In the end, Arden couldn’t put a finger on whatever it was, so he only asked, “Have you recovered now, President?”
Addie’s smile became conspiratorial. Even though it was impossible for anyone outside to overhear her, she still lowered her voice a notch. “I was never that sick to begin with,” she answered. “Don’t tell anyone, but I think my body just forced me to take a break. To answer your question, though, yes—I do feel a lot better now. Thank you for asking.”
Despite still wearing a smile, Addie turned her eyes towards her main monitor, signaling to Arden a second time that he was being dismissed.
She made this even clearer by saying, “Too bad I have to play catch up in exchange. Don’t let me keep you from doing the same.”
“Yes, President.”
As Arden was returning to his desk, he
