Chapter 438 438

"You can't fool me."

Despite all his confident smile and uncaring attitude toward his mother, Vernon was actually deeply hurt by Dorothea's accusation.

He knew that he wasn't a good man, nor was he a good son. But Vincent was even worse than him, and Dorothea seemed to care for Vincent despite all the horrible stuff he did.

'Favoritism does exist,' Vernon thought. 'This old bitch never even cared for me when I was young. She was too busy drinking and crying like a madwoman.'

'Well, she was barely functioning by herself. She should be grateful that Chloe took care of me when I was young.'

He was also curious about Dorothea's relationship with Chloe.

From what he remembered, Dorothea absolutely despised Chloe because she didn't come from a good family, but Vincent insisted on marrying her, and she had gotten approval from Vaughn before his death, so nothing was stopping Vincent from marrying Chloe.

'Huh, I remembered that my late father never liked Chloe as well. I wonder how she could get his approval. Did Chloe do something to satisfy that perverted bastard?' Vernon's gaze darkened for a split second. He started suspecting that Vaughn Gray might've done something to Chloe when she was young.

But he should save this question for later. He needed to keep his professionalism here and acted like a careless, ignorant son.

"I'm not even trying to fool you," Vernon shrugged. "Though, even if I want to get half of my inheritance, and also the connection from the Gray family, I should be able to do that, right, Big bro?"

"Yeah, it's your right to have half of the inheritance," Vincent said. "I don't even know why our parents wrote you off. You're my only sibling, and nothing can change that."

"Vincent!"

Vincent shifted his attention to Dorothea and gave her a malicious gaze, the edge of his lips curling up, "What? Didn't I tell you that I won't stop him if he wants to claim his inheritance? Though Vernon is not a greedy bastard like you claim him to be. So he has never asked for his share. He built his own business without the family's help."

Dorothea gnashed her teeth as she stared at her sons who joined forces against her. She knew she wasn't a good mother to Vernon and didn't care about him. Surviving Vaughn's crazy habit wasn't easy, and she only had enough energy to pour his motherly love into one son. Naturally, she took Vincent. He was far brighter and much more capable than Vernon.

Too bad, even this one son dared to mock her like this.

Vernon glanced at his Big brother, who seemed to be pretty genuine about the whole brotherly connection between them, which was ironic since Vernon had nothing of it.

He didn't see Vincent as a good older brother because Vincent was only gentle to him if he was obedient or 'lesser' than him.

Back when they were young, Vincent would show his anger or annoyance, sometimes even yelling at Vernon when Vernon showed a bit of his brilliance in school. He picked that up very quickly, so he stopped trying to be as good as his Big bro academically.

In fact, as long as he acted dumb or careless, Vincent would be pleased and wouldn't see him as a rival.

He was a megalomaniac since he was a kid, probably also picking that up from their late father.

"Anyway, why is she here, Big bro?" Vernon asked, pointing at Dorothea. "I thought you asked me to come this morning because you want to discuss something important. I don't think she has any importance here."

Vincent chuckled again. He was pleased with Vernon's attitude, "Our mother is worried about my performance in the company since I became a little sluggish after Chloe left— that's what they said."

"Oh yeah? I thought you're doing good as always, Big bro."

"I am, she's just being paranoid. I think we need to give her a ride to the nearest mental hospital," Vincent joked.

Dorothea was trying to fight off the uncomfortableness in her heart, "I'm serious, Vincent. I got the report from Maria that you got sluggish and slow with work. I'm just looking out for you, since I don't want you to fall."

"I'm not gonna fall, you're exaggerating," Vincent replied lightly. "But if you're that paranoid, then let me tell you something—"

Vincent took his phone out and searched for something in his gallery. Once he got the right video, he played it and showed the screen to his mother.

Vernon couldn't see what was playing because the screen was facing Dorothea, but when he heard Chloe's voice shouting at Vincent, his heart dropped instantly.

—

'I'M NOT YOUR BITCH, YOU CRAZY BASTARD!'

The video was followed by the voice of something cracking, followed by Vincent's thundering voice shouting back at her;

"YOU WILL REGRET THIS, CHLOE GRAY!"

—

Vernon couldn't bear to hear the rest of the video because it was sickening just listening to it. He was clenching his fist so hard that he believed both Dorothea and Vincent would notice his rage had they checked on him.

"I'm going to the bathroom," Vernon said. He quickly got up and left Vincent's office.

He saw Secretary Maria standing not far from the door. He was trying to control his expression so Secretary Maria would overlook his boiling rage, but he was so angry that he doubted he could hide it from this old hag.

"Where is the toilet?" Vernon asked.

…

Secretary Maria stayed silent. Her eyes studied every inch of Vernon's face to read his mood. He waited thirty seconds before Maria opened her mouth, "Just turn left. It's at the corner near the pantry."

Vernon took a long step and rushed to the bathroom to calm himself. Secretary Maria watched his back.

Her cold, piercing gaze silently studied everything about Vernon. Naturally, she knew what was happening inside. Vincent must've been playing that video of him hitting Chloe. He just didn't shut up, marveling at how he regained his vigor after watching it repeatedly.

She didn't find that surprising, but Vernon's reaction was not within her expectation, "Did he get mad watching the video of Vincent beating Chloe? Why?"