His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 457

A sharp sting of emotion pricked at the corners of Virginia's eyes.

Helena's concern was entirely genuine, but Virginia was clear-headed and rational now. She wasn't going to let a few sweet words cloud her judgment.

Everything she had been through had given her an avoidant attachment style. Even though she knew the older woman meant well, she couldn't just drop her past grievances and fully embrace the relationship right away.

"Aunt Helena, I understand what you're saying." Virginia subtly withdrew her hands and rested them on her knees.

Helena was an experienced woman; how could she not see Virginia's resistance?

Her eyes filled with a pained understanding, but she kept her expression calm and unbothered. "It's alright. I won't pressure you. But... since the truth about Cynthia is out in the open now, could you let her come spend time with me more often?"

Virginia was stunned.

It seemed Helena had absolutely no intention of fighting her for custody of Cynthia.

"Of course," she said, breathing a slight sigh of relief and offering a small smile.

...

The next morning, inside the Vanderbilt Group Executive Office.

Archer sat in his massive leather chair, his face unreadable. His dark gray tailored shirt accentuated his aristocratic, utterly untouchable aura.

Zachary Cole pushed the door open, carrying a stack of files.

"Mr. Vanderbilt, the police are still running a sweep. Liam Kendrick is very careful. As of right now... they haven't pinpointed their exact location."

Liam and Chloe were being exceptionally cautious. It had been days, meaning they should be completely out of cash by now, yet there hadn't been a single credit card transaction logged to either of them.

"However, per your instructions, the projects under the Kendricks' name have been completely blocked. It's only a matter of time before their cash flow runs dry. Word is that Chairman Kendrick has already started panicking and dispatched people to hunt down Liam's whereabouts."

Archer rubbed his prayer beads, his dark eyes as deep and cold as the abyss. "Add more men and keep searching. Keep eyes on every single exit out of this city. Not even a fly gets out!"

Inside a pitch-black basement in The Docks District.

It was the peak of summer, and the basement was suffocatingly hot, sticky, and humid, with beads of water seeping through the concrete walls.

The entire space reeked of a nauseating mix of rotting garbage and mold.

Chloe was wearing a cheap, oversized T-shirt stained with grease. Her perfectly maintained, silky hair had lost all its shine and was now clumped in oily, matted tangles.

Her once delicate hands, which had never seen a hard day's work, were now stained with dirt. Her fresh French manicure had snapped off, and grime was packed thickly under her nails...

She screamed as she swept the cup of instant noodles off the table, her eyes wide with unhinged panic. "How much longer do we have to wait?! You told me we'd be out of here soon!"

She had enjoyed endless pampering her entire life. She was a rising star in the international classical piano scene. Her hands were meant to play the piano, and now she was reduced to this!

The sheer contrast between the heavens and the gutter was driving her absolutely insane.