The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 641

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Chapter 641 Truth or Tease

“What’re you getting at, Ms. Belmont?” Raymond arched a brow.

Claudia sank back into the passenger seat, her gaze drifting out the window. There was a touch of awkward defensiveness in her tone. “What’s it sound like? You’re my chauffeur for the night. Consider it a privilege.

Raymond let out a low, quiet chuckle.

“That so?” he drawled, a teasing edge in his voice. “Funny, I seem to recall someone being practically speechless not too long ago. Now you’ve got the nerve to boss me around?”

“You-!” Claudia shot him an annoyed look, the tips of her ears flushing pink. “Could you be any more talkative? Are we going or not? If not, I’ll just grab an Uber.”

She reached for the door handle, but Raymond laughed softly and nudged it shut before she could pull it open.

“Alright, alright, we’re going, Your Majesty,” he said, amusement dancing in his eyes as he straightened up and firmly closed her door.

The luxury sedan dipped slightly under his weight as he slid into the driver’s seat.

The engine came to life with a smooth, low purr.

“Where to?” He glanced over at her, and his expression softened almost imperceptibly when he noticed the lingering tension in her profile.

Claudia stared straight ahead, silent for a beat, then named a downtown hotspot. “Muse Lounge.”

Raymond tapped the address into the navigation.

For a while, the car was quiet, filled only with the calm, automated voice of the GPS.

After a long stretch of silence, Raymond’s tone shifted into something more serious, almost lecturing. “Look-you shouldn’t make a habit of hitting the bar every time something bugs you. Alcohol doesn’t fix anything. It’ll just leave you with a worse headache tomorrow.”

Claudia, who had been leaning against the window, turned and gave him a mock-disgusted look, pretending to clean out her ear. “Raymond, you’re what, a few years older than me? Why do you sound like somebody’s grandpa?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. He let out a faint scoff but didn’t take the bait.

They soon pulled up in front of the upscale lounge.

Almost before the car came to a full stop, Claudia pushed the door open and hopped out.

She took a few steps before realizing she didn’t hear footsteps behind her. Frowning, she turned back.

Raymond was still seated comfortably in the driver’s seat, the overhead light casting sharp shadows across his features. He was scrolling through his phone quickly, clearly preoccupied with something urgent.

Claudia leaned against the car door and tilted her chin up defiantly. “What, not coming? Are you rushing home to finish your

homework?”

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“Raymond looked up and turned off his phone screen.

What had been displayed was arrurgent cross-border merger document requiring his immediate approval, but in that moment, his attention was completely captured by the woman standing outside his car.

He did have a mountain of work waiting for him, but seeing her standing there-all defiant yet somehow expectant-and remembering her crack about him sounding like an old man, he suddenly felt that leaving now would prove her right.

He killed the engine, pulled the key from the ignition, and stepped out.

His tail frame cast a long shadow under the glow of the streetlight.

“You’re buying?” he asked casually as he walked up to her.

Claudia blinked, then nodded. “Obviously. Consider it my thanks for helping me but earlier. Drinks are on me tonight.”

They walked into the lounge one after the other.

Even though Raymond claimed he didn’t frequent places like this, his face was clearly a VIP pass in the city’s upscale nightlife scene. From the bouncer to the floor manager to several groups of patrons they passed, people kept recognizing him, offering respectful, familiar nods.

Raymond’s expression remained mostly neutral.

Claudia observed it all as she led him through the buzzing main area toward the booth she’d reserved in advance.

As soon as they sat down, she couldn’t resist a sly dig. “And here I thought you were above all this. Turns out you’re pretty well- connected around here, Mr. Harper.”

Raymond paused for a second, then replied casually, “Knowing people and enjoying bars aren’t the same thing.”

His logic was so straightforward she couldn’t really argue.

Instead, Claudia grew more curious. She rested her chin in her hand and studied him with interest. “Why don’t you like these places? All the wealthy guys in the city-hell, even your brother-in-law Sebastian-they all have their regular spots to unwind. It’s pretty normal, right? Why are you the exception? Unless…”

She drew out the word, grinning playfully, “You’re a lightweight?”

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