His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 14

A faint flush crept up Virginia's neck. She quickly sat up straight and set down her silverware. "I'm—I'm fine."

Archer shifted back into his seat as if nothing had happened. "Mr. Hunter Sr., I heard the Hunter Group has been expanding into AI robotics lately. Would you be open to exploring a partnership with the Vanderbilt Group?"

His tone was perfectly even, effortlessly steering the conversation back to business. With just a few words, he forced everyone to move past the little incident.

Though the topic had shifted, Valentin hadn't missed the intimate tableau just moments before, nor had he missed the fleeting flash of panic in Archer's usually stoic eyes.

His gaze narrowed slightly, a calculating glint flashing in his depths.

Each lost in their own thoughts, the rest of the meal passed in heavy silence. The atmosphere was suffocating, and the exquisite food tasted like ash in Virginia's mouth.

Finally managing to choke down the last of her dinner, Virginia politely excused herself.

Valentin shot Archer a quick glance before standing up and rounding the table, a warm smile on his handsome face. "It's getting late, and it's practically impossible to hail a cab around here right now. Let me drive you home."

"No need to trouble yourself, Valentin. I actually have to swing by the Caldwell Estate. Dropping Ms. Caldwell off is right on my way," Archer interjected, standing up, his voice chillingly calm.

The air in the room instantly froze.

Virginia's eyelashes fluttered, her hands clenching tightly in her lap as a wave of suffocating dread washed over her.

She didn't want any further entanglement with Archer, let alone to be trapped in a car with him.

But they were guests in the Hunter home, and his offer was perfectly logical. If she refused so adamantly, she had no idea what kind of impression it would leave on Franklin or what rumors it might spark.

Taking a subtle, steadying breath to compose herself, Virginia looked up, forcing a polite smile. "Then I'll impose on Mr. Vanderbilt."

Whatever. She would just make an excuse to get out of the car the second they were out of sight of the estate.

Valentin raised an eyebrow but didn't push the issue.

Watching his grandson fail to even fight for the girl, Franklin felt a sharp ache in his chest.

Her desperate need to draw a hard, permanent line between them...

The realization twisted his dormant heart, a suffocating ache spreading through his chest.

For the first time, a flicker of genuine helplessness cracked his rigid, unyielding expression.

"Virginia, can we just talk?" Archer asked, his voice low and raspy.

The words dropped into the silent luxury car like a boulder crashing into a still lake.

The silence stretched on for an agonizing eternity.

Until Virginia's cool, distant voice finally broke it. "Mr. Vanderbilt, there is absolutely nothing left for us to talk about."

Archer's grip on the steering wheel tightened until his hands shook, but he didn't say another word.