Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 4

A chronic liar. Absolutely shameless.

She pulled out her phone, switched to the video camera, and pushed the door open just a crack. The two of them were completely caught up in their passionate affair inside the office, oblivious to her standing at the threshold.-

Caught in the throes of lust, Chloe threw her head back and suddenly locked eyes with the phone camera. She let out a piercing scream. Startled so badly by the sudden shriek, Lucas completely lost his rhythm.

"Luke, someone's recording us!"

She frantically snatched up her clothes to cover herself, shrinking into Lucas's arms.

"Who?" Lucas's predatory gaze darkened. His furious, sharp eyes followed her line of sight straight to the door.

The door swung wide as Vanessa put her phone away and stepped slowly into the room.

"My apologies. Didn't mean to ruin the mood."

"Nessa..."

Lucas's face paled before instantly twisting into defensive rage. "What are you doing here?"

Seeing her, Chloe hunched her shoulders, burying herself deeper into Lucas's embrace. "Vanessa, why do you always pop up out of nowhere... The boss and I are just finding a little comfort. You're the only one he truly loves."

Vanessa scoffed. "Lucas, we need to talk."

"Fine. Get out first."

Caught red-handed, Lucas knew any more excuses would be utterly useless.

Ten minutes later, Chloe walked out first.

Meeting Vanessa's icy stare, she timidly shrank back.

"Vanessa, Mr. Lowery said you can go in."

"You sent me that anonymous text last night, didn't you?"

Chloe's face went pale, her eyes darting away nervously. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is a bad soldier, and a mistress who doesn't want the title just lacks ambition. You're pretty young to be aiming so high."

"What did you want to talk about?"

His voice was raspy, laced with the sharp edge of unfulfilled desire. The glare he shot her was dripping with blatant annoyance.

Vanessa sat across from him, looking at him with eyes utterly devoid of emotion.

"I'm keeping the house and the car. I'll sell my shares of the company back to you at market value. Considering you saved my life in the past, I'll let you keep your dignity."

Lucas froze, letting out a bark of incredulous laughter. "Nessa, everything you own, I earned. I just made a mistake that every man in the world makes. Are you really going to sentence me to death over it?"

His arrogant, entitled attitude—as if cheating was his God-given right—made Vanessa feel like she was staring at a complete stranger.

Maybe this was just male audacity. Even when they were dead wrong, they would twist the truth rather than admit a shred of guilt.

"Three years, and you clearly still don't know me at all. I don't tolerate garbage, Lucas. I'd rather have nothing than settle for a fraud."

Lucas's face darkened as he shot her an icy glare. "Are you serious?"