Chapter 20

Chloe sat limply on the toilet seat for a while. She felt hopeless, too hopeless, that she started thinking if she could ever escape from that bastard Vincent Gray.

He blocked her way out. She had no job, no way to pay for her daughter's tuition, and no money, even if she filed a lawsuit for child neglect. Technically, what Vincent said was true. He would give her all the money, as long as she was willing to meet him again. The court would probably advise marriage counseling instead.

Because Vincent never hurt her physically, the court would think of this as a regular couple fight.

But Chloe also felt that meeting Vincent would only lead to her demise, she didn't know what he would do, but she refused to meet that shithead again.

Thus, she was already out of options… except that one…

Chloe wiped the tears before leaving the bedroom in case Mackie suddenly woke up.

Chloe opened her bag and took the business card handed to her before she stomped out of the CEO's office.

—

Vernon Phoenix Gray

917 - 111 - xxxx

—

There was no occupation, address, et cetera. It was just a simple card that showed the name and number.

Honestly, Chloe hesitated to call this man. He was no different than Vincent. They were both the same perverts in a different bodies. They also shared the same view of women, thinking they were nothing but a tool to vent their demons.

"Those Gray brothers really know how to play with a desperate woman like me…." Chloe mumbled and preferred if she didn't need to call anyone right now.

But she really needed money right now, no matter what. This was for the sake of Mackie's study and wellbeing.

Chloe closed her eyes to brace herself before calling the demon who offered her the contract to sell her body. She glanced at Mackie, who was sleeping on the bed, and reassured herself, "I will do whatever it takes. This is for my daughter, even if that means I have to… sell my body to the devil."

Chloe entered Vernon's number and called. She called her three times until Vernon finally picked up the call.

—

"Good evening, Sister-in-law," Vernon greeted with his magnetic voice. Judging by his playful tone, he seemed to be well aware of something. "I suppose you're calling me because of that job offer, right?"

"Y—Yeah," Chloe replied. She tried to sound more polite, knowing that she licked her own spit in less than a day and called him out of desperation.

"I… I will accept the offer," Chloe replied. She fidgeted as her body burned out of shame from head to toe. "I will… I will do anything as long as I get the money…."

"Hmm, I mean, I've always wanted to know the sensation of fucking my own sister-in-law," Vernon replied.

"Then can I—"

"—But I got a call from my Big brother about three hours ago. Now the case is different."

Chloe's scalp went numb. She already guessed that Vincent would've called his little brother first. They might not have the best relationship, but they were still brothers. So it was pretty obvious whose side Vernon would take.

"He called me, saying that he wants me not to accept you had you come to my office. He wants you to make sure that you're not going to get in my office," Vernon informed. He sounded convincing enough that Chloe believed it instantly. "I'm not sure if I want to play with you now, Sister-in-law. I don't want to get to his bad side. He is the one who owns Gray's businesses, not me."

"P—Please, Vernon, I really need your help! Please just ignore Vincent's words and let me work in your office instead!" Chloe said on the phone. "Vincent has stopped two companies from hiring me, preventing me from getting any job for Mackenzie!"

"Damn, he would abuse his power to stop anyone from hiring you?" Vernon gawked, playing alone with Chloe, who was desperate for the job she turned down a few hours ago. "What a vile man. I didn't know that my brother would use his power to bully you!."

"That's why…." Chloe leaned on the wall, trying to stay calm as she felt her chance was getting slimmer. "Please take me in. I really need the job…."

"If I hire you, that means I will be facing my brother's wrath," Vernon said. "But, let's see if you're worthy of all the troubles. Come to my office tomorrow morning. I will have to test you first."

"T—Test? What kind—"

"Have a good sleep, Sister-in-law."

Beep.

"Damn it!" Chloe cursed as she felt her knees getting weaker. She sat on the floor, folding her legs and burying her face in her thighs. She was scared of what Vernon would do to her tomorrow.

She wished that Vernon was not the monster like his Big brother. But at the same time, her gut feeling told her that Vernon was no different than Vincent. He might be even worse than that unfeeling bastard.

Chloe was so done dealing with the Gray family. But she had no way out now. Nobody would help her except Vernon Phoenix Gray.

Chloe crawled to the bed and laid beside Mackenzie who was sleeping soundly.

She kissed her daughter's cheek and reminded herself, "This is for my daughter. Everything is for her, even if I have to—"

Chloe had no gut to say that she would become a prostitute to the young Gray, especially in front of her daughter. So she closed her eyes and wished that everything was just a nightmare.