His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 158

She knew perfectly well that Virginia was an absolute authority in PTSD and delusional disorders. As long as she agreed to help, a paper under Magda's name was guaranteed a spot in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology!

Virginia's stomach dropped. Frowning slightly, she closed the manuscript and pushed it back across the table.

She had assumed Magda wanted her to review the draft and offer constructive feedback. She never expected her to make such an unethical request.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you with this."

Magda clearly hadn't anticipated such a flat refusal after laying all her cards on the table. Her smile instantly froze.

"Ginny, we've known each other for years. You won't even do me this tiny favor?"

"When it crosses into academic fraud, my hands are tied."

The temperature in the café seemed to plummet.

Magda stared at her for several seconds before slowly leaning back against her chair, a cryptic expression settling over her features.

"Alright, then."

Virginia assumed their friendship had effectively ended and was about to stand up and leave when Magda suddenly smiled.

"I just remodeled my clinic. Since you're already here, why don't you come take a look?"

Given their years of friendship, Virginia reasoned that Magda might have just had a temporary lapse in judgment. Dropping her guard, she agreed.

Fifteen minutes later, she was sitting in the reception area of Magda's clinic, sipping tea.

Magda handed her a few journals to kill time, excusing herself to go to the restroom before disappearing down the hall.

Virginia was deeply engrossed in her reading when a sudden, aggressive pounding came from the front door.

Before she could even react, the door was violently shoved open.

Two British police officers stood in the doorway. One of them flashed his badge at Virginia and rattled off a rapid-fire string of English.

Virginia was shell-shocked. Just as she opened her mouth to ask what was going on, Magda rushed into the room.

When the police had told her she needed someone to post bail, he was the only person in this entire country she could think to call.

Virginia was a total wreck: half her hair had fallen out of its clip, her face was completely devoid of color from the cold and the shock, and she was gripping her hands so tightly her knuckles were white.

Looking at her shivering frame, Archer, clad in a sleek dark gray cashmere coat, frowned imperceptibly. A flicker of complex emotion slashed through his dark, predatory gaze.

"I've handed the uncut surveillance footage over to the authorities. You're cleared of all charges."

Virginia gaped at him, a single tear spilling over her lashes.

She had called him two hours ago. When he hadn't shown up immediately, she had assumed he was just going to ignore her completely.

She never imagined that he had spent that entire time tracking down the security footage...

Afterward, she gave a final statement, signed the paperwork, and confirmed her identity. The police returned her personal belongings.

With the ordeal finally over, she followed Archer out of the precinct.