New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 213 Prototype Showing

"What the fuck?!" Lisa spun around, her heart racing as she tried to figure out who had just yanked her away from Claire.

"Quiet, or she'll spot you," the woman hissed, throwing Lisa a stern glare. "Follow me."

Lisa stood her ground, frowning. "Where and why?"

The woman sighed dramatically and stepped closer. "Don't you remember me? I'm Gretta. I invited you to golfing a month ago. Ring a bell?"

Lisa squinted, thinking back. Then it hit her. "Gretta! Yeah, I remember. But what the hell are you doing here, and why did you just ruin my plan?"

Gretta rolled her eyes, grabbing Lisa by the arm and carefully pulling her out of the club, making sure Claire didn't notice them sneaking out. Once they were outside, they hopped into Gretta's car. Gretta quickly told her driver to go, and as they sped away, Lisa's irritation bubbled over.

"Alright, Gretta, what's the big idea? Why'd you drag me into your car?" Lisa demanded, crossing her arms and glaring.

Gretta turned to her, her expression serious. "What you were about to do back there was wrong, Lisa."

Lisa scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Didn't expect you to be so kind to Claire. What, you like her now?"

"Oh, please." Gretta waved her hand dismissively. "I still can't stand Claire. But your plan was stupid. You could've ended up in jail! Do you really want that?"

Lisa hesitated, her defiance wavering as she thought about it. Her hands dropped to her lap, and she sighed. "Honestly, it'd be better than watching Claire live her happy little life. She ruined mine, Gretta. My wedding, my career, and now my public image? I have every right to go through with my plan."

Gretta's eyes narrowed. "Okay, let's say you did stab Claire, but she survives. Your life would be completely ruined. If you want revenge, you've got to be smart about it."

Lisa frowned, curiosity piqued. "And what exactly are you thinking?"

A sly smile spread across Gretta's lips. "I've got a better plan. Trust me, I'd love nothing more than to see Claire fall. I'm sick of her succeeding at everything."

Lisa watched as Gretta's expression turned dark, a sneer curling her lips as she thought of Claire. Then Gretta's gaze returned to Lisa, and she stretched out her hand. "Together, we can bring Claire down. So, what do you say?"

Lisa glanced at Gretta's outstretched palm, her own lips curling into a smirk. She shook Gretta's hand firmly. "Deal. Let's bring Claire down."

peeked over the horizon when Claire heard a knock on her penthouse door. She groaned, glancing at the clock. It

hand, he held two cups of coffee, and in the other, a paper bag that looked suspiciously like it contained pastries. "Good morning, sunshine!" Matthew chirped, stepping inside

are you doing here, Matthew? And

her a mischievous grin. "I'm ready for

him, then glanced at the clock again, just to be sure she hadn't misread it. "The meeting doesn't start for another three hours. You do know that,

wink, placing the coffee

head, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You're impossible, you know

down on one of her dining chairs. "Come on, sit.

she was already up,

the day. Besides, she was curious to see what the team had put together after that whole Venus debacle. She headed to her room to freshen up, calling back to Matthew, "Don't eat all the

promises!" he

Matthew at the table. The croissants were still warm, and the coffee smelled divine. They ate in comfortable silence for a bit before Claire broke

coffee, casually flipping through one of her magazines. Claire grabbed her

you nervous about today?" Matthew asked,

in her voice. "Not nervous.

Matthew assured her confidently.

made their way to Claire's office, the early morning quiet of the city slowly gave way to the usual hustle and bustle. Claire glanced over at Matthew, who was sipping his second coffee of the day.

furrowed. "I don't want to, but I will. Someone

"You're going to play

quipped, grinning. "Someone

made a beeline for her desk, plopping down in

Claire said with a teasing smile, "maybe this

office at Cryptonic is more than enough. Though... I wouldn't say no if you offered," he added with

Claire shot back with

As the team gathered in

every detail with precision. Claire listened intently, her expression serious and focused. Every so often, she'd nod or ask a pointed

When the presentation finally

Jaire sat back, taking

everything she'd just seen,

given the tight timeline and the pressure they were under