New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 249 Offering

The helicopter's rotor whirred to life, the deafening noise it made so loud. Claire and Matthew were sat in the back, fastening their seatbelts and sorting out their headphones. The pilot glanced back, giving them a quick nod to make sure they were all set, then, with a smooth motion, he lifted the helicopter into the air.

It did not take them more than ten minutes, as Claire insisted on using the helicopter for speed. As soon as the helicopter touched down onto the helipad, Claire unbuckled her seatbelt, stepped out, and thanked the pilot with a quick nod. Matthew was right behind her, easing out his long legs as they walked toward the building. Employees greeted Claire as she made her way inside. They clearly were all surprised to see her. One of them, a young man named Simon, smiled as he approached her. "Ms. Peterson! We don't see you at the headquarters much these days."

Claire gave him a small smile, trying to remember his name. "I've been busy," she said, which was the understatement of the century.

Simon nodded vigorously. "Well, good to see you again, ma'am."

Claire only smiled in return and resumed her progress to her office, Matthew still following in her wake. Once inside, she dropped down into her desk chair with a contented sigh. "It's been ages since I've been in Cryptonic," she said out loud, turning to Matthew. "I rather miss it."

Matthew leaned against the doorframe, chuckling. "You mean you were too busy with Metacortex to remember Cryptonic even existed," he teased. "Honestly, I was starting to think you'd forgotten how to hack."

Claire rolled her eyes at Matthew's theatrics. "Please, as if I'd ever forget," she replied, turning on her computer. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, sending a quick notification to Stephen's computer.

Matthew raised an eyebrow and sat down in one of the chairs in front of her desk. "What are you up to now?" he asked, curious.

"I just sent a notification to Stephen's computer," Claire replied, without looking up from her screen. "I need him to come to my office."

Matthew grinned, leaning back in his chair. "So, you do remember how Cryptonic works. Impressive."

Claire gave him a look. "Say that one more time, and I'll fire you," she said, though the corners of her mouth quivered in amusement.

Matthew raised his hands in mock surrender, still smiling. "Alright, alright. I won't say another word."

Meanwhile back at Metacortex, Alexander was busy observing the building's robotic systems. He couldn't help but be impressed. Claire had indeed succeeded in assembling a team that was composed of some very talented people, not just one or two, but ten of them. Each one was even more talented than the last.

fiddled with

raising her

"I really need to be going. I still

her tools and looked slightly disappointed. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay a bit longer? Maybe

"I am unable to; my work has no holidays," he said, though part of him had wanted to stay on. But business was business,

safe travels, Alex," she said

to leave. Down in the lobby, he caught sight of Adrian Saint Laurent standing near the entrance. Alex frowned, not knowing what

the Saint Laurent family. Alexander couldn't help feeling slightly jealous that Adrian could get close to Claire and even have a decent conversation without any arguing, whereas he? He always ended up in an argument. Alexander starting to think that it's

him, Alexander would probably do the

asking him what he was doing there, but his phone

frown etched on his face as Alexander walked out

Claire

staring straight into Stephen's eyes. He was seated across from her, looking decidedly

glasses every few secon

to Claire that

nervous.

It was

hands firmly on her desk, her tone

Ms. Peterson?" Stephen replied, his voice

a small smile.

stammered at first,

cleared his throat and tried again. "Well, since I was in elementary school, I've always loved robots: mean, who doesn't, right? I used to take apart my toys and try to put them back together, but better. Inchigh school, I joined the robotics club, and we

a picture of you online," she said. "You

his glasses again. "Thank you, Ms.

much of your time, so let's cut to the chase. Have you heard about Metacortex and Harris Company working together?" Stephen nodded eagerly. "Yes, I have. Everyone's talking