Chapter 508 508

Chloe's words pierced straight into his conscience.

His heart was beating abnormally, and he started having cold sweat under his suit.

He didn't know why, but Chloe's words made him weak. He should be angry at her. In fact, he should be able to yell at her for being so thick-headed!

But Chloe's surprising determination was like a kryptonite to him. She still had her sweet doe eyes, still with the beautiful face and tender lips that he really loved to nibble.

But her stance, gait, and words coming out of her mouth were different.

Chloe was so bold that she didn't even back down, no matter how much Vernon tried to intimidate her, and the power dynamic started to shift between them.

Realizing he was losing this argument, Vernon gritted his teeth and vehemently shook his head, "If I forgive everyone in my life, then they will stomp on me! You don't understand how I feel, Chloe. I live in a world without my family's help, so I have to climb my way up with my own ability, and it's not a road filled with flowers and shit!"

"Don't you understand that your kindness can be used by everyone? That's your weakness and Vincent used it against you!"

Vernon started raising his voice again, thinking Chloe would eventually stop this argument completely. The power dynamic shift between them made him feel uncomfortable as if he was about to be dominated by his woman.

...

Chloe stayed silent for a moment. She kept her steady gaze on Vernon, who kept dodging her eyes nervously.

Vernon's words actually hit her nerve, but she didn't want to turn this argument into a fight. She was exhausted.

"Yes, I don't know how you feel, Vernon," Chloe said. "To be a multi millionaire entrepreneur at such a young age-- that must've required a lot of sacrifice and struggle that I'll never experience in my life. I will never deny your success."

"But you also know nothing about my suffering. It's not my kindness that forced me to stay with Vincent. It's a lot more complicated than that. So better not judge each other, because we have different struggles."

'Damn it!' Vernon cursed in his heart. He was frustrated because somehow Chloe always got a way to counter his words. He had to admit defeat at this point.

"You keep saying that Dorothea is trying to apologize to me. You also said that she is trying to help us by messing up with Vincent's charity works," Vernon scoffed. "Those are just tricks to fool you! She loves her first son so much, she'd probably kill herself if Vincent told her to do so. She is playing with death if she dares to disturb Vincent's public image."

"What if we suddenly get the news that Dorothea actually does her job and prevents the scholarship awardees from getting their monthly allowance from the Gray foundation starting from next month?" Chloe asked. "Will you finally believe that Dorothea is trying to make peace with you?"

Vernon's brows creased, "What are you implying here? Do you really think that she will do that stupid thing? She is betting her life if she did that."

"Yes, she will do it," Chloe said. "I believe she will."

Vernon scoffed again. He puffed his chest as he saw that as a challenge, "Alright, if that's the only way to get through your thick skull. I naturally have ears around the Gray family. If I got the news that Dorothea actually stops all the scholarship funds, even just for one month, then I will yield."

"If I win, you can do whatever with Dorothea. You can even bring her here, though I will probably move to another apartment. Just thinking about her grosses me out."

"If I lose?" Chloe asked.

"You will never see her again, and you're not allowed to have any contact with anyone except me, Mackie, Diamond, and a select few people I trust. This is the deal if you want to bet, Chloe," Vernon said.

He knew the deal was unfair to Chloe. If she lost, she'd be trapped, and Vernon would control her life forever. But it was more of a threat, and he hoped Chloe understood the danger she was about to cross.

If she was smart enough, she would reject it and withdraw immediately. That'd be the end of this stupid argument between them.

Since there was no way that old bitch would be willing to destroy her life just to disrupt Vincent's public image, it was a guaranteed defeat for Chloe.

"Deal," Chloe said without hesitation.

Vernon's eyes widened, "You-- Do you know what you're getting into?!"

"Naturally," Chloe nodded. "I will take it because I want to prove my point. Dorothea has changed, and she's trying her best to get your forgiveness--"

"--And I will never forgive her!" Vernon interrupted.

Chloe paused for a moment, "It doesn't matter if you want to forgive her or not. As long as I win, you're not allowed to stop me from sitting you two at a table to have a talk."

"And it doesn't matter if you will reject me or not. If you lose, your life will be in my hands. Do you not see the risk?"

"I know, and I'm still firm in my belief," Chloe stated.

Vernon gritted his teeth.

Chloe wouldn't back down, no matter how many times he tried to intimidate and stop Chloe from arguing with him, "You're unbelievable. Fine then, give me your phone. I want to make sure that you won't contact her until next month!"

"It's on the kitchen counter. You can keep it until next month," Chloe said boldly. "Just keep it safe. There are... few photos that I treasure."

"Tch," Vernon turned around and opened the door. He strode to the kitchen and grabbed Chloe's phone before returning to his room.

Vernon waved Chloe's phone in front of her face, "Are you sure about this? You can back down now before it's too late."

"I know that I am right," Chloe stated. "Just keep that phone, and hide it somewhere that I cannot touch so I won't be able to contact Dorothea. I know that I'll win this bet, and you'll have to meet her again."