His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 466

But faced with that chilling indifference that pushed her a thousand miles away, she couldn't summon a single ounce of courage to speak.

"Archer, could I trouble you to watch Toby for the afternoon? I... I'll come pick him up later," she trembled, too humiliated to stay a moment longer.

"Zachary, walk Mrs. Caldwell out," Archer commanded smoothly, not offering her a second glance.

Madeline swallowed her bitter sorrow. With heavy steps, she turned and walked out the villa gates.

...

Upstairs in the playroom.

The central air conditioning blew a perfect, cool breeze, and a plush Persian rug covered the floor.

Cynthia, wearing a pink cotton dress, grabbed a Lego figure and crawled over to sit next to Toby.

"Toby, why are you crying again?"

Toby, in his blue cotton pajamas, hugged his knees tightly, his eyes rimmed with red.

The little boy sniffled, fat tears rolling down his cheeks, his voice choking on a sob.

"They said Mommy is going to be taken away by the cops... I'm not going to have a mom anymore."

Cynthia tilted her head and gently patted Toby's back with her small hand.

"I heard Grandma Helena say she was a bad person, and she even hit you. So what if they take her away?"

The little girl didn't understand the complexities of the adult world, but she knew bad guys were supposed to be locked up.

"But..." Toby gripped his pant leg, hanging his head as he whispered, "But she's my only mommy."

Cynthia shoved the Lego figure into Toby's hands and patted her own chest proudly.

"It's okay! My mommy is super nice to me, and she makes the best food. From now on, my mommy can be your mommy too!"

Her teacher had said good things should be shared with best friends.

The crisp scent of body wash instantly filled the air.

Archer walked to the bed, pulled back the covers, and lay down. Stretching out his long arm, he effortlessly pulled Virginia into his embrace.

Virginia stiffened imperceptibly but didn't pull away. "Are the kids asleep?"

"Yeah, out cold." He rested his chin on the top of her head, lightly taking in the faint scent of white tea from her hair.

Virginia put down the tablet and lowered her eyelashes. "Is there any progress from the police on Chloe?"

"Still investigating. Liam is cunning, but they can't hold out much longer."

Without the backing of the Kendrick Group or the Caldwell family, their resources were rapidly bleeding dry.

Virginia pressed her lips together and looked up at him.

"If they catch her, what happens to Toby?"