His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 112

Rupert didn't recognize Mr. Preston. He laughed off the warning but managed to reign in his vulgarity, changing the subject.

Archer looked away. The dangerous glint in his eyes faded into a calm mask as he took a sip of his wine.

Although his expression was the same as before, Mr. Preston couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. His nerves remained on edge.

Not long after, Archer excused himself, citing urgent business matters, and left the venue early.

By the time he walked out of the club, Zachary Cole had already pulled the car up to the entrance.

Settling into the backseat, Archer remained silent for a long time.

The tension in the car was suffocating. Zachary stole a glance through the rearview mirror but didn't dare speak.

The moment the engine purred to life, a voice came from the back. "Look into Rupert Finch's whereabouts tonight."

"Right away."

...

Around one in the morning, Rupert stumbled out of a bar, his footing unsteady.

The driver his friend had called for him hadn't arrived yet. He leaned against the wall, scrolling through his phone with a sleazy grin plastered on his face.

Suddenly, an unmarked black van screeched to a halt in front of the bar. Three men with their caps pulled low swarmed out and charged straight for him.

Before Rupert could even react, a black burlap sack was shoved over his head, swallowing him and his phone in total darkness.

"What the hell! Who are you—"

Nobody answered.

The men dragged him like dead weight into the alley behind the bar.

A short distance away, a crowd was gathered around the lounge sofas.

Rupert sat right in the middle. A flesh-colored bandage stretched across his nose, doing nothing to hide the deep purple bruises mottling his face. He looked miserable and pathetic.

"Rupert, I heard you got jumped and beaten up a few days ago. How are you holding up? Did you figure out who did it?"

"I've been looking into it for four days, and nothing!" Rupert snarled, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Bastards! Once I find out who those cowards are, I'm going to ruin them!"

He opened his mouth too wide and aggravated his injuries, wincing in pain. At that exact moment, the sight of Clementine hugging Virginia caught his eye.

She was already breathtaking, but under the dim, sultry lighting, her stunning curves and flawless silhouette were enough to drive a man crazy.

Rupert's gaze lingered on her swaying figure for a few seconds, a perverse sense of intoxication washing over him.

He threw back a mouthful of liquor, temporarily suppressing the burning heat rising in his chest.