His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 148

Both women worked with practiced ease, quickly assembling a small tray of dumplings.

Helena excused herself to the restroom, but in reality, she slipped away to give Archer a call out of earshot.

At that moment, Zachary was going over Archer's upcoming schedule.

"Mr. Vanderbilt, you have an international video conference at six-twenty. The proposal has been finalized, if you'd like to review it."

Archer took the folder and flipped through a couple of pages when his phone rang.

Helena: "Archer, we're making dumplings at the house today. Come straight over after work."

"Next time. I have an important..."

"Virginia is here. She made the dumplings herself, and Cynthia will be joining us later."

The hand flipping the pages stopped dead. The look in Archer's eyes darkened noticeably.

Zachary was still standing across the desk waiting for his signature. Seeing his boss freeze, he instinctively checked his watch.

"Mr. Vanderbilt?"

Archer lowered his phone, closed the folder, and ordered without a change in expression, "Reschedule tonight's video conference for tomorrow morning."

"Huh? Tomorrow morning? It'll be the middle of the night for their side..."

"Just do it."

Archer shoved the folder back across the desk, stood up, and grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his chair, striding toward the door.

Zachary snapped his mouth shut, turned around with a miserable expression, and scurried off to completely rearrange the schedule.

On the other end of the line, Helena looked at the disconnected call. Not only was she not angry, but a triumphant smile crept onto her lips.

...

Virginia was carrying the freshly made dumplings into the kitchen when she suddenly heard a noise at the front door.

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