Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 157

"In the parking garage," Vanessa replied casually. "Ran into a bit of trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" Alistair stood up and headed for the door, with Nolan quickly following behind.

"Just a wildly unreasonable person trying to force me into signing some NDA," Vanessa sighed helplessly. "They won't let me leave until I sign it."

Alistair let out a low chuckle. "Is that so? Did you catch them committing murder or arson?"

"Not quite that dramatic. I just walked in on an actress slapping someone. She's terrified I'll leak it and ruin her image."

Seeing Vanessa chatting away on her phone as if nothing was happening, Willow screeched at her manager, "Grab her phone, you idiot!"

Stella instantly lunged to snatch the device. Moving with lightning speed, Vanessa dodged the attack and delivered a swift kick right into Stella's lower back.

"Ah—"

Hearing the commotion through the receiver, Alistair picked up his pace, his expression instantly turning ice-cold.

"Vanessa, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Keep the line open."

The elevator doors chimed open, and Zachary stormed out with the floor manager trailing behind.

The moment she spotted him, Willow burst into theatrical tears and threw herself into Zachary's arms. "Zach, you have to help me! She actually assaulted me right here on your property. She has zero respect for you."

Zachary draped an arm over her shoulder. His sharp, dark gaze landed on Vanessa, a brief flash of absolute stun crossing his features.

How could there be a woman this breathtakingly gorgeous in Sterling City?

He had always harbored a profound soft spot for stunning beauties.

"Miss, laying hands on my girl in my club without an explanation is a bit much, don't you think?"

Leah hesitated for a second before tightly clenching her fists, having made up her mind.

"Mr. Rhodes, it's exactly as the lady said. I'm just here to work at Azure Club, but she accused me of seducing you. I tried to explain, but she refused to listen and slapped me. When this lady happened to walk by, she forced her to sign a contract, throwing your name around to intimidate her."

"Shut your mouth, Leah!" Willow shrieked, stunned that the miserable wretch had the audacity to rat her out.

Zachary cast a sideways glance at the hysterical Willow. His smile didn't reach his eyes, and the chilling look plunged Willow into a paralyzing, icy terror.

She desperately clung to his waist, sobbing uncontrollably. "Zach, I only did it because I care about you so much! Besides, I'm your girl. You promised you'd protect me no matter what..."

"All I did was ask her to sign a contract, but she's the one who assaulted me! By hitting me, she was disrespecting you! Please, Zach..."

Zachary's eyes darkened with a dangerous, predatory glint.

"Willow is at fault here. Apologize to her, and we can drop this."