New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 221 It’s All About Claire.

Claire was sprawled on the couch, a thick blanket wrapped around her like a cocoon, when Matthew stormed into her penthouse. His expression was a mix of exasperation and determination, like he was about to deliver the world's most dramatic speech. "You, Claire," he announced, pointing an accusing finger at her, "are not going to work today. You're not working until you've fully recovered. Doctor's orders."

Claire rolled her eyes, already knowing where this was headed. "Matthew, I'm fine. It's just a little poison. Nothing I haven't handled before."

But Matthew wasn't having it. He crossed his arms, standing tall like some sort of stern babysitter. "Oh, really? And what if you collapse at the office? I'll have to haul your unconscious body out of there."

Claire snorted. "You're being dramatic."

"Dramatic?" Matthew echoed, incredulously. "Claire, if I catch you even thinking about going to Metacortex, I'll personally call security to drag you out. And you know I mean it."

Claire raised an eyebrow, but the small smile playing on her lips betrayed her amusement. "Is that a threat, Matthew?"

"Absolutely," he said, dead serious. "Now, you're going to stay right here, rest, and let me take care of everything. I'll handle the company, the meetings, the phone calls-everything. You just focus on getting better."

Claire's gaze drifted to the bowl of porridge on the table in front of her. She'd been poking at it with her spoon for the last ten minutes, but the thought of eating it didn't exactly thrill her. Her mind was still stuck on last night, specifically on Ivanov's defiant glare and his stubborn refusal to talk.

Noticing her lingering stare, Matthew sighed. "You're still thinking about Ivanov, aren't you?"

Claire looked up from the porridge, leaning back onto the couch. "Can you blame me? He was so adamant about not revealing who sent him. It's frustrating."

Matthew, who had been pacing across the room, stopped and leaned against the dining table. "It's probably one of your many enemies," he said with a shrug. "You've racked up quite a few, you know."

Claire frowned, considering his words. "Sure, but which one?"

"I'll investigate," Matthew assured her. "You don't need to worry about it. But for now, you need to take your medicine and get some rest. The doctor gave you strict orders, remember?" Claire waved her hand dismissively. "I'll take it later."

pulling a small bottle out of his pocket and setting it

eyes at him, but there was no real heat in her gaze. "You're really enjoying

a grin. "I never get to boss you around like this. It's a

she reached for the medicine anyway. "Fine, fine.

satisfied that she was at least trying to follow the doctor's orders. "Good.

door, Claire called after him. "You'd better not mess anything up, Matthew. I don't want to

with a wink. "Relax, boss. I've got it covered. Just focus on

porridge again,

at the bland taste. "Unplanned day off," she muttered to

in his dark living room.

up in the weary lines on his face. His mind was a

him take care of Claire, and, worst of all, Claire's cold, distant response to him. It frustrated him beyond

poured himself another. The burn of the alcohol did little to ease the knot of anger and confusion twisting in his chest. He was so lost in his thoughts that he barely registered the

broke the silence. "Alex?" Christian called out, his tone a mix of surprise

switch, but nothing happened. Frowning, he walked further into the room until he spotted Alex sitting in the dark, the curtains drawn tight

he was standing directly in front of Alex. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at his best friend,

why," Christian added, "are you drinking in the

distant, but he didn't say a word. Instead, he brought the glass to his lips, taking a

With a swift motion, he snatched the glass out of Alex's hand, frowning. "Alright, enough of that. What's going on with

immediately shutting his eyes and grabbing the

stayed silent for a moment,

eyebrow. "Everything? You're going to have to be a bit more specific than

pillow he was still using as a shield. "It's