Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 158

Vanessa replied coldly, "She's the one who tried to hit me. I simply pushed her away. On what grounds should I apologize to her?"

"Zach, just look at her! She's acting so arrogant right in front of you." Willow sobbed, enthusiastically adding fuel to the fire. "She has zero respect for you!"

Zachary was never exactly a saint. Being publicly defied instantly wiped the amusement off his face, leaving behind an icy scowl.

"It's just an apology, yet you insist on escalating this. Since you're so incredibly ungrateful, I have plenty of ways to force your compliance." Zachary barked at the floor manager, "Take her to my office."

Tucked against his chest, a triumphant smirk blossomed across Willow's face.

It was exactly at that moment that the manager finally recognized Vanessa.

She was the one who ruined his deal last time, costing him a hefty sum of cash. But she had been rubbing elbows with the legendary Mr. Howard back then.

Anyone tied to the Howards was absolutely untouchable.

Furthermore, Alistair Howard was actually upstairs inside Azure Club tonight.

Could she possibly be here to see him?

With that terrifying realization, the manager scrambled forward, leaned into Zachary's ear, and quickly whispered a few frantic words.

Zachary's gaze upon Vanessa shifted drastically, filled with a newfound, complicated nuance.

"What's your relationship with the Howard family?"

Before she could formulate an answer, the elevator doors parted. Alistair stepped out with Nolan right on his heels, catching Zachary's question the moment they entered the garage.

"Perhaps you should be asking me that question, Mr. Rhodes."

The voice wasn't loud, but its chillingly magnetic resonance echoed through the concrete cavern, striking clarity and terror directly into everyone's hearts.

Alistair closed the distance with a few long strides, deliberately positioning himself right next to Vanessa in a blatantly protective stance.

Zachary shoved Willow away and laughed. "Alistair, it's incredibly rare to see you keep company with anyone. Is this your girlfriend?"

He remembered Nolan mentioning that Alistair had finally come off the market and indulged in the pleasures of romance.

Plus, since Zachary and Alistair were evidently acquainted, she had no desire to throw her weight around. Doing so would just make her as pathetic as Willow.

Just as Willow let out a sigh of relief, Vanessa's voice rang out again.

"Miss Royce shouldn't be apologizing to me. The one she slapped was this lady."

Was she seriously demanding she apologize to that wretched Leah?

Leah was completely caught off guard by the defense, feeling wildly overwhelmed. She whispered frantically, "I'm fine. No apology is necessary."

If Willow locked onto her with a vengeance, the abuse would only get exponentially worse.

All she wanted was to keep her head down, make enough money, and pull herself out of poverty.

"A mistake demands an apology. If you indulge someone for too long, they'll inevitably stir up massive trouble in the future." Alistair stared blankly at Zachary. "Don't you agree?"

Zachary's gaze grew pitch black. "Apologize. Right now."