His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 500

"That's enough! Stop!"

Fragments of those memories violently crashed into her mind. A sudden, blinding pain pierced "Gemma's" head. She gritted her teeth, her breathing turning shallow as a layer of cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

With a hard yank, she wrenched her hand free.

Panting, she picked up her glass of warm water, took a huge gulp, and forced herself to calm down.

For a moment, the only sound in the private room was their heavy breathing.

Archer stared at her pale face, a heavy ache settling in his chest.

He pulled his hand back, leaning into his chair, and looked at her with an absolute lack of compromise. "Come back to New York with me. I'll find a way to get your memories back."

"Gemma" set down her glass and met his eyes.

Those clear, beautiful eyes held none of the trust or reliance he had desperately hoped for. They were sharp, calculated, and deeply guarded.

"Mr. Vanderbilt, I admit your little details did trigger some blurry images in my head." Her voice was entirely flat, practically radiating a chilling aloofness.

"But I remember absolutely nothing right now. You expect me to just throw away my entire life and run off with you based on your word and a few photos? Don't you think that's completely ridiculous?"

Archer's jaw clenched tightly, a note of desperation creeping into his voice. "Dominic Harrington is only using you as Gemma's substitute! If you stay in Chicago, you're in danger!"

"Danger?" "Gemma" scoffed. "Dominic treats me wonderfully. Even if I take a massive leap of faith and assume I really am this Virginia Caldwell you claim I am, and even if I am just a substitute... why on earth should I trust you?"

She leaned forward slightly, her razor-sharp gaze locking onto his. "How do I know you aren't just Dominic's corporate rival? How do I know you didn't invent this whole story just to use me as a weapon against him?"

She didn't entirely trust Archer, but it wasn't that she didn't want to leave.

But this was Chicago.

The Harringtons controlled this city.

With that, she turned and headed for the door.

The man behind her watched with dark, brooding eyes, a terrifying obsession burning within them.

"Virginia, I'm not forcing you to decide today. But I swear, I am taking you with me!"

...

Meanwhile, at the Harrington estate.

The freezing wind howled against the floor-to-ceiling windows. The heat was turned up high, but it couldn't melt the bone-chilling aura radiating from Dominic.

He sat behind the massive desk in his study, his posture impeccable in a custom black vest.

Scattered across the desk were several high-definition photographs, and the background of those photos was unmistakably The Hillside Café.