Dorothea's words felt like poison for Chloe's ears. She stumbled back, as though Dorothea had struck her physically. Dorothea gave her a condescending look, blowing more cigarette smoke towards Chloe.
"If you want to live a good life, stick with my son. Go on your knees and kiss his feet if needed, because that's the only place where you can live."
"Even if he is a cheating bastard that ignores his family?" Chloe asked. Perhaps Dorothea was saying such words because she didn't know about the adultery that Vincent did for 7 years straight. Because Chloe never talked about it to anyone.
Dorothea paused for a second. She smoked again and looked away, dodging Chloe's gaze.
"A powerful man like Vincent needs to relax, even from his responsibilities as a husband. One woman— especially an uninteresting woman like you won't be enough for him."
"So what if he sleeps with other women? That's his business. It's regular behavior for men, especially a successful one like him. You feel that it's going out of control? Just ignore it and live your life as usual," Dorothea said.
She looked up and stared at the family picture, her husband— Vaughn Gray, Vincent, Vernon, and herself.
"You know, even my late husband often cheated on me so many times in his life, maybe more than Vincent. Loyalty didn't matter as long as he gave me money and the luxury I needed and wanted. Isn't that the most important thing for us women? We need money to get through life."
"Even so…" Chloe said. She clenched her fist, furious at Dorothea's words. "I don't want to live my whole life trapped with someone who doesn't love me."
"Whatever, Chloe. You are so immature and ungrateful," Dorothea shrugged. "Vincent's given you money and a luxurious life and you're still whining and complaining. I don't want to listen to you any longer - I won't have my birthday tarnished with this stupid conversation. Leave, now."
"You don't need to say it. I already wanted to leave this hellish mansion in the first place," Chloe turned around and opened the door, leaving Dorothea Gray alone as she busied herself staring at the family picture.
**
Chloe ran into the empty corridor, wiping the tears that started to stream down her cheeks. She felt so powerless as she realized that she had no support here. Even Dorothea, who was a woman and a mother, was no different than Vincent.
'This family, they are all bastards!' Chloe cursed in her heart. 'I need to find Mackenzie and leave. This will be the last time I will entangle with this crazy family!'
Thud!
"AH!" Chloe fell to the ground after hitting something tough in front of her. She thought she had stumbled into a wall, but when she saw expensive shoes and slim-fit black trousers right in front of her, she looked up instantly.
She saw a man with perfect facial features sculpted by God looking down at her with a pair of jet black pupils. He stared down at Chloe with such a deep gaze that would drown anyone in an abyss of fantasy. He looked oddly familiar.
"Sister-in-law! Are you alright?" he asked in his deep and somewhat husky voice. He grabbed Chloe's hand and pulled her up.
"Ah—" Chloe jolted a little when the man suddenly put his hand on her back. She could feel his hot palm radiating warmth on her skin because her dress exposed her back. What's more, the man even slid his finger between the strings that tied the dress from behind! Chloe flushed.
"Excuse me," Chloe asked, frozen. "Could you let me go?"
The man smiled and put his hand away after her words, as if he just wanted to make sure that Chloe could stand on her high heels without falling again. He gave a gentlemanly nod.
"Be careful. You're wearing high heels," he said.
Chloe now recognized the man. She saw him often on television because he dated a lot of female celebrities, and he happened to be the second son of the Gray Family-- Vincent's younger brother.
"Vernon? Vernon Phoenix Gray?"
"Yes, it's me," Vernon nodded. He smiled at Chloe, "You still remember my full name even. It's been a while, Sister-in-law."
Too long, Chloe had thought she would never meet this man again. Ever since he had a falling out with his family, there was a rift between them. This is the first time in 10 years that he had actually attended his mother's birthday party.
To her, Vernon was like a cute little brother.When they first met, he was only 7 years old, but he suddenly left to study abroad a few days after Chloe and Vincent got married. No one heard from him for a whole 7 years, until he finally returned to start a business.
Vernon was 25 now.
Despite knowing all this, Chloe never talked with him even after he returned, because she was too busy dealing with her own problems.
"Vernon, why are you here?"
"Well, it's my mother's birthday. I just want to say hello and leave, because of business calls." Vernon replied lightly. He stared at Chloe before commenting, "But enough about me, I saw you crying after leaving my mother's room. Did something happen?"
"Ah, it's… it's nothing, just a little argument there," Chloe replied as she quickly wiped the tears at the edge of her eyes. "Then you should meet her soon. Your mother must've been waiting for you. I'll have to leave now. I have something to do."
Chloe sidestepped Vernon as she wanted to leave this hellish place as soon as possible, but Vernon suddenly grabbed her wrist, "Sister-in-law, wait!"
Chloe turned around spontaneously, "Yes?"
Vernon fished his business card out of his pocket and put it on Chloe's palm, "We've never talked even after my return to the state. I want to catch up with you, maybe you can call me later? I can always help you if you need anything, including a job."
'A job?' Chloe frowned. 'Why would he offer me a job? Did Vincent tell him about our divorce, or is my face saying it all?'
"Well, if you need anything, call my office. I'll be off to see Mother now, take care, sister-in-law."
Vernon released Chloe's wrist and walked away with his confident— and somewhat arrogant gait. Chloe looked at his back until he entered Dorothea's room, and the door was closed.
"Vernon, why did he suddenly attend the party? I thought he already cut contact with everyone…." Chloe wondered. She checked the business card that Vernon handed.
—
Vernon Phoenix Gray
President & CEO
Goldenstar Inc.
Office: (212) 193 - 1987
—
"19… 3… 1987? Isn't that…" Chloe frowned when she read the office phone number. But she shook her head quickly to dispel the thought. "No, that couldn't be. That's probably just a coincidence."