Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 68

"Haven't I always looked this good?" Vanessa shot back with a faint smile, her tone carrying a rare, relaxed lightness.

"How are you settling into the company? Has anyone tried to trip you up?"

"It's been fine. I had a guardian angel help me out, so things went pretty smoothly."

Vanessa slipped off her jacket, hung it casually on the coat rack nearby, and took a seat opposite her.

Taking the cup of hot tea Seraphina handed over, she lightly traced the rim of the cup and glanced around the room.

"Three years, and this place hasn't changed a bit."

This was their go-to spot during college. Quiet, elegant, with incredible food. Over time, it had become their secret base for catching up.

"It hasn't changed," Seraphina sighed softly. "But I got here early and heard from the owner that she's planning on closing it down soon."

"Why?" Vanessa was slightly taken aback.

"Her daughter is severely ill. She needs to move back and focus entirely on taking care of her."

"That's a real shame."

"What if we buy the place? We can consider it helping her out."

Vanessa looked up. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah." Seraphina nodded. "The small company my stepdad left me has been struggling, and I was planning on liquidating it anyway. If we buy Zephyr Bistro, I can step in and run it."

"Let's talk to the owner about a price in a bit, then."

Halfway through their meal, Seraphina suddenly spoke up. "There's a college reunion coming up in a few days. Are you going?"

Vanessa frowned slightly. Honestly, she had zero desire to attend.

"Are you?"

"I am." A flicker of barely concealed anticipation crossed Seraphina's eyes. "I heard Finnian Cross is going to be there."

"It's been three years. You still haven't moved on from him?"

Vanessa was genuinely surprised. Ever since they graduated, she hadn't heard Seraphina mention that name once.

"How could I just forget him like that?"

He was her first love.

"With bone structure like that, even if he's painfully average, there's no way he's ugly."

Vanessa stared at the hazy silhouette for a few seconds longer, her heart suddenly giving a strange flutter.

Alistair had incredible bone structure too. Why did she suddenly feel like this figure looked wildly similar to him?

She quickly pulled herself together, crushing the absurd thought before it could take root.

Attractive people generally just shared similar striking features.

"Where did you even get this photo?"

"I asked a friend back home to do some digging. She didn't have any updates until she sent me this just now," Seraphina replied casually. "She said it was secretly snapped at an investment summit over in Bayside."

Bayside?

Vanessa froze slightly. Alistair was also away on a last-minute business trip, though she hadn't asked him exactly where he went.

She was just debating whether to send him a text to ask when her phone unexpectedly started ringing.

An entirely unknown number flashed across the screen.