His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 352

As a man accustomed to absolute authority, raised under the most brutal elite education where only rules and interests mattered, he had never received such an innocent, childish gift.

He reached out with his large, strong hand to take the crudely folded paper crane, the sharp lines of his face softening significantly.

"Thank you, Cindy."

"Eat a lot, Mommy and Archer!" The little girl smiled brightly before turning and running back to the play area.

Watching her daughter's retreating figure, a soft smile touched the corners of Virginia's lips.

In that moment, her heart felt completely full.

Watching her peaceful profile, Archer reached across the table and covered her left hand with his.

His long, powerful fingers, slightly calloused from years of wielding a pen and working out, brushed against her soft skin, sending a jolt of electricity through her.

Virginia instinctively tried to pull back.

"Don't move," he murmured, his palm radiating heat.

He held her hand firmly, his thumb brushing slowly against her knuckles—restrained, yet intensely seductive.

Virginia looked up, meeting his deep, predatory gaze.

...

That evening, the suffocating summer heat of Capital City was kept outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of the South Hill villa.

Archer sat on the leather sofa, a silver laptop resting on his knees, his long fingers flying across the keyboard.

He wore a casual dark gray shirt, the collar unbuttoned.

He looked less cold than usual, exuding a relaxed, languid aura.

She wore an ivory tailored dress that hugged her stunning curves, carrying a camel-colored tote.

Their eyes met across the room; Archer's throat bobbed as he closed his laptop and set it aside.

"Mommy!" Cindy dropped her blocks and ran over, hugging Virginia's legs. "You're back! Archer brought Toby to play with me today!"

Virginia slipped into her house shoes, patted her daughter's head, and walked into the living room.

Seeing her approach, Toby stood up nervously, pinning his hands to his sides as he greeted her timidly. "Hello, Virginia."

"Good boy, Toby." Virginia ruffled the boy's hair, sat down in the armchair, and took a sip of the warm water Archer had poured for her earlier.

Dinner had been prepared by the chef based on Mrs. Higgins's menu, with elegant dishes spread across the long dining table.

Archer walked over, noticed the steamed grouper, frowned, and instinctively moved it away from Virginia's seat to the opposite side of the table.