Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 131

Vanessa Grant forced down the panic rising in her chest, doing her best to steady her racing heart as she gently patted Seraphina Sloan's hand.

"Don't be scared. Everything will be fine."

She immediately pulled out her phone and dialed Alistair Howard's number.

"Mr. Howard, something happened with Seraphina," she said, her voice dropped to a low whisper as she gave him a concise rundown of receiving the dead bird.

On the other end of the line, Alistair's deep voice held a faint hint of teasing amusement.

"Is Miss Grant trying to ask for my help again?"

Vanessa froze, only then realizing she had instinctively turned to him for help.

Who was Alistair Howard? He was the youngest patriarch of the Howard family, a ruthless Wall Street titan who could casually finalize billion-dollar deals over drinks.

He wasn't someone she could just order around.

Besides, they only shared an informal marriage arrangement; they weren't even officially engaged yet.

He had just been treating her so well lately that she mistakenly assumed a gentle temper was hiding beneath his cynical exterior.

"…Can I?" she asked, her voice soft and hesitant.

The corner of Alistair's lips curved upward. There was no way he could refuse her.

"Marcus Beaumont is hosting a birthday banquet for his wife tonight. You're coming with me."

Marcus Beaumont was the Chief of Police in Sterling City.

Normally, she wouldn't even have the credentials to get close to someone in such a high-ranking position.

"Alright," she agreed. "Are you picking me up, or should I come to you?"

"I'll pick you up."

With those curt words, he hung up the phone.

Seraphina, who had been straining her ears, hadn't caught the details. Seeing her end the call, she quickly leaned in.

"How did it go?"

"He didn't explicitly say yes, but he didn't refuse either. I have to accompany him somewhere later tonight."

"Don't tell me it's another..."

Seraphina's gaze flicked suggestively toward Vanessa's neck as she threw an arm around her shoulders.

"..."

"Babe, you're taking one for the team! I appreciate your sacrifice!"

Remembering the exhausting ordeal from the night before, Vanessa silently cursed. Surely, the man wouldn't be that much of a beast tonight, right?

"Miss Grant, Mr. Howard asked me to take you home first."

"Thank you."

"Mr. Howard also instructed that until the culprit is caught, you should avoid meeting with Miss Sloan to prevent being targeted together."

"Alright, I understand."

She was never one to be foolishly stubborn. One wrong move in a situation like this could cost them their lives.

On the ride back, Vanessa looked over. "Quentin, did Mr. Howard mention anything specific I should prepare for tonight?"

Quentin maintained a respectful tone. "No need. You just have to show up. Mr. Howard has already arranged the gift."

After dropping her off at the Grant estate, Quentin drove away.

It was three in the afternoon.

Elaine Grant was out in the courtyard, fussing over her hibiscus flowers.

She glanced up as Vanessa walked in, then immediately lowered her head to continue pruning, pretending she hadn't seen a thing.

Ignoring her was perfectly fine; Vanessa didn't want to talk to her anyway.

Returning to her room, she began picking out an outfit for the evening.