Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 80

Silas slowly descended the staircase, casting an emotionless glance his way before taking a seat on the sofa.

"What brings you here at such an hour, Lucas?"

Lucas stood frozen, trembling violently from the cold. He looked up at Silas, his lips quivering.

"Mr. Sterling, I apologize for the late intrusion. I just have a few questions I need to ask you."

Silas took a sip of his hot tea. "Sit down and talk."

"That won't be necessary. I'll leave as soon as I get my answers."

"Ask away."

"The startup capital you gave me years ago... you didn't do it because you admired my talent and ambition. Someone else told you to help me, didn't they?"

Silas had assumed he was here to demand answers about the withdrawn investment and cut ties, but he certainly hadn't expected this.

"Since you've already guessed the truth, why bother making this trip at all?"

It was actually true!

Lucas's body jolted, and he stumbled forward two steps.

"Was that person... Vanessa?"

Silas set his teacup down, his voice calm but every word piercingly clear.

"That initial funding was Miss Grant sponsoring you under my name. All the subsequent support and guidance you received were also entirely at her behest."

"Why?" His voice was ragged. "What kind of relationship do you two have?"

Silas slowly recounted a piece of history.

"I was simply honoring a promise I made to her grandfather years ago. I just never expected she would use that massive favor on you."

He was an absolute titan in Savannah; a single promise from him was worth millions.

Lucas's fingers curled inward, clenching into deathly tight fists, his breathing so rapid it bordered on hyperventilation.

"Then... does she have another identity?"

Silas stared at him heavily for a few seconds, his tone razor-sharp. "That, I don't know. But no matter who she is, you completely and utterly betrayed a woman who gave you her pure, unadulterated devotion."

"I was an idiot. I made a mistake, and I failed her. Do you know where she is? I want to get her back."

"I don't know. Once she said goodbye and left Savannah, we haven't been in contact."

Belated devotion was cheaper than dirt.

Vanessa didn't tolerate betrayal; she was dead set on never looking back.

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