His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 441

Archer Vanderbilt's vision blurred. His mind was in a thick haze, registering only the faint, pungent scent of cheap perfume.

......

It was past ten at night at South Hill.

Virginia Caldwell had just finished her shower. She sat at her vanity in a dark green silk slip dress, gently drying her damp hair with a towel.

Her phone buzzed beside her with a multimedia message from an unknown number.

Opening it, she saw a photo taken against the backdrop of a hotel bed. Archer lay asleep on the pillows with a light summer blanket draped over him, out cold.

Evelyn Snow was lying on her side next to him, half her face pressed against his pale shoulder, deliberately showing off a red mark on her neck.

Virginia froze. Her eyes lingered on the photo for a few seconds as her grip on the phone tightened.

The next second, a call came through.

Her gaze darkened slightly before she answered.

"Ms. Caldwell," Evelyn's voice came through the receiver, laced with forced shyness and a raspy edge. "Mr. Vanderbilt had a bit too much to drink tonight. He's with me now."

Virginia stared blankly into the space ahead of her, saying nothing.

Thinking she had intimidated her, Evelyn felt a surge of smugness and grew bolder.

"There's no denying he loved you once. But you're getting older, and he prefers me—young and obedient. The cracks between you two are already there, and you'll never make it to the end. Why cling to a spot that isn't yours instead of just walking away?"

Virginia placed the towel on the table and grabbed a jacket, slipping it over her shoulders. "Address."

Her voice was completely devoid of emotion, but a clear flicker of anger danced in her cold eyes.

On the other end, Evelyn paused, a sudden wave of unprovoked panic rising in her chest.

"Why... why do you want to know?"

Room 1608.

Zachary Cole was already waiting by the door with the keycard and a few men. The moment the two women arrived, he swiped the card and pushed the door open.

The suite's main lights were off, leaving only a dim yellow glow from the bedside lamp.

Evelyn had just straightened her clothes and was sitting by the edge of the bed, staring at the sleeping man with an infatuated look. Hearing the noise, she shot up.

When she saw who had walked in, all the color drained from her face.

Virginia's gaze bypassed her entirely and landed on the bed.

Archer lay there. His suit jacket was tossed carelessly onto the sofa, but beneath the thin blanket, his patterned shirt was perfectly intact, the tie not even loosened.

The sheets were slightly rumpled, but there was no sign of any actual intimacy.