His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 458

Liam sat on the edge of the metal cot, his head bowed. The cheap T-shirt he had bought from a street vendor was completely drenched in sweat, clinging uncomfortably to his skin.

His face was covered in thick stubble, and his signature gold-rimmed glasses—once a symbol of his status—were smudged with fingerprints.

"I contacted a smuggler. In a few days, when the heat dies down a bit, we'll take a boat out and catch a connecting flight. Once we do..."

"In a few days! In a few days! Is telling me to wait the only thing you know how to do?!" Chloe burst into a hysterical sobbing fit, digging her fingers into her hair and pulling fiercely at the roots. "I've had enough! I can't stay here for another second! I used to wear high fashion, I used to eat at Michelin-star restaurants, and look at me now!"

Liam walked over and pulled her into his arms, biting down his own frustration.

"Chloe, just hold on a little longer. Once we're out of the country, everything will be fine."

The foul stench radiating off him—a mixture of sour sweat and mold—hit her nose, making her stomach churn violently. She shoved him away and began to dry heave.

"Don't touch me! You stink!"

Liam froze in place, his face turning an ashen gray. He let out a heavy sigh. More than his own inability to handle a life of poverty, he hated seeing Chloe endure it.

"You rest. I'll go out and find something to eat."

With that, he turned and left the basement.

...

At the South Hill villa, a little past 10:00 PM.

Archer returned after finishing his work on a major project, visibly exhausted.

A warm yellow lamp was on in the bedroom. Virginia, wearing a light pink silk nightgown, leaned against the headboard reading a book. Her porcelain skin glowed with a luminous sheen under the soft light.

Archer walked out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Drops of water trailed down his sharply defined muscles, disappearing past the edge of the towel.

He smelled deeply of a clean, refreshing body wash.

He walked over, smoothly slipped the book from her hands, and leaned his large frame over her. "Virginia, it's getting late..."

Three days later, inside an exclusive high-end private club at the top of a city center high-rise.

Clementine Sherwood, holding a glass of champagne and wearing a stunning, bold red designer dress, wove her way through the crowd.

She had specifically organized tonight's gathering, inviting all the prominent heirs and socialites in the city's elite circle.

Her only goal was to make sure everyone knew exactly what kind of trash Chloe really was!

"I never would have guessed. The second Caldwell daughter always looked so weak and helpless, but she actually dared to hire someone for murder behind the scenes?" A socialite in the latest designer fashion clicked her tongue, her face full of disbelief.

"Second Caldwell daughter, please. She's just a wanted criminal now."

"Did any of you hear the rumors? Besides the Vanderbilts, the Kendricks are running around like ants on a hot pan. They're secretly spending a fortune trying to track them down."

"I heard Mr. Vanderbilt put the word out himself. Anyone who dares to help those two is making an enemy out of the Vanderbilt Group. But Chloe brought this on herself. Who told her to be so vicious? The horrific things she did to the oldest Caldwell daughter behind everyone's backs!"