I can give you another chance to talk with him, but...." Chloe hesitated momentarily before continuing, "But this is your last chance, Dorothea. I keep asking Vernon to let you inside our small family, but he is hellbent to reject your presence. I hope that you can convince him now, or we might never meet anymore...."
"I will try to convince him. You've worked hard for this, so I have to at least try my best," Dorothea said.
Chloe was relieved by the answer. She thought Dorothea had given up on everything and wouldn't even try to convince Vernon.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go into room 505 and convince him! Good luck, Dorothea!"
Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on free(w)ebnov(e)l.𝒄𝒐𝙢