"Chloe?" Vernon called her name, trying to snap her out, but it didn't seem to work.

Vernon saw that Chloe's chest rose up and down, and her face reddened as time passed. He got even more worried and tried to shake her shoulders.

"Chloe, Chloe! Get yourself together!"

Chloe finally lifted her gaze a bit and stared at Vernon, who looked at her as if she was in danger.

But Chloe knew Vernon was in grave danger when he said he would go against his Big brother.

Chloe grasped Vernon's arms desperately and begged, "Vernon, please don't say that you're going to challenge Vincent. You're going to suffer! You will lose everything if you fight him!"

Vernon was offended when his beloved woman said that. But he knew what she did right now was a response to trauma.

She must have suffered a lot. Thus the idea of going against Vincent was something terrifying that shouldn't have been said.



Vernon said nothing, but he shook his head firmly, confirming that he would not change his mind about his decision to fight Vincent.

"No… how could this be…" Chloe lowered her head as her courage to stare at the young man in front of her vanished instantly. She felt so guilty because she would be the reason for his ruination.

Chloe grasped Vernon's arms tighter than before as she didn't want to let go, "V—Vernon, please… think about it…." Chloe said. Her voice was shaky, and her eyes also pooled with tears.

Drip. Drip.

Vernon looked down and saw the tears drop and make a wet mark on Chloe's skirt. His breath stiffened, and he quickly grabbed Chloe's chin, forcing her to look up.

Chloe bit her lower lip, trying not to sob in front of Vernon. But her tears flowed freely as Vernon was looking at her with concern in his eyes.

'No, don't look at me with worry. I should be the one worrying about you!'

Meanwhile, Vernon's heart hurt when he saw the tears. He knew that she didn't want this to happen. She wanted Vernon to keep it lowkey and never go against his Big bro.

'But I have a woman to protect,' Vernon firmly stated in his heart.

He gently wiped the tears in Chloe's eyes and said, "I will not back down. I might be doing it in secret right now, but there will be a time when I will face him toe-to-toe."

"But you don't need to worry, because I have been planning this for a long time, so I know what I'm doing," Vernon said.

Chloe saw the steadfastness in his eyes. His expression showed no fear, and he seemed to understand the risk.

And everything about that… scared Chloe even more.

The more she stared at Vernon, the more scared and guilty she felt.

She finally released her hands around Vernon's arms. She realized there was nothing she could do anyway because this man had been stubborn since he was a kid.

Chloe got up from the chair and turned around. She suddenly walked to the door, and Vernon quickly followed.

"Chloe, where are you going?" Vernon tried to grab Chloe's hand, but she pulled her hand to dodge it.

Thus, he took a long step and blocked the exit with his big body, "Where are you going? Answer me first," Vernon insisted.

"I… I'm going home…." Chloe replied weakly. "I feel tired…."

"Tired?" Vernon frowned. He glanced at the red room left to dust since Chloe, and he hadn't used it for a while. "You can rest there if you want," he said while pointing at the wooden door.

Chloe shook her head, "I need to be alone. I'll sleep at home."

"At OUR apartment, you mean, right?" Vernon continued inquiring. He feared Chloe might have a stupid idea because of the shock and pressure. "Promise me that you will return to our apartment and rest there."



"I will, I promise…." Chloe nodded weakly. She didn't know if she would break her promise once she left Vernon's office, but it was a way to appease Vernon's worry.

Because she felt nothing but dread right now. Imagining what Vincent would do to his little brother made her stomach turn, she was genuinely scared, and all her trauma stacked up only made it even worse.

Vernon kept staring at Chloe. He felt that Chloe would definitely do something stupid because of her trauma, so he offered, "Then why don't we go home together and rest?"

"Don't. You still have things to do," Chloe refused. "Besides, I need to be alone for now. This is just… too much for me…."

"… Fine, but I will make sure that you return home safely. I will tell Diamond to tail you from behind. Don't worry about Mackie, I'll pick her up."

"No, that's my… responsibility…." Chloe refused. "Mackie is very sensitive if someone else picks her up. She'll get scared."

"Then I will video call you once I'm there, so convince her that it is safe," Vernon assured Chloe. He saw that Chloe desperately needed rest. It must be a total shock for her.



"Okay, I trust you, Vernon…." Chloe said. "Now please move away. I will return home…."

Vernon opened the door for her before moving to the side. Chloe gave him a last side- glance before she walked away from the office.

She was greeted by Diamond, who was surprised by her haggard appearance.

Diamond quickly glared at her boss, demanding an explanation. But Vernon simply gave out an order, "Follow her car from behind, Diamond. Make sure she's going to my apartment safely."

"Wha—" Diamond had many questions in her mind. But nobody would give her an answer.

Chloe also ignored her. She picked up her bag and sauntered towards the elevator.

Diamond clicked her tongue and grabbed her car key, "I want an explanation after this, Sir."

Thus, Diamond followed Chloe to enter the elevator, leaving Vernon alone, staring at them before the elevator door closed.

Vernon sighed, "It can't be helped."