Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 45

Malcom's gaze locked firmly onto Vanessa. His tone was wrapped in a gentle, gentlemanly veneer, but hid a subtle undertone of control.

"Vanessa, just beg me, and I'll help you."

In the past, Vanessa had been the untouchable goddess of their university, admired and desired by countless men.

He had been one of them back then, mustering all his courage to publicly confess his feelings to her at the crowded school gates.

But in the face of his passionate confession, she hadn't shown a ripple of emotion. She rejected him directly and publicly, turning him into the laughingstock of the entire school.

He had even heard that three years ago, she looked down on the patriarch of the Howard family, fleeing Sterling City overnight to avoid the marriage.

As for the Grant family, because they had offended the Howards, their company had been struggling immensely these past few years, completely stagnated.

He dreamed of dragging this untouchable goddess down from her pedestal and making her his woman.

So when Vanessa reached out to him out of the blue, he knew his chance had finally come!

Vanessa's eyes turned icy, her red lips curving into a mocking smirk. "Malcom Jenson, stop humiliating yourself. I didn't like you three years ago, and I certainly don't like you now!"

"Fine, Vanessa! If that's how it is, don't blame me for ignoring our old classmates' bond!" After spitting those words, Malcom saw Caleb Chambers walking in and hurriedly waved him over.

"Caleb..."

Malcom enthusiastically greeted him, rushing over to whisper something in his ear. Afterward, Caleb's gaze slowly drifted over to Vanessa's face.

The young woman's flawless, radiant complexion shone under the crystal chandeliers, rendering her so incredibly beautiful that the sight was instantly blinding.

Even Caleb, who rarely showed any interest in women, thought she looked like an ethereal being—a rare masterpiece rarely seen in the mortal world.

She was definitely top-tier.

"Caleb, my sister..." Giselle paused deliberately. "I don't know what dirty trick she used to sneak in here, but please don't let her ruin your gala tonight."

Caleb narrowed his eyes. He wasn't stupid; these two were clearly trying to use him as their personal hitman.

"If you could make it inside, why couldn't your sister?" Caleb's sharp gaze swept over them. "Where do you think you are?"

Meeting the man's intimidating stare, Giselle froze and looked at Malcom for help.

Malcom originally wanted to use his family's business connections to convince Caleb to kick Vanessa out.

Then, he could swoop in and play the savior, waiting for Vanessa to soften and surrender to him.

Alistair was leaning back casually on the sofa, legs crossed in a posture of effortless, aristocratic dominance. "Congratulations, Caleb. The new vintage is out. Your future is looking bright."

He raised his glass slightly.

Caleb beamed. "Thanks, Ace! Just you gracing us with your presence makes me happy enough. If you like the wine, I'll have my guys send a few cases over to you tomorrow."

"You kid, can't you hear him just being polite?" Nolan chuckled. "He doesn't care about your wine. Keep it and sell it yourself."

"Nolan, Ace hasn't even said anything yet!"

Was his wine really that bad?

He had poured his heart into it, using a brand-new brewing technique to create this batch.

He hosted tonight's gala specifically to launch and promote it.

Nolan smirked. "Compared to the bottles in my private cellar?"

"Well, obviously it can't compete with your private stash, Nolan..."

Caleb suddenly remembered the commotion he had just witnessed in the lobby downstairs.