His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 311

Virginia Caldwell looked effortlessly elegant in a simple linen dress, her long hair pinned up with a minimalist wooden hairpin as she focused on the bamboo whisk in her hands.

"Virginia, why is there no foam on your tea at all?" Mandy Sterling covered her mouth, feigning innocent confusion.

She didn't speak loudly, but her voice carried just enough for the entire room to hear. "Whisking tea is delicate work. Have you been so exhausted taking care of the kids lately that you've lost your touch?"

The surrounding socialites all looked over, their expressions a mix of curiosity and judgment.

Virginia ignored her. With a slight turn of her wrist, her whisk moved in rapid, precise strokes against the Glazed Stoneware.

Then, she picked up a specialized spoon, dipped it in clear water, and began tracing over the surface of the tea.

With just a few deft strokes, a lifelike orchid blossomed atop the liquid. Aside from the color, it was as eye-catching as professional latte art.

The entire room fell completely silent.

Elias Thorne's expression shifted in awe as he hurried over. "Tea Artistry? You are actually well-versed in this lost art, Ms. Caldwell? Though the orchid lacks a bit of spiritual flair, it takes months of practice to achieve this level. Have you studied this before?"

"No. I just saw Tea Artistry on your syllabus, did a quick search, and gave it a try. I apologize if my amateur attempt offends you."

Elias smiled brightly. "Not at all! For you to be self-taught... I am truly fortunate to have a student as gifted as you."

His praise was the perfect blend of genuine admiration and polite flattery tailored for high-society circles.

The wealthy wives, however, were genuinely mesmerized by the display and immediately crowded around Virginia. In an instant, Mandy's prized cup of tea was entirely forgotten.

Mandy clenched her fists, a suffocating wave of jealousy washing over her.

Why? Why did this outcast, despised by both the Caldwells and the Suttons, always manage to outshine her?!

She refused to accept it!

She would absolutely not let her get away with this!

......

For the eternally calm, ruthless billionaire to lose his composure like this meant something catastrophic had just happened.

......

An abandoned cement factory on the outskirts of the city.

The stifling summer heat turned the place into a massive sauna.

A black Maybach slammed on its brakes outside the building.

Archer pushed the door open and stepped out.

His normally pristine, immaculate tie had already been yanked loose, hanging haphazardly around his neck. The top two buttons of his tailored black shirt were undone, revealing a expanse of pale skin.

Following the GPS coordinates Zachary had sent, he arrived and was just about to charge in when a harsh shout from above ordered him to freeze.

Looking up, he saw two masked kidnappers standing on a suspended steel catwalk on the second floor. They held knives directly against the thick ropes binding Cindy and Toby.