Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 104

"In this world, walking a dead-end path is never your only option."

"You can always earn more money, but once you make a mistake like this, you can never get your dignity back. If your grandmother knew you saved her this way, she wouldn't have a single day of peace, even if she survived."

The girl flinched violently, tears finally spilling down her cheeks.

Vanessa's tone softened.

"I can help you. You don't have to sell yourself, and you don't have to lower your head to anyone."

The girl's head snapped up, a frantic disbelief filling her eyes.

"Are you really willing to help me? If you do, I'll do anything you ask!"

She went to drop to her knees, but Vanessa was quick and grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Stand up!"

She wasn't about to accept such a submissive gesture.

The girl stood up straight, staring at her nervously.

"How much is the surgery?"

"Fifteen thousand dollars..."

To someone in Vanessa's social circle, that was the price of a couple of designer handbags, but to others, it was the cost of a life.

Feeling a complex wave of emotion, Vanessa pulled a card from her purse and handed it over.

"There's twenty thousand on this."

The girl's eyes rimmed red as she choked out, "I'll consider this a loan. If I ever get the chance, I will pay you back."

"No need. Go pay for your grandmother's surgery."

The girl gave her a deep, solemn bow, took down her phone number, and sprinted away.

Annoyance flashed across the manager's face. This was prime merchandise he had worked hard to find, and thinking about the lost commission made him physically cringe.

"Stop doing this shady business. If that was your daughter, would you still call it a good deed?" Vanessa glared at him icily.

"What does this have to..."

Before the manager could finish, a sharp, cold voice cut him off.

"I'm not as good as you think. I just can't stomach men treating women like commodities with a price tag."

His Nessa was just as compassionate as ever.

"Let's head back in. I just ordered a plate of BBQ ribs, your favorite."

Vanessa looked surprised. "How did you know I love those?"

She was pretty sure she had never mentioned it to him.

Alistair raised an eyebrow, looking completely unbothered. "I saw you eating them earlier, so I figured you must like them."

Her heart skipped a beat!

She hadn't realized he was paying such close attention to her!

Right before they went back in, she tugged on the hem of his shirt and whispered, "Alistair, is your uncle... not into women?"

Alistair's brow twitched violently. "What makes you say that?"

"He doesn't seem to care about me at all, and he didn't even bat an eye at that girl earlier, who looked like a literal doll. I heard he hasn't had a single woman by his side for years..."