Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 92

"That doesn't stop me from having a blind date in Sterling City."

That... actually made a bit of sense.

As long as he wasn't here to sabotage her night, she could relax.

Seeing her breathe a sigh of relief, Alistair's gaze turned somber, his tone cooling.

"Are you that terrified of me clinging to you, Ms. Grant?"

"..."

"Relax. I won't ruin your grand marriage plans, and you don't need to take responsibility for me." He paused, a trace of undetectable bitterness flickering in his dark eyes. "I'll just pretend I was bitten by a stray dog."

Who was he calling a dog?

Vanessa was furious. The man knew how to throw an insult without a single curse word.

She pressed her lips together. "Well, good luck with your date tonight."

With that, she pulled the door open and practically fled the room.

"Vanessa!"

The moment she stepped out, Elaine's voice rang out from nearby.

Elaine walked over with Giselle in tow.

Giselle was clearly dressed to kill. She wore a plunging crimson gown, her chestnut hair styled in voluminous waves. Her heavy makeup and flashy jewelry screamed desperate wealth.

The artificially pushed-up cleavage was impossible to miss.

Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "Elaine, what are you two doing here?"

Elaine smiled warmly. "You're formally meeting Mr. Howard tonight. Giselle and I were worried about you, so we came to offer our support."

Support?

More like sabotage.

She hadn't forgotten the barely concealed jealousy in Elaine's eyes when Arthur Howard insisted on arranging the marriage with Vanessa three years ago.

"Thanks for the concern, Elaine." She shifted her gaze to Giselle, offering a faint smile. "Giselle, you look absolutely stunning. If I were a man, I'd probably fall right at your feet."

Giselle instinctively puffed out her chest, but before she could speak, Elaine cut in.

"She just wants to make a good impression on Mr. Howard. Don't overthink it, Vanessa."

Vanessa stepped forward, her voice smooth and even. "Hello, Mr. Howard. I'm Vanessa Grant. Grandpa Howard arranged our meeting."

Stepping closer, she realized the man's facial features bore a strong resemblance to Arthur Howard.

Hearing this, the man broke into a warm smile. "So it's you. I finally get to meet the woman of the hour. You truly are a rare beauty."

Vanessa paused in surprise.

Wasn't Ace Howard supposed to be a rigid, unsmiling traditionalist?

"Please, have a seat, Ms. Grant."

He gestured to the chair beside him with polite, gentlemanly grace.

"You two don't need to stand on ceremony either. Take a seat wherever you'd like."

Vanessa took the seat next to him, while Elaine pulled Giselle into the chairs directly across from them.

From the moment they sat down, the man's attention remained entirely on Vanessa, openly studying her with lingering interest.

Vanessa sat with perfect posture, casually letting him look without dodging his gaze.

"I honestly didn't expect someone as young as you to be so skilled in medicine, Ms. Grant."