His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 281

Helena Vanderbilt smiled, retracting her gaze. "Is your ankle feeling any better? Archer mentioned you twisted it, and I've been worried sick."

As a psychologist, Virginia Caldwell easily saw through the older woman's underlying intentions. She offered a soft, knowing smile. "It doesn't hurt anymore, Helena."

"Still so formal?" Helena frowned, giving her a playful, reproachful look before patting her hand affectionately. "Was that fragrance-appreciation class too boring? I was afraid you'd be trapped there, so I came to rescue you."

"Vanderbilt Fine Jewelry just received a new batch of haute couture pieces yesterday. I'll take you to pick some out. Grab whatever catches your eye—Archer is footing the bill, so just have fun with it."

"As for anything else, whatever you like, just buy it. I'll cover the cost."

Helena kept talking as she pulled Virginia toward the exit. The wealthy socialites standing behind them overheard every word, their jaws nearly dropping to the floor.

Was this the ex-mother-in-law Virginia had mentioned? Was she actually the matriarch of the Vanderbilt family?!

Furthermore, this wasn't just 'treating her well.' She was spoiling Virginia as if she were her own biological daughter!

...

On the first floor of The Grand Galleria, the largest luxury shopping center in the capital.

Helena had her arm looped affectionately through Virginia's as they strolled past a high-end boutique's window display. Suddenly, they collided with two familiar figures.

Chloe Caldwell.

She was wearing a pure white silk slip dress with a thin cardigan draped over her shoulders. Her long hair tumbled down her back, maintaining that innocent, harmless facade she always wore.

Beside her stood Liam Kendrick, dressed in a light blue casual button-down, his hands weighed down by four or five shopping bags plastered with various luxury logos.

As the four came face-to-face, Chloe's footsteps skidded to a dead halt.

Her eyes locked onto Helena and Virginia's linked arms for two full seconds, a dark wave of jealousy churning in her gaze.

"The esteemed heir to the Kendrick family, following Ms. Caldwell around all day like a glorified bag boy. If people didn't know better, they'd think your family had gone bankrupt."

The elite circle was only so big, and Helena was well aware of the rumors floating around.

She didn't care who treated Chloe well, but Liam had crossed a massive line by constantly making things difficult for Virginia at the banquet!

Liam's face stiffened, the veins on the back of his hand bulging from his grip.

As the prominent eldest son of the Kendrick family, he practically walked on water in the capital. When had he ever been subjected to such humiliation?

But the woman standing in front of him was Archer Vanderbilt's mother, the reigning matriarch of the Vanderbilt family. Even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare snap at her to her face.

Helena, however, had no intention of letting him off the hook. "Never mind. I'll just have a word with Chloe's mother another day and suggest she put you on the payroll."

Those words essentially dragged Liam's pride through the mud.