His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 391

Archer Vanderbilt frowned.

Just then, a faint noise came from the top of the stairs.

Chloe Caldwell appeared, her face pale and her hair falling loosely over her shoulders. Wearing an oversized pure white nightgown, she walked down the stairs, holding Toby Vanderbilt's hand.

Toby wore a handsome button-down shirt and suit pants with suspenders. He kept his head lowered, his small body pressed tightly against Chloe's leg. He looked timid, completely lacking his earlier liveliness.

"Archer," Chloe stopped at the bottom of the steps, her voice weak. "Don't blame Mom. I was the one who asked Toby to stay. I was scared... Having him with me is the only thing that makes me feel a little safer."

Archer absolutely despised her manipulative schemes. But seeing her trembling, fragile state, his mind involuntarily flashed back to the memory of that frail body struggling to save his life all those years ago.

Ultimately, compassion softened his resolve.

"Keeping him cooped up in the house isn't good for his education or his psychological recovery," he said, standing up, his voice cold and detached. "I'll have Zachary Cole hire the best private tutors. They will come over every day for his lessons."

Chloe's eyes lit up, a glimmer of hope flashing in her gaze.

She knew Archer wouldn't truly abandon them. He was just angry right now. As long as she took good care of Toby, Archer would definitely change his mind!

Archer walked over to Toby and scooped the little boy up into his arms. He turned to Madeline Caldwell. "Mrs. Caldwell, I'll have to trouble you to look after Toby from now on."

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of him."

After saying that, Madeline rubbed her aching temples. She felt incredibly helpless regarding Chloe's actions.

Archer ruffled Toby's hair. "I'll take you to play with Cynthia today."

The little boy's sad eyes visibly brightened at the mention of that name. His small hands quietly gripped Archer's shirt collar.

...

She had only glanced up briefly when they entered. Afterward, she lowered her head and went back to snapping her Lego pieces onto the rest of the blocks.

She didn't ask a single question. She didn't even show a hint of emotion.

Archer clenched his fists and turned to head upstairs.

A short while later, he stood at the second-floor landing, looking slightly awkward. Resting one hand on the mahogany railing, he gazed down at the somewhat harmonious scene below and finally spoke.

"Virginia. I forgot where I put that dark blue striped tie. Do you know where it is?"

Virginia didn't say a word. She stood up, brushed nonexistent dust from her hands, and walked upstairs in complete silence.

She brushed past him at the top of the stairs, showing no intention of stopping.

As she walked by, a faint, delicate scent of white tea drifted in the air. Archer's gaze darkened as he followed her into the room.