New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 283 Got a Lead

Rafayel's eyes darted between Claire and Matthew, his suspicion growing by the second. The two strangers had just barged into his apartment like they owned the place, and he had no idea who they were or what they wanted. "Who the hell are you?" Rafayel demanded, narrowing his eyes to Claire.

Claire, arms crossed over her chest, gave him a cold, dismissive look. "You don't need to know who I am," she replied, her voice calm but laced with authority.

Rafayel's frown deepened. "Then what do you want from me? I don't know who the hell you are, so you better get out of my apartment."

Matthew, who had been quietly standing behind Claire, took a step forward. Claire didn't bother to look at Rafayel as she spoke again, her voice cutting through the tense air. "I want to know who the woman is that ordered you to hurt Abigail Hastings." Rafayel's body stiffened at the mention of Abigail's name, but he quickly tried to cover his reaction, pretending not to understand. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his voice slightly shaky but still defiant.

Claire raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with his attempt to play dumb. "Really?" she asked sarcastically. "You and your friends aren't exactly good at keeping secrets."

Rafayel's frown deepened. "What do you mean by 'my friends'?"

Claire smirked, finally turning to face him. "The yellow-haired guy and the one in the red hoodie. I met them earlier."

Rafayel's eyes widened in shock, and he quickly realized he was cornered. Claire's smirk grew. "So, are you done pretending not to know what I'm talking about?"

Rafayel stood up from the couch, shaking his head, trying to appear innocent. "I genuinely don't know what you're talking about," he insisted, but the panic in his voice was becoming harder to hide.

Claire sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes as she started pacing around the small apartment. "You know," she began, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "I'm getting really tired of hearing that same excuse over and over again."

in agony. "What the hell! It hurts!" he cried out, his voice filled with panic. Claire tilted her head, scoffing at his reaction. "Still want to deny it?" she asked, her tone

his teeth gritted as he tried to tough it out.

nodded to Matthew, and Matthew applied more pressure, causing Rafayel to yelp louder, pain searing through his arm. "Okay, okay!" Rafayel

digging into his skin. "Talk," she commanded, her voice

quick, shallow gasps. "I don't know!" he

colder. "How convenient," she said sarcastically, clearly not buying his story. "I find it funny how you still managed to accept her dirty work when you don't even know her name." "She never tells

who she is if

number," he added quickly, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I don't know if it's a

Claire demanded, holding

situation, quickly rattled off the digits. Claire handed them to Matthew, who immediately began tracking the number on his

now? I gave you the number," he asked, his voice small and unsure. Claire turned to him, her eyes cold

hurt Abigail Hastings?" Claire asked, her

didn't hurt her!" Rafayel blurted out. "I was just supposed to

I saw the footage. You

Rafayel swallowed hard, realizing

his voice barely above a whisper. "We were

darkened, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "And you think that makes it okay?" she asked, her voice dangerously calm. "You think you're off the hook because you didn't mean for her to get hurt?" Rafayel shook his head quickly, panic creeping back into his voice. "No! No, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I

anything," she said quietly, her tone deadly serious. "You helped ruin someone's life. Do you really think an apology is enough?"