Dorothea finally let go of her embrace once Chloe told her that Vernon was waiting for her in the penthouse. She saw how Chloe had a permanent smile as she mentioned Vernon, which also put a smile on the old woman's face.
'Vernon is well loved. I'm glad she can give him the love he deserves after growing up in a hell I created,' Dorothea thought. 'If only I can be part of their heaven....'
Dorothea stood still for a while until she felt a little hand grabbing some of her fingers.
"Grandma, Grandma!"
Dorothea looked down and smiled at Tony, the smallest one. He was only three years old, and he was the clingiest. He was also instantly close to Dorothea after she introduced herself.
Dorothea bent her back and patted his head, "Yes, Tony?"
"Um, my clothes feel itchy. Can I take a bath and get my clothes at home?"
"Oh, you can take a bath in a few hours, then I'll prepare a warm bathtub. Don't worry, I will ask your Aunt to buy all of you clothes later, okay?"
"Ah, warm bathtub? I can take a bath with hot water?" Tony asked. He tilted his head, "You won't scold me if I use hot water, Grandma?"
"Of course, not! You can use as much hot water as possible here! Nobody is going to scold you for taking a hot shower too!"
"Wow! Thank you, Grandma!" Tony returned to his brothers and announced they could use the hot water, and the boys cheered up.
Dorothea could only sigh as she watched how these boys would be so happy for something so menial.
Dorothea was born and grew up in a rich family. She never had the same struggle the boys had in their lives. So she wanted to ensure the boys knew they didn't need to worry about anything and just be happy. It was all they needed after living through hell.
**
Chloe rushed to the elevator and went up to the penthouse. She opened her palm while waiting for the elevator to reach the top floor.
Chloe stared at the sour candies in her hand, and her heart ached as she remembered her late mother again. She wanted to tell Judith that she always admired her for being a strong mother, and nothing would change that, even after they had a huge fight.
"You're always my beloved mother," Chloe said as she stared at the sour candies. "I hope you understand what I did by leaving Vincent is the best for me and Mackie. He is a terrible influence on everyone around him. He is toxic...."
Chloe was saddened that she couldn't say those words to her late mother. She wished that Judith would at least know how bad that man was. He didn't deserve to be called the best son-in-law she ever had.
Ding!
Chloe looked up once the elevator door opened, showing the penthouse door right across the corridor.
She clenched her fist and put all the sour candies inside her pocket, then said, "I hope you know that you will have a son-in-law much better than Vincent could ever be, and his name is Vernon Phoenix Gray."
Chloe unlocked the door with a passcode and then entered the penthouse.
She headed to the dining room and saw Vernon playing on his phone after breakfast. Mackie was nowhere to be found, but judging from her empty plate and mug, she must've eaten breakfast and gone downstairs to play.
Vernon glanced at Chloe, who had just arrived. He put his phone down and then got up from the chair. He stood before Chloe and asked with a frown, "What took you so long? I thought something might've happened to you there, so I just dispatched your usual driver to check on the thirteenth floor."
Chloe stared at Vernon for a while without saying a word. She felt she'd cry again, so she threw herself into him. Vernon caught her steadily, wrapping his arm around her waist, and asked worriedly, "Seriously, is everything alright?"
Chloe buried her face in Vernon's muscular chest and nodded, "Everything is alright. I just want to thank you for everything you did, Vernon. You are truly a good person."
Vernon said nothing, but he wrapped his arm around her waist tighter. He felt a surge of electricity around his body and a wave of warmth inside his heart. It made him feel really comfortable, and he wished he could do more.
In fact, he wanted to do more just to make Chloe happy.
'As expected, I feel a lot better when I can make her happy,' Vernon thought. 'I could flip the world upside down if that would make Chloe feel at ease. Surely, I don't mind destroying that bastard brother of mine as long as Chloe would hug me like this, thank me, and say that I am a good person.'
Vernon knew that, at some point, he might've spoiled Chloe too much.
But he didn't care.
As long as Chloe was happy, then so did he. Even if that meant he had to compromise on many things, just like how he compromised with Dorothea.
Chloe looked up and then stared at the handsome man who embraced her. Their eyes met as they stared at each other for a long time, then Chloe muttered, "I love you, my sweet Vernon."
Chloe's voice was low and weak. It was almost inaudible even.
But Vernon heard everything, and her sentence shook his body to the core. He started trembling, trying his best to suppress his urge to do something to Chloe that he might regret.
Chloe smiled at him and took the initiative to kiss him softly, "I hope that's enough--Wha--Umffh!"
Chloe was surprised when Vernon suddenly leaned down and gave her a deep kiss full of passion. She struggled at first but soon gave herself in as she started enjoying the deep kiss.
She closed her eyes and wrapped her hand around his neck to deepen the kiss.
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