His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 372

Archer frowned at her, feeling as though he were looking at a complete stranger.

"I was forced! You all pushed me into this!" Chloe bawled, descending into hysterical shrieks.

Just then, the suite door burst open.

Madeline Caldwell stood in the doorway holding a soup thermos, her face ashen.

It was glaringly obvious she had overheard the commotion from the hall.

"Chloe..." she stammered, eyes wide with disbelief. "You... you're cured? So this whole time—the manic episodes, attacking people with scissors, the suicide attempts—it was all an act?"

Chloe froze, whipping her head around in panic. "Mom, please let me explain. I..."

"You fool!" Madeline cried in agony, tears cascading down her face.

Madeline had always believed that her pampered daughter had suffered a mental breakdown from the shock of Virginia returning to the family, eventually fleeing overseas where she fell ill out of pure heartbreak.

Because of this, alongside a mother's natural devotion, Madeline harbored a deep-seated guilt toward her, spending countless sleepless nights agonizing over their complicated bond.

And yet... it turned out to be nothing more than a vicious, calculated scam!

Archer couldn't be bothered to entertain the circus any longer.

He adjusted his cuffs, his expression returning to its usual icy detachment.

"For the sake of you saving my life back then, this is my final act of tolerance toward you," he stated, his voice heavy and completely void of emotion.

"From this day forward, the Vanderbilt family has absolutely nothing to do with you. You're on your own."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode toward the exit.

"Archer! Don't leave!"

Utterly panicked now, Chloe scrambled after him, but her gown tangled around her legs, sending her crashing hard onto the linoleum floor.

The door swung open, and Archer stepped out on his long legs.

He was dressed in a silver-gray tailored shirt with no tie, the sleeves casually rolled to his forearms, the luxury watch on his wrist catching the harsh afternoon light.

Even just standing there, the sheer authority radiating from him was impossible to ignore.

Virginia gave him a cursory glance before looking away, heading straight for the rideshare pickup zone as if he didn't exist.

Archer frowned, taking a few long strides to block her path.

"Virginia," he said hoarsely. Exhaustion bled through his tone, and a heavy, unresolved gloom settled over his striking features.

Virginia stopped and looked up at him, her expression as calm as a placid lake.

"Can I help you?"