Madison tapped her fingers against her wristwatch as she waited. The man in front of her looked cool as a cucumber."When did he say he will get here?" he asked,Madison looked at her watch, her brows furrowed for good measure."I am not sure but let's give it some time, please."The man nodded and relaxed against his chair. The door opened and both their attention went to it, Madison heaved a sigh of relief when Archer came in."Sorry, I am late."Archer stopped when he saw the unfamiliar man sitting there, he cut a glance at Madison who shook her head immediately."Hello," the man greeted.Archer responded with a greeting of his own. Madison gestured for Archer to have a seat."Archer this is Colonel, the private investigator I hired to look into Hailey but he is also on Jack."Archer brought out his hand to shake the man, "It's nice to meet you, Colonel." "Colonel, my friend, and strategic manager, Archer."The man brought out his hand and shook Archer's hand too. A wave of under
Archer flicked imaginary dirt off his suit, he was decked in a charcoal black suit, a black shirt opened at the collar, and his dress shoes.He figured he had to be dressed for the occasion if he wanted to get on Jack's nerves. Madison was dressed in a corporate dress that accentuated her curves.Her role today was minimal. They arrived at the hotel where the meeting was taking place."Ready?" she asked,Archer nodded and curved his arm, Madison slipped her hand into his and they entered the hotel, armed for revenge.The security guard asked for their entry card and when he was satisfied, he opened the hall.Archer and Madison located their seats in time and made themselves comfortable.The rest of the men poured in one after the other and Archer smirked when Jack stepped into the hall and headed straight to his seat.He had yet to see him.Madison nudged him, "This should be fun,""I agree."Archer felt giddy, his whole body thrilled with excitement in anticipation of what would happ
Security held Jack before he could come close to Archer. His face was red with anger. He struggled but they didn't seem to let up."You fucking asshole!" he yelled."Are you trying to ruin my life?"Archer stood where he was, unaffected by Jack's antics. Not when he had seen worse and also anticipated that Jack wouldn't have gone without a fight.He shook his head."Control yourself or we will restrain you," one of the members spoke up.Jack glared at him too, "Fuck you," he spat.The member flinched but didn't say anything after that."Are you done with your tantrum? Was the truth not to your liking?" Archer asked.He cocked his head to the side as he stared at Jack. He said Jack wished he could just run up to Archer and throttle him, beat him up till he learns that he wasn't the one to be messed with."Let me go! This is ridiculous!" Jack seethed, struggling against the stronghold of the guards. His attempts to break free proved futile, as the security personnel maintained their unw
Jack, pale as a sheet, erupted. "Archer, you're lying!"Archer raised a brow at him, "Am I?""You're only doing this because of some stupid vendetta!" Jack said. His accusation hung in the air, cutting through the hushed murmurs of the other members.Archer, cool and collected, stood his ground. "Jack, it's not true. I'm just looking out for the company." He paused, meeting the gaze of each person in the room. "Sure, a little part of me might crave the due point of flesh you owe me, but that doesn't mean I'll stoop to fabricating lies."The room held its collective breath as Archer pulled out a flash drive, its small form glinting in the lights. Holding it up for everyone to see, he declared, "In here, you'll find the evidence that Louvre and Jack were working side by side." A murmur of disbelief swept through the room, ruined by Jack's indignant retort, "You're bluffing, Archer! There's no way Louvre and I would team up for anything!"Archer maintained his composure, respondin
Madison stood still her gratitude shining in her eyes as she looked at Archer. "Thank you so much for everything, Archer. You've been a true friend to have in one's corner," she said, sincerity lacing her words.Archer nodded, nothing but understanding in his gaze. "Madison, it's been an honor working alongside you and with you. But It's time for you to move on."She smiled, appreciating his recognition."Are you sure about this?"Archer nodded, "Tomorrow, I'll be making the announcement, and I trust you to take care. Madison asked again, "Archer, you don't have to do this if you are not sure."Archer met her gaze. "Madison. It's time for me to step up, and you've prepared me well for this. Go and pursue whatever awaits you. I've got this."Madison sighed with relief, "Thank you, Archer. I couldn't have asked for a better partner. I'll miss this, but I know it's the right time."Archer walked over, a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Change is inevitable, Madison. Embrace it, and gr
Archer's mind raced, trying to process the information, he blinked twice to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "How did Ferguson find out?" he stammered, disbelief evident in his voice. "I've been cautious."Madison's bitter chuckle cut through the tension. "Allow me to rephrase, Ferguson didn't find out, he bought the heir himself. Brought him right into our meeting."Archer's eyes widened, the shock palpable. "Brought? But I've been discreet, covering my tracks...Wait a minute, brought?"He took a step back before he snarled, "What do you mean brought? Did he bring a total stranger to pose as the heir? How?"Madison's expression darkened. " Ferguson has ways, Archer. He's resourceful and he damn well brought a stranger to pose as the heir."Archer's eyes bulged through the sockets and the questions just kept pouring from his lips."What was the guy like?""Does he have a relation with me? Is he like a cousin?""How on earth did Ferguson plan this?""Calm down, Archer." Archer paced the
Archer didn't have time to read when Hailey walked straight to him, pushed Madison, and slapped him hard on his face.She smirked with satisfaction when she saw him wince and cradle his cheek.Archer stared at her, not flinching. Hailey met his gaze with her challenging ones. Her chest heading from anger.Originally, she had come once she heard the news of Archer putting Jack in jail but all thoughts of civility flew out the window once she saw Madison standing close to her.Hailey hated the woman with everything in her because Madison was everything she wanted to be."What the hell?" Madison yelled at her but Hailey shook her head and leveled Archer with a glare."What did you do?" she asked.Archer leaned back on the ball of his feet and nonchalantly shrugged as Hailey's frustration simmered beneath her calm exterior. The dismissive gesture seemed to be the spark that ignited her irritation. Eager to regain composure, she began pacing back and forth in the room,Stopping abruptly,
Hailey lifted her chin in defiance as she met Archer's eyes."I am sure you care, you just got better at hiding it because you are now playing devil's advocate.""I like that. Devil's advocate." Archer was amused.She gritted her teeth. Her words had the opposite effect of what she wanted."You are pissing me off," Hailey said."it's because you have no point. You are just here to throw a tantrum and I have no time to listen to your childish antics."Hailey stomped her feet like a child, her lips pouted like she wanted to cry. She wanted to make a point."That's what you are doing now? Behaving like a child?" Archer asked,"I don't know what you are talking about, " Hailey mumbled."I suggest you stop looking for the old version of me. It stopped existing when you betrayed and humiliated me. It would do you good if you adjust to me now."Archer warned."I will never accept this version of you." Hailey snapped.Madison studied her like she could see through her, her eyes shone when she r