Chapter 488 488

"YET— that's your answer," Dorothea rolled her eyes. She found Chloe's timidness to be adorable, but it could also be unbearable sometimes. "Just because Vincent hasn't done anything to her daughter, doesn't mean he won't. He is like Vaughn and they are both unpredictable."

"Who knows there will be a time when Vincent realizes that he cannot force you to return to him, so he starts doing the unimaginable. Maybe kidnapping Mackie and using her as a hostage and forcing you to return home? You two haven't been divorced yet, so Vincent has the right to keep his daughter as well!"

"Chloe, I know you feared Vincent so much. But please, don't do stupid shit like what I did!" Dorothea's voice started rising as she got angrier. "I prioritized my hatred against Vaughn, so I treated Vernon horribly to vent. You're doing the same, you allowed Mackie to be in a position of danger just because you prioritize your fear of Vincent!"

"God, I really want to slap you right now," Dorothea said. "You told me that Mackie's safety and happiness are your priority, yet you do stupid stuff like this, don't be a hypocrite!"

Dorothea's scolding felt like a real slap for Chloe.

She was right.

She could've transferred Mackie to another school after Vernon took her in.

But she was living under fear, and she feared that Vincent would 'punish' her for transferring Mackie to another school because Vincent would definitely lose control over Mackie. He was a megalomaniac who thrived when he was in control of everything.

"B—But, what should I do if Vincent gets angry? I don't want to— to see his rage…." Chloe's body was shaking out of subconscious fear of Vincent's rage.

Dorothea's grip on Chloe's arms loosened when she saw the fear on Chloe's face. She couldn't help but sympathize with this poor woman while also getting angry at her son for being a total piece of shit.

"I'm sorry for lashing out at you," Dorothea finally softened. "I just don't want you to make the same mistake as I did, Chloe. But I won't change my mind. I want you to transfer Mackie to another school before things get really bad."

"I know, and I understand your fear to Vincent. But you have to fight it, Chloe. This is not only about you. This problem involves your daughter, and just like what you told me before, you will do anything for Mackie's safety and happiness."

…

Chloe's eyes glazed with tears as she stared at Dorothea, who stared back at her. She had tried her best not to show vulnerability to anyone except Vernon, especially when her fear was about Vincent.

"I—I'm not that weak," Chloe said in her shaky voice, trying not to sob. "I fought back when he beat me up a week ago…."

Dorothea knew that Chloe was just trying to act tough to hide her fear. Though, it wasn't convincing enough to fool Dorothea.

But Dorothea decided to play along with Chloe's tough act to appreciate her effort, "Then you need to show me that you're not scared of him. I don't know what Vincent will do once he finds out about this. But you need to take decisive action for your daughter's safety, understand?"

Chloe nodded.

Dorothea was right.

She had to take decisive action, or it might be too late to save her daughter.

"I will talk to Vernon to help me find a new school that will benefit Mackie. If it's impossible to transfer her, she will have to be homeschooled until my divorce is finalized," Chloe said.

She still had a worry about Mackie's reaction to getting transferred. But Chloe had to put that aside because Mackie's safety was of the utmost importance.

Chloe checked the clock on the wall and gasped, "We have been talking for the past four hours?!"

Dorothea looked up to check the time and had the same gasp, "I think you need to return. Mackie is still in the apartment, right? Alone?"

"Yeah, she's alone. She's used to it when I have to grocery shop without her. But I can't use that alibi since I can't drive right now," Chloe stood up. "I'll have to return now, but I'll visit again tomorrow morning after Vernon leaves for work. Thank you for… for being a better person, Dorothea."

Dorothea smiled, "I should be the one who thank you. Thank you for being the bigger person. I don't think I've ever met someone with a bigger heart than yours."

Chloe gave her last goodbye before she ran to the elevator and went up. She was worried about Mackie.

She wasn't worried about Mackie crying because she couldn't find her Mommy. Mackie was old enough to be alone in the house and wouldn't do stupid stuff.

But Chloe was worried that Mackie would start questioning her absence and then report it to Vernon. She didn't want Vernon to have any kind of suspicion. At least not now, when she was still trying to find a way to fix the estranged mother-son bond between Dorothea and Vernon. To do that, she had to keep Vernon in a good mood and did a lot of smooth talks to appease him until he was open for that talk.

Chloe unlocked the penthouse door with a password and opened it.

Click.

"MOMMY!"

Mackie's loud yell echoed around the foyer as the little girl rushed to the main door. She grabbed her Mommy's left wrist and pulled her inside the penthouse.

"Where have you been, Mommy?" Mackie asked. She sat her Mommy on the sofa and stood in front of her with her small hands crossed in front of her chest, waiting for an answer.

"Ah— I uhm… I got bored, so I went out to look around the apartment building. It's nothing much, dear…."

Mackie squinted, "Mommy, Uncle told me not to let you out! Mommy is still hurting, what if you fall and rolled to the street and then get run over by a truck!"