His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 35

She paused for a second, her gaze clear and distant. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Vanderbilt. I'm perfectly fine.”

With that, she walked straight out.

Archer's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He pulled his focus back and looked down at his documents again.

He read two lines, but absolutely nothing registered in his brain.

His mind began to drift.

Whenever he bumped into Virginia at the clinic over the past two days—whether it was brushing past each other in the corridor or exchanging brief, clinical updates in the room—he felt an inexplicable sense of comfort, mixed with a strange restlessness.

They hardly spoke a word to each other, yet sharing the same space with her, even in total silence, felt vastly better than anything else.

For a man who had lived his entire twenty-eight years with cold rationality and strict rules, this sensation left him profoundly confused.

...

Two days later. Morning.

Virginia signed out at the nurses' station, headed back to her office to hang up her white coat, and got ready to leave.

She had pulled the night shift yesterday, and with handover complete, she was officially off the clock.

As soon as she walked out of the commercial building, she spotted the familiar Maybach parked near the entrance. Leaning against the hood was Valentin, dressed in sharp navy casual wear, one hand shoved into his pocket and the other holding a bouquet of white lisianthus.

His outfit today stripped away his usual corporate sharpness, replacing it with something relaxed, approachable, and... incredibly flashy.

Virginia couldn't help but smile, suddenly feeling like he resembled a peacock showing off its feathers.

The moment she stepped out, she caught his attention. A massive grin spread across Valentin's face as he closed the distance with his long legs and presented the flowers.

“Off work?”

Virginia took the bouquet, taking a small sniff. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard you were on the night shift, so I came to pick you up.” Valentin's tone was breezy, though his eyes held a deeper intensity. “I figured you haven't eaten yet. I booked a table. Great view. Care to join me?”

George's brow furrowed, but recognition hit him instantly—Valentin, the only son of the elite Hunter family and the current CEO of Hunter Group!

Madeline, having spent years navigating high-society circles, clearly knew of the legendary figure as well. Her expression shifted immediately, and she plastered on a radiant smile. “You must be the Valentin that Cindy talks so much about!”

Valentin smiled softly, neither confirming nor denying.

Archer's face remained completely expressionless, but the highly sensitive Chloe felt the sudden tension vibrating through his body.

She bit her bottom lip, shooting a venomous glare at Virginia.

Why was this bitch so lucky? Why did she command so much of Archer's attention? And what right did she have to know the future heir of the Hunter family? What exactly was their relationship!?

“Mrs. Caldwell.” Valentin was polite but distinctly aloof, keeping a cool, detached smile on his face.

His gaze subtly swept over the group.

Chloe was being treated like royalty by the entire family, while Virginia, the actual biological daughter of the Caldwells, was standing several feet away with him—an outsider—completely ignored by her own parents.