New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 97

Chapter 97 Keep on dreaming

The next day, Claire sat in her office, staring blankly at her computer screen

Hermind was a whithwind of thoughts. Should she go to HIP's office to demand answers, or confront someone at Venus? Or should she retrain from visiting either company? She knew she couldn't just let it go; she needed to find out how Venus had gotten their hands on her ideas.

As she was pondering hernest move, the door to her office burst open. She jumped, startled out of her thoughts, and glared at the intruder. It was Robert, Ils face thshed with anger.

"Claire!" he shouted, stonning into the room. "How did this happen? Hp is collaborating with Venus now,

our biggest rival!"

Claire took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "Robert do not shout at me like that. And never burst into my office without knocking," she said coldly, her eyes narrowing. Her face was deadly serious.

Robert swallowed hard, a hint of nervousness thickering across his face, but he tried to maintain his angry facade. "I need to know what happened with HP. This is a disasted!"

Claire's annoyance deepened. She caused an eyebrow. "How do you even know about it? As far as I know, the collaboration with Hp was confidential."

Robert froze, his mind racing. He hadn't anticipated this question, though he knew it was only a matter of time before Claire asked. He hesitated before answering. "I overheard your secretary talking to the HP team over the phone. You should tell her to be careful next time.'

Claire narrowed her eyes, not entirely convinced. There was something off about Robert's explanation, but she chose to ignore it for now

Robert continued talking. "How did this happen Claire?

want to explain it to him, but Robert is still a part of Metacortex since he has 25% of the shares.

Claire doesn't want

to know anyway? You rarely come to work? raising her brows at Robert carious

I deserve to

trying to calm herself. "Fine. You want to know what happened? Venus stole our ideas. That's

it, all the

Claire "Venus copy our ideas? Are you sure? We may be cival, but I don't they will go this low to

doubting me? You don't even know the progress on Cortex 2.0, Robert. You couldn't differentiate it even if you

a feeling this would happen. My Intuition was right. Claire, you

"You don't even answer my question!" she said in disbelief. "And do you think you are a good CEO than

one who lose a

company, and she needs to maintain her image and professionalism. "What are you trying to say here, Robert? That I'm not capable

found it funny

Robert's with a deadly seriousness. "Do you really think that by ordering me around, I will just hand over my position to you? That's

"Losing one project doesn't mean have failed at managing this company Projects come and go. It's part of the business and I'm sure you

probably stabbing you

my employees. They're loyal, and

laughed mockingly. "And that's why you're not cut out for this. You're very nice, Claire. You don't understand the ruthlessness required

well. Trusting my employees is not a weakness,

back down. 1 understand the business world perfectly w Tradership. Do you even know what I'm talking

part of

off, bringing up a sore point from his past. "Remember your so-called friend, Pedro Petain? The

palpable. Claire chuckled, the sound dripping with sarcasm "Don't worry, Robert. My employees aren't like Petain. I know

can trust."

said seriously, "After everything that's happened, you still have confidence in