'Did she hide something from me? Or am I just overthinking?' Vernon pondered for a second. 'Why would she hide something from me anyway? Was she in danger? Did Maria threaten her about something?'

Suspicions were flashing in Vernon's mind. He knew that he was probably overthinking most of them. But he wouldn't underestimate how cruel Vincent and his cronies could be.

He also had to put consideration on Chloe. Although she seemed to have opened up to him, Vernon knew there were layers of trust in Chloe.

She might trust him at the surface level, but she still hid many things from him.

Vernon's chest felt heavy as he realized he had a long way to fully obtain the love and trust of his beloved woman.

Not wanting to dwell on his sadness for too long, Vernon asked, "What did you talk about with that old hag?"

"Uhm... nothing much..." Chloe replied. "I kept explaining to her that Vincent was the one who cheated on me. But she still insisted that my explanation didn't matter. Because in the end, people will believe Vincent more...."

Chloe lowered her head pitifully. She knew that Vernon would eventually discover his Big bro's sins from her, no matter how much she tried to cover up for that bastard.

"I see..." Vernon's breath heaved, and he crossed his arms. "Do you know that you're being recorded the whole time?"

"RECORDED?!" Chloe snapped in an instant. "D--Did that old hag recorded me the whole time?"

"She did," Vernon confirmed. "Both audio and video recording. She has it all."

Chloe gasped, and she covered her mouth out of shock. She never expected that old hag to scheme her like this.

From Chloe's reaction, Vernon assumed she was utterly oblivious to the extent of the old woman's cunning nature.

"Well, there is nothing we can do about that. But are you sure that you don't talk about something serious with her?"

"N--Not at all!" Chloe shook her head fervently. "We're just talking about Vincent's cheating, that's all!"

"Mhm, that's relieving to hear," Vernon was worried about the recording. He was scared that Chloe might say something that could be used against her in case she went to court for her divorce later. "I've asked Diamond to get you a new car. You'll be driving a new car starting tomorrow, so you won't be recognized easily."

"Ah-- New car?"

"Yes, we don't know what kind of problem will arise later, so it's best to take measures," Vernon said solemnly. Honestly, his heart was bleeding when he told these sentences to Chloe.

Because it also proved his weakness and incompetency.

He was still weak compared to his Big brother, and he knew that if Vincent realized the whole truth now, the company he had built from the bottom would crumble instantly.

And to top it all off, Vincent would definitely force Chloe to return to his side and get abused again, 'I won't forgive myself if that really happens...'

'I have to work faster to snatch even more people from his side. So when the time comes, it'll be too late for Vincent to snatch Chloe back.'

"We can move to my other apartment, or perhaps buy a new property, so you'd be safe from him," Vernon said. "But the problem is with Mackie. I'm not sure if we should send her to another school or go with homeschooling instead."

"H--Hold on, Vernon--" Chloe stopped as she started getting overwhelmed by Vernon's words. "I--I don't understand...."

"About what?"

"About you um... wanting to buy me a new car, finding a new apartment, and about Mackie. Y--You know that you're going to anger Vincent once he finds out about this, right?"

"I know," Vernon said. "That's why we're taking measures for now."

Chloe was stunned at how easily Vernon answered such a heavy question. Vernon's current attitude gave off the idea that he knew well what he was going into.

'Does he intend to go against his Big brother?!'

Chloe's heart started beating rapidly as she found that idea to be extremely brave, yet stupid at the same time.

"V--Vernon, you're speaking crazy right now! You shouldn't go against him! He will kill you!" Chloe warned. She started panicking as she realized that she might be the reason for Vernon's downfall.

'OH MY GOD, what did I do?!' Chloe blamed herself in her heart. 'I shouldn't have met with Maria. Now Vernon's life will be ruined because of me!'

"I'm not speaking crazy," Vernon said solemnly. His eyes stared straight at Chloe, and there was no trace of fear in his eyes. He wanted her to know that he was not scared because he had planned everything since Chloe married Vincent.

"I know that I am going against him if I want to protect you," Vernon confirmed Chloe's fear, and her face paled instantly.

Chloe felt weak as if her blood had been drained out of her body. She started sweating cold beads, and she couldn't help but clench her skirt.

She was swept away by fear in an instant. The fear heightened when she kept thinking about Vernon, who would lose everything simply because he was kind enough to help her at her lowest.

Her sight started to get blurry as she could faint anytime right now. Vernon realized that Chloe's response was unnatural.

He knew that Chloe was traumatized by so many abuses she experienced, but this kind of reaction was too much.

She couldn't even stand the idea that someone would go against Vincent.

Thus, Vernon got up and walked towards her. He kneeled again, just like before, and checked on Chloe by holding her hands.

'Her palms--' Vernon was surprised at how much cold sweat she excreted in her palms. He looked up and saw Chloe's disoriented expression, and her body trembled harder as time passed.

Just from one look, Vernon knew that Chloe had a panic attack, and he didn't know how to deal with this.

"Chloe?" Vernon called her name, trying to snap her out, but it didn't seem to work.