New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 67

Chapter 67 What's Metacortes?

The dining room fell into a momentary hush as the guest's entrance drew everyone's attention

"Am interupting something?" she asked with achamming smile, her eyes scanning the room

Alex's eyes widened in surprise, a shiver running down Lisa's spine as they both recognized the guest. Lisa's grip tightened on the fork in her hand, her unease

palpable

Joan's expression miriored the shockin alex's eyes, while Michael remained impassive, having been the one to invite Claire to join them. Rising from his seat with polite composure, Michael greted Claire warmly. "Not at all, Claire We were just starting. Please, have a seat next to joan."

brought you your favorite chocolate. Thope you don't mind." Clalar said as she handed joan about ciocolate.

joan accepted it with grisine surprise and gratitude, placing it delicately on the rahle beside her.

"Oh, dear, you shouldn't. Is this imported straight from Switzerland?" Joan asked as she stared at the box of chocolate on the table.

Claire nodded with a smile. "Indeed, it is I know you don't eat random chocolate."

"Thank you my dear, have a seat please."

Taking the offered seat next to Joan and across from Lisa, Claire maintained her pleasant demeanor, feigning innocence as she addressed Lisa, "oh, who's this?" she asked, her tone laced with faux surprise.

Alex, however, couldn't contain his anger, standing pabruptly, he turned to his father, his voice edged with frustration. "What's the meaning of this, Dad?" Michael's tone remained cool as he reprimanded his son "Sit down, Alex Don't embarass yourself in front of our guest".

Lisa tugged at Alex's sleeve, silently urging him to calm down and old escalating the situation. With a resized sigh, Alex complied, taking his seat but his expression rained stem.

decided to lighten the atmosphere. "Clain, this is Lisa, Alex's fiancée," she

Dwo women

meal to Claire, ensuring she felt welcome despite the unexpectedness other arrival

doing dear?" Joan

smoothly, "I've been doing well, thank you, I

about that, Claire. I understand

wasn't the easiest," There was a mischievous glint in her eyes that didn't go unnoticed by Alex, who scaled lightly as he took a sip of

at isa. "So, Lisa, where did you go to college? Michael's tone was friendly, seeking to leam

to my mother." the admitted, her voice tinged

line of work did

her throat, her fingers fidgeting slightly under the table. "I've been working at a café as

cheeks

her. Memories of their time working together at the same café flashed through bermind Lisa had a sneaky idea brewing in her

directing her words towards Michael, "chaice

a bite of her steak, paused mid-air, he took hovering over the plate. Her expression remained composed, but there was a thicker of surprise in her eyes at Lisa's unexpected revelation Michael turned his attention to clase, intrigued "oh, is

did work at the caté as a waitress,"

ever mention this, late? We thought you

her demeanor composed. "That was before grandfather

question that made Alextense in

Claire. But the question till lingers in his mind, how does his father found out about

but he

knowing smile. "I'm glad you asked, Mr. Hasting very well," she replied cryptically. Lisa, still trying topice

H

quickly intervened, a hint of waming in his tone as he addressed his

wine, his eyes flickering between Claire and Alex. "Metacontes