His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 422

He wanted her, but not here...

Her face flushed crimson, Virginia leaned back against the mirror. She unconsciously pressed a hand to her chest, dragging in deep, shuddering breaths.

By the time she calmed down, finished changing, and stepped out, Archer was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window.

He held an unlit cigarette between his fingers. Hearing her approach, he casually tossed it into a nearby trash can and turned around.

"Let's go."

He rested a hand on the small of her back, guiding her out of the restaurant.

The moment they stepped outside, Virginia's phone began to ring.

The name "Clementine Sherwood" flashed across the screen.

Virginia swiped to answer, and her ear was instantly blasted by deafening heavy metal music, accompanied by Clementine's shouting voice.

"Ginny! I'm back in the country!"

Virginia pulled the phone slightly away from her ear. "Why the sudden return?"

"Chasing men is too exhausting, I needed a breather," Clementine complained loudly. "I'm hosting a get-together at The Victoria Club tomorrow night to reconnect with everyone. You have to be there!"

"...Alright."

She hung up the phone just as a gust of night wind swept past, carrying the residual heat of the summer day.

Archer stood half a step away, one hand tucked into his pocket. "Clementine Sherwood?"

"Yeah." Virginia put her phone away, her expression returning to its usual cool composure.

The Maybach glided smoothly through the night. The AC blasted cool air through the cabin, and the privacy partition was raised, blocking Zachary's view from the front seat.

Archer leaned back against the leather seat, his long legs crossed casually. The prayer beads on his right wrist gleamed with a soft luster. He turned his head, his gaze landing on the profile of the woman beside him.

"Dragging every stray dog and alley cat into our circle. How pathetic."

Clementine was already harboring a mountain of frustration. Hearing this, she slammed her glass down onto the bar.

"Since when do you get a say in who I invite?" Clementine crossed her arms, her chin tilted up defiantly. "It's better than certain people who spend all day obsessing over other women's men. Even when you throw yourself at them, nobody wants you."

The insult struck Mandy precisely where it hurt most.

Mandy's face contorted with rage, and she fired back through gritted teeth.

"I'm still leagues above you! You followed Xavier out of the country like a desperate stalker, and what did it get you? He already has someone he loves! Who do you think you are? You're an embarrassment to all women!"

Clementine's breath hitched, her face draining of color.

"You're asking for it!"

Xavier Quinn was her one untouchable nerve. Snatching up a glass of ice water from the bar, she unhesitatingly hurled it right into Mandy's face.