His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 439

"Do you remember? When I had that terrible fever at six years old, you stayed awake by my side for two days and nights. You told me I was your entire world. And when I went on stage for the first time at ten, you cried harder in the audience than I did. You said I was your greatest pride..."

Chloe sobbed, her voice trembling as she kept speaking. Madeline felt a terrible ache in her chest, squeezing her eyes shut against the intense burning of tears.

"I remember all of it." Tears slid from Madeline's eyes as she gently pulled her arm free, pointing at the bandages on Chloe's wrist. "But look at what you're doing now. You bribed a doctor and used fake blood to deceive everyone. Chloe, do you really have to trample all our genuine love underfoot to be satisfied?"

"Mom! I didn't want to!" Chloe wept, looking utterly heartbroken. "The moment Virginia returned, all of your attention shifted to her! I just wanted Archer back by my side! I just wanted to take back what belongs to me! What did I do wrong?!"

Madeline trembled with rage at her twisted, entitled logic. "You... you are being completely unreasonable!"

"Unreasonable? I've called you Mom for nearly twenty years, but the moment Virginia returned, you and Dad practically threw me away. Archer instantly moved on and fell for the newcomer. And what about me? I fell from heaven straight into hell, becoming nothing more than an unwanted burden..."

Chloe spoke with such devastating sorrow and bitterness that it absolutely shattered Madeline's heart.

"What are you saying?" Madeline pulled her into a hug, her tears breaking like a dam. "I raised you since you were a little girl. How could your father and I ever abandon you?"

Chloe wrapped her arms tightly around Madeline, crying hysterically. "Mom, you're all I have left. I only have you and Dad. Please don't give up on me..."

Feeling the girl shivering violently against her out of pure fear and agitation, Madeline's hardened resolve finally crumbled.

She closed her eyes in defeat as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

Once the mother and daughter had calmed down, Madeline walked Chloe back to the ward and told her to pack her things.

Chloe didn't argue. She knew her fake suicide had been exposed, meaning she had zero excuse to stay in the hospital any longer.

Using the excuse of handling the discharge paperwork, Madeline called Archer again.

A knock sounded at the door.

Upon receiving permission, Evelyn pushed the door open and walked in.

She wore a perfectly tailored champagne silk shirt paired with a black pencil skirt, her long hair pinned up elegantly at the back of her head, giving her a sharp yet maturely feminine charm.

"Mr. Vanderbilt." She walked up to the desk and handed over a report. "This is the final test data. Please take a look."

Archer didn't take it, merely glancing at the cover. "Zachary already briefed me. Good work."

Evelyn pressed her lips together, folding her hands delicately in front of her to look poised and professional.

"To achieve this breakthrough, the entire team pulled several all-nighters. Tonight, I'd like to invite you out for a casual dinner on behalf of the tech team, and perhaps we could discuss further architectural optimizations..."