His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 232

"Watch your mouth, Liam."

His voice wasn't loud, but the sheer pressure made Liam's throat tighten, rendering him speechless.

Archer withdrew his gaze and turned to Virginia. "Let's go. I'll take you home."

Virginia stared at the red, swollen mark on his right cheek for a few seconds. Something deep inside her shifted, and she followed him out.

......

Virginia's apartment.

By the time they returned, Mrs. Benson had already put Cindy to sleep. Only a single floor lamp illuminated the living room.

After thanking Mrs. Benson and seeing her out, Virginia grabbed the first-aid kit, took out some iodine and cotton swabs, and sat on the sofa.

She patted the empty space beside her. Archer paused in taking off his jacket, walked over, and sat down close to her.

Under the light, a distinct bruise marked his cheekbone, and the skin near his mouth was broken.

His collar was loose, and his shirt was covered in wrinkles. This version of him was completely different from the strict, perfectionist man she usually saw.

Virginia sighed inwardly and reached out to touch his face.

He tilted his head to accommodate her.

"Does it hurt?"

"...No."

As the swab brushed over the wound, he didn't even flinch.

Virginia lowered her eyelashes, focused entirely on treating his injuries.

With his face turned to the side, Archer couldn't see her expression, but he could feel her warm breath fanning across his skin.

It carried her signature scent of white tea.

Just as she finished applying a bandage and moved to put the supplies away, his hand suddenly gripped the back of her neck. He turned and kissed her.

The cotton swab dropped, spilling dark iodine onto the carpet.

When Chloe learned that Archer had hit him over Virginia, she was consumed by jealousy and immediately forwarded the group chat photos to Madeline.

Of course, she also sent pictures a private investigator had taken of Archer entering Virginia's apartment.

Madeline's face changed instantly, her eyes growing serious.

At two in the afternoon, she marched into the CEO's office at the Vanderbilt Group for the second time.

This time she came empty-handed, and her expression was icy.

"Archer, what is the meaning of you taking Virginia to a private party last night?" she demanded right off the bat.

Archer, who had been signing documents, paused and looked up.

He was wearing a dark navy two-piece suit today. The perfectly ironed vest and trousers, paired with a somber dark gray shirt, made him look both aristocratic and enigmatic.

The bruise on his right cheek hadn't completely faded, and that morning, Virginia had replaced his bandage with a flesh-colored one.

"Mrs. Caldwell, I believe I made myself clear last time."