His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 446

Archer frowned slightly. He opened a drawer and pulled out a transparent evidence bag containing two strands of hair with intact follicles.

"Run it again." He slid the bag toward the edge of the desk. "Use three different professional labs."

Thinking of something, he tapped the desk. "Make sure they have absolutely zero affiliation with the Caldwells or Liam Kendrick."

Zachary's expression hardened, instantly grasping the gravity of the situation.

"Boss, you suspect the previous results were..."

"Expedite it," Archer cut him off. "You oversee this personally. The second the results are out, bring them straight to me."

"Understood!"

Zachary took the bag with both hands, spun on his heel, and hurried out.

As the door clicked shut, Archer leaned back heavily in his leather chair.

......

Three days later, in the morning.

The sky outside was an ominous grey, and the air pressure inside the executive office was suffocating.

Zachary knocked and entered holding three unmarked manila envelopes, a fine layer of sweat coating his forehead.

"Boss, the results from all three labs are in."

Archer stared at the envelopes. His jaw tightened, the veins in the hand resting on his armrest bulging.

"Leave them. Get out."

Zachary set the envelopes down and respectfully backed out of the room, leaving Archer completely alone in the massive office.

He stared at the envelopes. It took him several long minutes before he slowly extended his hand.

Tearing open the first envelope, he skipped the pages of complex data and flipped straight to the conclusion on the last page.

[Based on DNA analysis, a biological father-daughter relationship is confirmed.]

Archer's breath hitched. His movements sped up, frantically ripping into the second envelope, then the third.

"Yes, sir! I'm on it!"

......

Just past six in the evening at South Hill.

The living room was blanketed in a thick cashmere rug. Cynthia sat cross-legged on the floor, frowning as she studied a set of Lego instructions.

The front door swung open, and Archer strode in. He didn't even bother taking off his shoes. Tossing his suit jacket onto the sofa, he walked straight over and knelt beside the little girl.

Looking down at the tiny bundle in front of him, the emotion in his eyes was so intense it threatened to spill over.

"You're home, Mr. Vanderbilt!"

Cynthia held up a Lego block, pouting her lips. "This is too hard."

Archer didn't take the block. Instead, he reached out and pulled the little girl tightly into his arms.

He held her a little too tightly, consumed by the fierce protectiveness of a man holding a reclaimed treasure.