Chapter 203

That low voice, cold as ice, left no room for second guesses. Claire Richards and Tessa Howard turned around at the same time. At the office door stood Julian Archer, his face blank, but the pressure he carried was almost suffocating. It was written all over him—he wasn't pleased someone dared to step onto his floor without his okay. Behind him, Michael Reed was doing his best mediator smile, like peacekeeping was his full-time job. Not that it helped. “Oh? Secretary Claire is joining the lunch meeting? I didn’t know that,” Tessa said, reacting fast. Then she added with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, “You should’ve told me earlier, Claire. If I’d known you had plans, I wouldn’t have bothered you.” Claire almost laughed out loud out of sheer helplessness. Like seriously? Could one of you generous souls at least give me a heads-up next time? She just smiled, staying silent. Sometimes, silence hit harder than words. Julian’s voice came again, cold but clearly leaning toward Cla