Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 44

Especially right now, with a smudge of her plum-red lipstick lingering on the corner of his mouth. The vivid color against his pale skin made him look sinfully handsome, enough to make anyone's mind wander into dangerous territory.

Unfortunately, she was set to marry Benedict Howard; she couldn't afford a long-term affair with him.

Wait, they were both named Howard.

Her heart sank.

Could there be some kind of connection?

"Mr. Howard, wipe your mouth."

She lowered her gaze and handed him a tissue.

Alistair didn't take it. Instead, he leaned down, his intention perfectly clear.

Forcing down her temper, Vanessa carefully wiped the lipstick from the corner of his mouth.

"Mr. Howard, do you have any relation to the Howards in Sterling City?"

It was a nagging doubt she needed to clear up.

If Alistair was closely related to the Sterling City Howards, and she had slept with him while being tied to Benedict Howard... If his family misunderstood and thought she was a two-timing schemer, she'd be dead meat.

Alistair raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he answered her question with one of his own. "What kind of relationship do you think we have?"

"That's why I'm asking you," Vanessa forced a smile. "You're from Savannah, right?"

"Yes."

His grandfather was from Savannah, so that technically made him from Savannah too.

Hearing this, Vanessa breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mr. Howard, shall we head out?"

If they didn't leave soon, the gala would start without them!

The moment they stepped out of the room, Vanessa affectionately linked her arm through his solid bicep.

Alistair shot her a sideways glance.

"Hehe."

Vanessa offered a sycophantic smile.

Once the bouncers verified the invitation, they were let through.

"Who would ever bring you in?" Giselle didn't buy it and sneered. "You definitely snuck in like a rat. I suggest you get out right now, or when things blow up later, it's going to end badly for you."

As long as Vanessa was gone, she'd be the only one with a chance to speak to Valen tonight. She would have a one hundred percent success rate in convincing him to hand over the exclusive distribution rights for Greater China.

"Did you think a living, breathing person could just turn into a little bee and fly in?" Vanessa reached out and flicked Giselle's forehead. "How are you just as stupid as when we were kids?"

Giselle grabbed her forehead, stumbling back two steps as she glared like an angry cat.

"Vanessa Grant, you dare hit me!"

Vanessa arched an eyebrow. "Correction: I tapped you. I was hoping it might knock some sense into you."

"What's going on?"

Right on cue, Malcom walked over.

When he saw Vanessa, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

"Vanessa, how did you get in here?"

Giselle desperately clung to Malcom's arm. "Malcom, hurry up and tell Caleb! A pest snuck in here somehow. Tell security to throw her out!"