His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 245

In her panicked haste, her toes slammed brutally into the sharp wooden edge of the coffee table.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips.

A blinding, agonizing pain shot up her leg. Virginia doubled over, her eyes instantly brimming with tears.

Archer frowned sharply and slammed his laptop shut without a second thought, striding instantly toward her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were working." She gritted her back teeth, desperately trying to suppress the pain. "I'll leave right now, just keep..."

Before she could finish, the man's towering shadow completely enveloped her.

He leaned down slightly and scooped her effortlessly into his arms. The familiar, intoxicating blend of ebony, bergamot, and his subtle body wash instantly engulfed her senses.

Without uttering a single word, he carried her with long, commanding strides toward the staircase.

Suddenly airborne, Virginia acted on pure instinct, grabbing fistfuls of the silk pajamas at his chest.

His chest was rock-solid and radiating heat. Even through the thin fabric, she could clearly feel the heavy, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat.

"...Archer, put me down."

Realizing her position, the tips of her ears burned bright red. She instinctively squirmed, which only sent another needle-like spike of pain through her toe.

"Don't move."

His voice was a low, gravelly rumble, laced with the rough edge of exhaustion.

"I... I can walk on my own." She pressed her lips together and averted her gaze, her cheeks and ears flushing with a quiet heat.

Archer ignored her completely, holding her with an iron-clad grip that offered zero room for negotiation.

They arrived at the master bedroom door.

He effortlessly supported her weight with one arm, opened the door, and carried her inside with silent, calculated steps. He set her down gently on the bench at the foot of the bed, then turned to switch on a dim nightlight.

On the bed, Cindy was sleeping peacefully.

He had intentionally placed Cindy in the master bedroom with Virginia, knowing the little girl might feel insecure in a new environment.

Once the light was on, Archer fetched the first aid kit and dropped to one knee in front of her.

After reading Cindy a midday story and ensuring the little girl was sound asleep, Virginia quietly slipped out of the bedroom.

The moment she reached the bottom of the stairs, the doorbell chimed.

She threw on a light cardigan and checked the video intercom, only to see Liam Kendrick’s face on the screen.

Virginia's brow furrowed in distaste.

Their last few encounters had been wildly unpleasant, and she had absolutely no desire to open the door.

But Liam outside clearly didn't know the meaning of the word 'quit'. When no one answered, he mashed the button again.

She glanced up toward the master bedroom on the second floor, suppressed her annoyance, and pulled the door open.

As Liam walked in, his eyes darted past her, deliberately scanning the luxurious interior with a cold, mocking sneer.

"Dr. Caldwell certainly moves fast. You've comfortably installed yourself as the lady of the house already."

His tone was venomous and laced with pure hostility. "Chloe is still suffering at home, agonizing over the pain of her condition, and look at you. Living flawlessly in Archer's house without an ounce of guilt."