His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 66

"I'm just a fake heiress. Living here is already putting my adoptive parents in an awkward spot, and I don't want to be a burden... It's just that Virginia thinks I stole Archer and her parents away from her."

"I... I don't blame Virginia. I just don't know how to face her sometimes. Honestly, I feel like a liability. Like I don't belong anywhere."

She left her thoughts trailing off, playing the part of the long-suffering victim perfectly. She didn't have to spell it out; the implications hit their mark.

Richard and Eleanor exchanged a dark look, the fury in their eyes becoming painfully obvious.

They stayed for less than half an hour before abruptly taking their leave.

The moment they stepped out of the Caldwell Estate, their anger boiled over. They immediately ordered their driver to head straight to Virginia's apartment.

...

At two in the afternoon, Cynthia woke up from her nap.

With a tender smile, Virginia tied the little girl's hair into twin pigtails, getting her ready for a trip to the park.

Just as they were putting on their shoes, the doorbell rang.

Virginia glanced through the peephole and frowned.

Richard and Eleanor Sutton.

Neither of them looked particularly friendly.

Virginia took a deep breath and opened the door. "Richard. Eleanor."

Eleanor shot her a glacial glare, offering a thoroughly fake smile. "Oh, so you do remember how to greet your elders?"

Virginia didn't take the bait. She stepped aside to clear the doorway. "Come in and sit down."

Cynthia, sporting her twin pigtails and a pastel yellow jacket, dashed over to Virginia's legs. She glared up at Eleanor, her little face scrunched in fierce determination.

"Don't yell at my mommy!"

Eleanor paused for a second before sneering. "So this is the bastard child you raised? Who knows which stray man fathered her. She's just as classless as you are!"

Cynthia didn't fully understand the insult, but she could tell it was something horrible.

The little girl's face flushed bright red, but she bravely stood her ground to protect Virginia, her voice cracking with tears. "You're a bully! A big bully!"

Virginia's expression turned absolutely lethal. She reached down to pull Cynthia behind her. "That is enough! She is four years old. Watch your mouth—"

Blinded by rage, Eleanor didn't even let Virginia finish before forcefully shoving the child out of the way.

She used way too much force. Being so tiny, Cynthia was thrown completely off balance, tumbling sideways and slamming her forehead brutally against the hard edge of the doorframe.