His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 17

The transfer went through. Virginia set her phone facedown on the table and went to cut herself a piece of the mousse.

The blueberries were perfectly sweet.

After finishing the cake and cleaning up, Virginia tucked Cindy into bed. She washed up, returned to her own bedroom, and finally picked up her phone.

Below the money transfer, the chat window remained completely dead. No reply.

The transfer status read: "Pending Acceptance."

She frowned. She had no desire to get tangled up with Archer again, so she simply tossed the phone onto her nightstand and refused to think about it anymore.

Lights out. Sleep.

...

Across town.

Archer was in his study, flipping through a stack of acquisition files, when his phone screen lit up.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the notification banner—[Virginia Caldwell has transferred $150 to you.]

Memo: For the cake.

He stared at those words for a very long time. Though his face remained an unreadable mask, a turbulent storm briefly darkened his otherwise cold eyes.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. His smart home assistant rolled in, carrying a tray with a freshly warmed glass of milk, placing it gently on the corner of his desk. "Sir, it is time for your evening routine."

The mechanical voice snapped Archer back to reality. The long, elegant finger that had been hovering over his phone screen finally pulled away, pressing the lock button instead.

But that night, the lights in the Vanderbilt study remained on until dawn.

And that money transfer remained firmly in 'Pending' status.

...

Three days later, in the afternoon. The Capital City Convention Center.

The opening ceremony of the 7th International Psychology Summit had just concluded. Professionals from around the globe were clustered in small groups across the massive venue, the coffee break area completely packed.

Virginia was dressed in a sharp black tailored suit-skirt combo, her hair pinned up flawlessly. She had just been politely cornered by Professor Larsen.

Standing together, they looked like the perfect power couple, drawing countless envious and curious stares from the crowd.

Basking in the attention, Chloe's lips curved into a smug smile. "Archer, is Doctor White really going to be here?"

"Yes, it's confirmed. Once the summit wraps up, I'll take you to see..."

"Virginia?" Before Archer could finish his sentence, Chloe's gaze locked onto a figure in the distance.

Archer's footsteps faltered for a fraction of a second, his face betraying zero emotion.

Chloe dropped his arm, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What is she doing in a place like this? This is an international psychology summit. They don't just let anyone walk through the doors."

"Let's go find Doctor White first." Archer's eyes flickered slightly as the memory of her late-night money transfer crossed his mind.

Pulling his gaze away, he strode purposefully toward the VIP sector.

Chloe hurried after him, a bitter, inexplicable annoyance twisting in her gut.

Since when was Virginia qualified to attend an international summit? Wasn't she just some basic therapist who talked to lonely old people!?