Chapter 619 619

Vernon's frown got deeper, and he said, "If you want to buy something from a convenience store, just call the front desk, and they will bring it to you."

"N—No, I…" Chloe wondered if she had to be honest because she knew Vernon wouldn't allow her to go if he knew the real reason. But she had promised herself to be more truthful to him, so they wouldn't misunderstand each other.

Thus, she replied, "I… I have to go to a police station."

Vernon raised his brows subconsciously, "Why? What happened?"

"Something bad happened to my family. An officer called me, saying that Aaron gave him my phone number, because he—and the rest of the boys, need me so much right now."

Vernon's eyes darkened instantly, "Did he call you with an official number from the NYPD?"

Chloe shook her head.

"Did he specify what kind of incident happened to your nephews?"

Chloe shook her head again.

"It's a trap," Vernon said curtly. "Don't fall for it."

"B—But, they need me. Vernon, please let me just borrow your car and I'll go alone."

"I won't allow it," Vernon tried to busy himself by returning his gaze to his laptop, indicating that he was not open for any more discussion. "It's obviously a trap set up by Maria or Vincent. They're using your emotion to bait you out."

"But he called my number! You know that I've changed my number and none of them know about it!" Chloe insisted.

"Maybe they got it in some way. Vincent has connections everywhere, Chloe. It's not hard for him to find your phone number if he really tries," Vernon said coldly. "We will have to change your phone number again after tomorrow morning."

"Vernon! This is serious!" Chloe yelled as she realized Vernon was seriously up to no discussion or negotiation. He ignored her words as if she was speaking bullshit right now.

Vernon finally closed his laptop and got up.

He walked towards Chloe and stood in front of her. He wasn't trying to be menacing, but his cold face was enough to scare anyone, including Chloe, who got a bit intimidated.

"And I am also very serious," Vernon said. "I know you have a high empathy. But this is obviously a trap, and I won't allow you to get hurt, Chloe."

Vernon remembered how much of an idiot he was for allowing Chloe to go to the Autumn Festival in Mackie's previous school, which ended up with her getting beaten up so badly her right hand had to be put in a cast for a month.

So he wouldn't let that happen no matter what.

Meanwhile, Chloe grew increasingly desperate. She had to see what happened with the boys, or else she would feel awful guilt.

"Vernon, please…"

"No," Vernon refused again. "I'll have someone investigate Chelsea tomorrow, but you're not allowed to leave tonight."

Chloe was finally at her wit's end, "Fine then. I'll just call an Uber!"

Chloe rushed to the front door but wasn't fast enough compared to Vernon, who dashed to block the main door with his large body frame, "You're not going anywhere."

Chloe glared at Vernon. She adored him so much usually, but she was in such a desperate situation right now that she simply found him annoying.

She turned around, intending to go downstairs and leave from the door to her apartment.

But Vernon quickly caught her waist, "Chloe, stop this!"

Chloe looked over her shoulder and snapped, "Vernon, let me go now! I have to see them!"

"You're going to be in danger! I won't allow you!" Vernon yelled back as Chloe started struggling.

Chloe knew that she wasn't on par with Vernon regarding strength. Thus, after so much struggle, she finally gave up and murmured, "Vernon, I… I can't just ignore them. They are my nephews. They are four innocent boys that I've helped to raise since they were just newborns."

Vernon's lips thinned.

Honestly, he also felt reluctant to argue with Chloe in any way. Each time they had a fight or argument, Vernon felt there was a big hole in his heart that kept on bleeding until they made up.

There was an urge in his heart to just allow Chloe to do anything she liked, even if that meant putting himself in danger because he did everything for Chloe anyway.

But he couldn't do that when Chloe was in danger instead.

It gave him nightmares whenever he remembered how Chloe returned to him, beaten, yet still tried to pacify him not to find his Big bro to kill him instantly.

"Can you at least stay for tonight? I will investigate them tomorrow morning. So you don't need to worry," Vernon tried to persuade her. He pulled her deeper into his embrace and added. "I'm really worried, Chloe. I don't want to make the same mistake by allowing you to get trapped by Vincent again."

"I… I can't…." Chloe replied. "I'm sorry, Vernon. But I have a gut feeling. It tells me to find the boys tonight, or I will regret it. I'm sorry that my gut feeling might not be logical, but I can't stop it…."

'That's not a gut feeling. That's probably her motherly instinct…' Vernon thought.

He sighed.

He knew coming with Chloe right now was probably the worst idea he could ever do.

If this was a trap and they fell for it, then Vincent would find out that Vernon had been the mastermind behind all the instability in the Gray company and the one hiding Chloe for so long.

It would be the end of him.

Or even if Vincent wouldn't kill him now, Vernon certainly wouldn't be able to reach the height he wanted. He wouldn't be able to crush Vincent completely to the point that his Big brother wouldn't be able to recover anymore.

So it would be a lot harder for Vernon to give that full sense of security to Chloe…

'But I still won't let her go alone….'

Vernon took a deep breath and finally decided, "Alright, let's go now."