His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 96

It was Chloe, who had just finished her follow-up and was on her way out.

Their eyes met for a split second. Hailey snapped back to reality, her expression hardening instantly.

"Miss Caldwell."

"And you are?"

"I'm the intern here." Hailey paused, her voice dripping with bitterness. "Or, more accurately, the former intern."

Chloe raised an eyebrow, thinking for a moment before recognition dawned.

Catching the weight of the word 'former', a faint smirk touched her lips.

Well. It seemed this little idiot really had gone to bat for her.

Catching the sheer contempt in Chloe's gaze, Hailey's face flushed with anger.

"You played me perfectly, didn't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Excuse me, I need to leave."

A few people walking toward the elevators noticed the tense standoff and turned to watch the drama unfold.

"No idea?" Hailey scoffed, her face twisting in disgust. "I'm a psychology major. I know better than most exactly what you were doing. You intentionally fed me a false narrative to turn me against Virginia."

"I have to admit, you're a master manipulator."

Chloe paled slightly, her grip tightening around her handbag strap.

But she was smart enough not to argue. Instead, she immediately adopted a look of tearful victimization.

"Virginia never did anything to you!" Hailey took a menacing step forward. "Yet you weaponized people's empathy to spread vile rumors. What is wrong with you?!"

"It's Miss Miller, isn't it? I am quite certain I never told you anything of the sort. Whatever delusions you've concocted are your own problem. Now, let me be clear. Step aside, or I will call security."

The probing stares from the growing crowd made Chloe intensely uncomfortable. Desperate to maintain her flawless facade, she forced a cold, composed front to strike back.

Hailey let out a harsh laugh and didn't budge an inch.

Chloe was also in the vehicle, having hitched a ride along the way.

The rain was torrential and relentless. Though the school entrance was orderly, the traffic was impenetrable. Zachary had no choice but to park down the street, grabbing an umbrella to fetch the boy.

But Archer beat him to it. He snatched the umbrella and strode toward the school gates. Seeing this, Chloe scrambled out of the car and jogged after him.

...

Virginia had taken a cab and hadn't anticipated the sudden storm, so she had no umbrella. She shielded Cindy's small face with one hand while holding her tight with the other. The two of them huddled close together under the awning of the school gates, seeking refuge from the deluge.

Cindy, bundled in her red preschool raincoat, looked up at Virginia with wide, innocent eyes. "Mommy, did you call for a ride?"

"...Uncle Valentin will be here to pick us up in a minute. Are you cold? Do you want Mommy's jacket?"

The storm had hit so suddenly and right at dismissal time, making it utterly impossible to hail a cab in the area.

The little girl shook her head. She was about to reply when she unexpectedly spotted a hurried figure in the distance.