His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 467

Archer furrowed his brows, a complex emotion flickering in his dark eyes.

"Toby is innocent in all of this. Once the dust settles, we can send him to the main estate for my mother to raise, or hand him over to Mrs. Caldwell. Chloe has committed unforgivable sins, but the Caldwells weren't involved in them."

Virginia instantly caught the underlying meaning in his words.

He didn't plan on making a move against the Caldwell family.

...

That night, in the basement of The Docks District.

The room was as stifling as an oven, radiating a stomach-churning stench.

Chloe sat on the rusted iron bed with a manic glare, her cheap t-shirt reeking of sour sweat.

Liam had gone out early to gather intel. Before leaving, he had strictly ordered her not to step foot outside the basement.

But why should she listen?

Why did that bitch Virginia get to live in a luxury villa, soaking up Archer's affection, while she was left to rot and die in this godforsaken rat hole?!

Chloe ground her back teeth and pulled an old cell phone out from under her pillow.

It was a burner phone Liam had bought when they first went on the run.

With practiced ease, she dialed a number.

A greasy, overly excited male voice answered, trembling with emotion.

"Chloe! Is it really you? I saw the warrant online, but I don't believe it! You're so kind and pure, I know you would never do something like that!"

It was Johnny Briggs, Chloe's most fanatical supporter, a man who had once sold his blood just to afford a ticket to her piano recital.

Back when she found out, she had scoffed at him, but now...

Just as she stepped off the curb, a beat-up white van suddenly accelerated, slamming on the brakes right in front of her. Before she could react, the side door flew open, and a man wearing a baseball cap and a surgical mask lunged out.

He held a towel soaked in a pungent chemical and clamped it brutally over Virginia's nose and mouth from behind.

She fought wildly, kicking and thrashing her heels against the concrete.

But the man was too strong, and the chemical acted terrifyingly fast. Within seconds, her consciousness faded, and she slumped limply against him.

The man glanced around. Seeing the coast was clear, he hoisted her into the van, slammed on the gas, and tore off down the street.

An undetermined amount of time passed.

Virginia opened her eyes to a splitting headache.

The air tasted like harsh diesel and suffocating dust.

She quickly realized she was tied to a rusted iron chair. Thick ropes dug viciously into her wrists and ankles, leaving a ring of deep, throbbing bruises.