Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 47

The gazes directed at Vanessa grew increasingly thick with undisguised contempt and disdain, prickling her skin like a thousand tiny needles.

"This is what happens when someone grows up without a mother's guidance. She may have a pretty face, but her behavior belongs in the gutter."

"A pretty face won't feed a company. What matters is composure and intelligence. If the Grant Corporation really falls into her hands, bankruptcy is just around the corner."

"I feel so bad for the younger Grant girl. She must have been bullied to her breaking point to finally snap in public."

"Her skin is so thick. After pulling a stunt like this, she still has the nerve to stand there? If I were her, I would have run away in shame by now."

"Vanessa, I don't blame you. We're sisters, after all." Giselle took a step forward, grabbing Vanessa's arm and whispering forcefully. "Stop humiliating yourself! Just go home!"

Vanessa smoothly reversed their grip, lightly locking her fingers around Giselle's hand with a bright smile. "What's the rush, Giselle? I just told you that you lack brains, and it seems you really didn't take it to heart. When you staged this pathetic frame job, didn't you bother to check if this hall had security cameras?"

She cast a sidelong glance toward the southeast corner, where a discreet security camera sat silently mounted on the wall.

Because it was partially obscured by decorative fixtures, it was nearly impossible to spot unless someone was actively looking for it.

Earlier, when Giselle intentionally threw herself in her direction, Vanessa had smoothly sidestepped while quickly scanning the room, sharply catching sight of the hidden camera in the corner.

Giselle followed her gaze, and her face instantly drained of color. The smug triumph she had worn just moments ago evaporated completely, replaced by a flash of sheer panic.

"Giselle, why don't we ask the hotel staff to pull up the footage? We can all see for ourselves whether you threw yourself onto the floor or if I maliciously pushed you." Vanessa's voice wasn't overly loud, but it carried clearly to every person in the room. "Or perhaps, you just directed your own little stage play and took everyone here for fools?"

She placed deliberate, mocking emphasis on the word fools.

"I have nothing to hide! My conscience is clear!"

Giselle forced herself to maintain her composure, shooting a discreet glance at Malcom. Catching her drift, Malcom quietly backed away and quickly vanished into the crowd.

Instantly, everything clicked.

Sensing her gaze, Malcom stepped forward, his tone gentle. "Vanessa, since it's come to this, you should just admit what you did. Giselle is so kind-hearted, I'm sure she won't hold it against you."

With the camera conveniently broken, Vanessa's defense was dead in the water.

The crowd was already biased, fully buying into Giselle's one-sided sob story. People naturally gravitated toward protecting whoever appeared to be the victim.

"Ace, if you don't step in soon, your little kitten is going to get torn apart."

Nolan leaned against the railing, watching the show with a half-smile.

Caleb snapped out of his daze, absolutely stunned.