His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 282

Liam was completely mortified, a mix of anger and embarrassment burning in his chest, yet he had no choice but to force a tight smile. "You're quite the joker, Mrs. Vanderbilt. Archer, Chloe, and I have been friends for years. Archer is always swamped with work, so I'm just trying to take some of the pressure off his shoulders."

"Oh, please," Helena cut him off without an ounce of mercy. "If you have so much free time on your hands, you should focus on the Kendrick family business. It'd be a shame if you really went bankrupt one day and couldn't even find a job carrying bags!"

Liam's face went entirely black.

Chloe bit her lower lip, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Mrs. Vanderbilt, please don't blame Liam. I was the one who asked him to keep me company..."

"Enough," Helena interrupted, clearly losing her patience. "I have zero interest in hearing about whatever is going on between the two of you. I'm busy shopping with Ginny."

With that, she pulled Virginia past them and continued down the promenade.

Chloe stood frozen in place, staring at their retreating figures, her nails digging into her palms until her knuckles turned white.

Virginia Caldwell! Why?! That old woman constantly found fault with her, so why was she treating that bitch so well?!

Liam looked at Chloe's tearful face, his heart aching for her. "Chloe, don't be upset. Mrs. Vanderbilt just hasn't seen Virginia's true colors yet. Once she does..."

"I'm tired. I'm going home," Chloe snapped coldly, turning on her heel and marching away.

...

At Vanderbilt Fine Jewelry.

The store manager had received the heads-up well in advance. Not only had she cleared the sales floor, but she also stood by the entrance with several senior sales associates, waiting to greet them.

Helena guided Virginia to a velvet sofa in the VIP lounge, her eyes crinkling with a warm smile.

"Bring out your seasonal haute couture pieces, along with all the newly arrived emeralds and diamonds."

Beaming, Helena turned to the sales associate. "What's your name?"

Overwhelmed, the associate replied, "Ma'am, my name is Lydia Miller."

"Lydia Miller. You're a sharp one," Helena chuckled. "I'll be sure to mention you to Archer and get you a raise."

Lydia bowed repeatedly in excitement. "Thank you so much, ma'am!"

After leaving the jewelry boutique, Helena pulled Virginia into a high-end menswear store.

"Ginny, since you're living with Archer now, you should really show him a bit more care." Helena ran her fingers across a rack of bespoke suits. "He works so hard every day. Don't you want to get him a little something?"

She was actually dying to know how far their relationship had progressed, but as an elder, she couldn't exactly ask outright. Instead, she figured she'd just give them a little push.