Chapter 478
Chapter 478:
The two arrived in a rush, alarmed by the call, fearing something serious had happened. But they froze in the doorway.
Helena—their Helena—graceful, soft-spoken, always modest, was lounging on the boutique sofa like a queen on a throne. Two shop assistants knelt before her, gently helping her out of her shoes.
Both exchanged a glance, stunned.
Was this really Helena? There was no trace of the grieving widow. No hint of the fragile, heartbroken woman they had expected. What had Alden’s death done to her?
“Helena, if you’re feeling really low, I can think of something that might cheer you up. Don’t act like this…” Valeria’s voice softened as she looked at Helena, worry etched across her face.
Before she could say anything more, Helena broke into a carefree laugh. “Well, that’s enough of that. This store? It’s all mine now! No one else is around, so I can drop the whole heartbroken routine p>
With that, Helena turned away from Liliana and flashed a sly wink at Valeria. That single gesture said it all—teasing, confident, and undeniably playful.
In that instant, something clicked for Valeria. The sparkle in Helena’s eyes didn’t belong to someone mourning a loss. If Alden were truly gone, there was no way she’d be this relaxed. Which could only mean one thing—Alden was completely fine, and Helena had already heard from him.
A warm wave of relief swept over Valeria. When she glanced at Liliana from the corner of her eye, everything fell into place—that Helena’s entire act was meant for Liliana.
Whatever Helena’s reason for the charade, Valeria wasted no time jumping into character. She clapped her hands and grinned, deliberately playing it up. “Wait, seriously? You own this place now? That’s insane p>
Springing to her feet, she began eyeing the store’s display cases like a kid in a candy shop.
“Okay, this one is stunning. Helena, you’ve got to gift me something now that you’re in charge! And these shoes? Absolute perfection. Come on, don’t be stingy—I know you love me p>
Valeria strolled through the shop, acting so unlike herself that even Dorian, who’d been quietly observing from the side, furrowed his brows in surprise.
𝓢𝓮𝓮 𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 @ 𝓰Ɐ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀﹐ⅽ𝗼𝗺
With a playful pout, she glanced his way. “Why are you looking at me like that, Mr. Morrison? If you’re not planning on spoiling me, then what’s the harm in asking my best friend for a little something? Don’t tell me that’s off-limits too p>
Valeria’s voice dripped with over-the-top sweetness, enough to make Helena suppress her laugh.
To Dorian, that unusually gentle tone hit like a spell, enough to make his legs unsteady.
Even without knowing what kind of game the two girls were playing, Dorian instinctively jumped in. He made his way over, casually slipped an arm around Valeria’s slim waist, and shot her a cheeky grin. “You don’t need to ask for anything from Helena. Just tell me what caught your eye—I’ll buy it. It’s a good excuse to support her new business.” As he spoke, his fingers gave Valeria’s waist a subtle squeeze, as if he had no intention of hiding how affectionate he was being.