His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 453

"I couldn't stand seeing her steal everything from me! I couldn't stand seeing her succeed! And I definitely couldn't stand seeing her happier than I was!" Chloe closed in on her, her face twisted in malice. "I wanted her to suffer, I wanted her reputation ruined, I wanted her dead!!"

"You're insane, you've completely lost your mind..." Madeline's tears fell silently as she lunged forward to grab Chloe's arm. "Come with me to the police station and turn yourself in. Please, I'm begging you, turn yourself in..."

"Get away from me!"

Chloe shoved her away with an impatient, violent thrust. Madeline stepped in the slippery soup on the floor, lost her balance, and collapsed heavily.

Her forehead crashed against the edge of a mahogany plant stand. Blood instantly ran down the side of her face, staining the expensive rug crimson.

Chloe didn't even spare her a second glance. She turned, snatched her Birkin bag from the sofa, and sprinted out in her high heels.

"Let's go! What the hell are you waiting for?! Do you want the cops to arrest us?!" she screamed at Liam.

Liam cast one look at Madeline on the floor, gritted his teeth, and quickly followed Chloe out the door.

...

Vanderbilt Group Executive Office.

Archer stood in front of the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at the sprawling, bustling city below.

He wore a dark gray tailored shirt. Without a tie, his collar was left slightly open, revealing his sharp, pale collarbone. His fingers rhythmically rotated the prayer beads he never took off.

Julian Caldwell lounged on the sofa, spinning a custom fountain pen in his hand, his tone carrying a hint of casual indifference.

"The police missed them. By the time they raided the Caldwell Estate, they'd been gone for ten minutes. Mrs. Caldwell hit her head and was taken to the hospital, but she'll be fine."

Archer didn't stop turning his beads, his back as straight and unyielding as a pine tree.

"What about the roads out of the city?" he asked, his eyes half-closed, his tone betraying no emotion.

"Locked down, just as you ordered." Julian stopped spinning the pen, dropping his playful attitude. "When Mr. Vanderbilt gives an order, who in this city wouldn't respect it? Airports, train stations, highway tolls, even the backroads have eyes on them. They aren't getting out."

"Tear up the city if you have to. Find them."

She was exhausted.

She already knew what Chloe and Liam had done and that they were now wanted fugitives.

When people were pushed into a corner, they often did unimaginable things. Deep down, she couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of anxiety.

"Chloe and Liam ran?"

She picked up her glass of warm water, took a sip, and blurted out the question.

"Yes," Archer didn't try to hide it. "They're still in the city; they can't escape. I've had Zachary double the security detail around you and Cynthia. You don't have to worry—I won't let the past repeat itself!"

"...I see. Let's eat."

Virginia lowered her eyes, picked up her fork, and grabbed some greens.