Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 57

Alistair, well-used to her sudden shifts in attitude, chuckled softly. "By my count, doesn't that mean you owe me another favor?"

"Didn't I compensate you last night?"

Vanessa replied without thinking.

"That was separate. Last night, I helped you out of a jam..."

She paused, suddenly realizing what he meant.

"Wait, you were the one who asked Caleb to step in?"

"Who else?"

That explained it...

She had wondered why Caleb had bothered to intervene on her behalf, questioning if he had some ulterior motive.

It turned out she was overthinking it.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

If Caleb hadn't shown up, she might have actually taken the fall if the hotel manager and Malcom had conspired against her without concrete proof.

"I'm telling you now, aren't I?"

"..."

Vanessa lowered her eyes, her fingers curling around her phone. "So, how would you like me to repay you?"

Before he could answer, she quickly added.

"Surely your appetite isn't that insatiable, is it?"

Alistair arched an eyebrow. "I haven't decided yet. Just put it on your tab."

"..."

...

"Did you find her?"

Inside the CEO's office at Vortex Group in Savannah.

Lucas sat on the sofa, the atmosphere thick with oppressive gloom.

"Ms. Grant has left Savannah," Harrison hesitated. "On the day of the wedding, she bought a plane ticket to Sterling City."

Ever since Chloe went on paid maternity leave, Harrison had been promoted to work directly under Lucas.

The entire company had heard rumors about the disastrous wedding.

No one had expected their brilliant, respected CEO to be secretly sleeping with his secretary behind his fiancée's back.

What absolute trash.

But for the sake of his high salary, Harrison kept his disdain to himself.

"Sterling City?"

"Yes."

Lucas frowned, sinking into silence.

Why would she go to Sterling City? Was she really willing to throw away three years of history together just to run off to an unfamiliar place?

"Because I found out Vanessa is there."

Dolly looked up, alarmed. "You mean he's going to track her down?"

"Yeah."

"How does he even have the nerve!"

Chloe, that homewrecker, was still pregnant with his baby.

"I think he's garbage too, but we're just employees. It's not our place to interfere."

"Harrison, you'd better not help him bully Vanessa. Even if you figure out where she is, you have to hide it from him! Or I'm dumping you."

"Don't worry, I'll play it by ear."

Back in the office.

Lucas stared at the meal in front of him, entirely devoid of appetite.

Since Vanessa had left, he hadn't eaten a single proper meal.

Before, she used to prepare all three of his daily meals and deliver them herself.

Knowing he had a bad stomach, she cooked light, healthy dishes that were low in oil and sodium, yet still tasted incredible.

After he ate, she would always brew him a warm pot of tea.

Over the past three years, he had grown completely accustomed to her care.

He opened his desk drawer and took out the jade pendant.