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"So you're ready to get fired, huh? It will be difficult for you to get a job as long as I told all my connections to refuse your application," Vernon threatened.

Usually, this kind of threat would be very effective against Diamond, and Diamond was logical enough to know that she wouldn't get the same amount of salary working somewhere else.

Most of the time, Diamond didn't care about Mr. Phoenix Gray's personal problem. She just did what she was told by her boss.

But this time was different because it involved her best friend, whom she treasured. Even though she and Chloe had only known each other for a few months, she already knew that Chloe was a good woman who didn't have any ill intentions toward her.

So she felt obligated to defend her homegirl.

Vernon watched Diamond get silenced after he threatened her, so he assumed she had conceded and would obey him.

"So, are you ready to assist me?"

"No," Diamond refused.

"WHAT?!" Vernon's eyes widened. He didn't expect Diamond-- who had been a very good 'no-question-asked' secretary to actually rebel against him so far that she didn't even care about his threat.

"Sir, I will not help you, not until you tell me what you did to her last night. Because I knew something terrible had happened," Diamond said.

...

Vernon sighed. He really didn't want to tell anyone because he was still ridden with guilt.

But if that would help him to get closer to Chloe...

"Fine, but promise me that you will help me after this."

"Depends on the story, Sir."

Vernon's brows twitched. He might've been too lenient on her. That was why Diamond could be so blunt.

"FINE! I will tell you everything!"

"Good, I'm listening."

...

Vernon took a deep breath and started retelling the important bits, "When I came home, Chloe was waiting for me. She's telling me not to get close with Vincent as he's not a good person, she said."

"I realize that could be my chance to know her secret without needing to get close to her."

"But the more she tried to back off and got nervous, the more I wanted to push her so she'd tell me," Vernon said. "Thus, she decided to get up and leave, and I hugged her from behind and gently told her that I will never hurt her."

"And she... reacted strongly...."

"She struggled and bit my wrist--" Vernon pulled his sleeve to show the teeth mark. "--And when I released her, she fell face first on the floor. She was crying... but there was no sobs. It was a silent cry."

"And..." Vernon felt heavy when he had to mention this last part. Because this was the real moment he knew about the abuse;

"He called me Vincent."

...

Diamond closed her eyes, and even with a short retelling from her boss, she could already imagine the scene, including the extreme fear caused by the trauma that Chloe experienced last night.

"B--But I didn't hurt her at all! I've been very gentle to her. I--I just don't know what I did wrong to accidentally trigger her," Vernon defended himself.

Diamond opened her eyes and stared at her boss, "Sir, there are many triggers that might cause someone with trauma to overreact. What Chloe did was self-defense in her mind, because she didn't want to get hurt."

"Besides..." Diamond observed her boss from head to toe. "You're obviously Vincent Gray, but bigger, scarier, and also with anger issues. Of course she will mistake you as a scarier version of her ex-husband."

"But I didn't even yell at her last night!" Vernon was pissed when he got compared with his Big brother.

"You yelled at her many times before, and that must've been imprinted in her mind," Diamond said ruthlessly. "In fact, I am also the same, Sir. When you're angry for no real reason, I can only stay back and watch you destroy things. Do you think that kind of behavior will be attractive to a woman?"

"What the--"

"So, if you want to slowly gain her trust, try to be more gentle and assure her that you wont' hurt her," Diamond said. "Try not to stand and look down at her, you're scaring everyone. Don't you remember when we went to a charity party with orphans and you made all the kids literally cried because you smirked at them?"

Vernon remembered that moment clearly. He didn't like kids, but he had to put up a good face as it was a huge charity company with many of his business partners.

But his intimidating figure and scary face made all the kids cry.

"Try to sit down while talking to her, so she wouldn't feel so intimidated," Diamond said.

Vernon took a mental note of that idea seriously. Though, he thought it was ridiculous that he had to sit down to look less intimidating, and he doubted it would work.

But he had to try everything if that meant it would help Chloe open up to him.

"I know that she has been abused, but since he doesn't speak a thing about it, can you tell me instead?" Vernon asked.

"No, Sir," Diamond refused firmly. "Chloe has all the right to tell you about that, and I will never spill it without her consent."

"Ugh, darn it."

Diamond sighed, but she was relieved that Mr. Phoenix Gray seemed to have opened up a little, even willing to talk in a civilized manner without being angry for the first ten seconds.

But, she also wanted to test something;

"You should work hard to make her fall in love with you. But I know my homegirl is a great woman who is perfect for you, Sir," Diamond said.

'I bet no girls would tolerate you and your temper and sloppiness except Chloe. She's a real gold, seriously--' Diamond said in her heart.

Vernon's cheeks turned red instantly, he felt an explosion in his heart, but he didn't want to show it in front of Diamond.

"W--WHY WOULD I FALL IN LOVE WITH MY OWN SISTER-IN-LAW?!"