New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 291 Saint Laurent Jewelry Auction

Alexander paced back and forth in his penthouse; his phone glued to his ear. His fingers drummed impatiently on the window frame as he stared out at the city lights below. The irritation in his voice could've been felt through the phone. "Have you found Lisa yet?" he snapped, voice laced with frustration.

On the other end, his bodyguard, Jake, sounded far less sure of himself. "Uh, no, sir. We're still looking. We've checked all the usual places, but-"

"You've been watching the surveillance cameras, and you still can't find her? How is that even possible?" Alexander cut him off, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stave off the headache that was creeping in.

"We're doing our best, Mr. Harris," the bodyguard replied quickly, his voice apologetic. "We'll work harder, I promise. We'll find her soon."

Alexander let out a low growl of annoyance. "I don't want 'soon,'. I want now. Find her, ASAP, or I'll" He stopped himself, knowing he was being unreasonable, but stress was making him snap. With a sigh, he shook his head, "Just find her, okay?" "Yes, sir," Jake said hurriedly.

Without another word, Alexander hung up and pocketed his phone with a sharp motion. He glared at his reflection in the mirror, his frustration still simmering under the surface. He reached for the silk butterfly tie he'd been trying to knot for the last ten minutes, but his fingers fumbled again, making him yank it off with a growl.

"Screw this," he muttered to himself, tossing the tie onto the dresser. He grabbed a plain black tie instead and managed to knot it perfectly on the first try, though it didn't make him feel any better. Staring at his reflection, he ran a hand through his dark hair and muttered under his breath.

"This stupid auction," he grumbled, adjusting his jacket. "Why am I even going to this thing? Saint Laurent jewelry?"

He could skip it, but something - or rather someone - was pulling him there tonight. Claire. The thought of her attending the auction was enough to make him want to keep an eye on her, especially after hearing Lisa words and with Lisa going M.I.A, Alexander worry that she might hurt Claire.

Meanwhile, Claire was in the back of a sleek black car, staring out the window. Her mind was far from the glittering event she was about to attend. Instead, she was still dwelling on her last conversation with Alexander. He knew who was behind Abigail's attack, and yet, he refused to tell her. The fact that he'd kept that information from her, despite her asking, gnawed at her.

"Why won't he just tell me?" she mumbled to herself, watching the city lights blur past.

Sitting next to her, Adrian glanced over. His brows furrowed in concern as he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "You okay? You've been awfully quiet."

to him with a forced smile. "I'm fine, really. Just... a

anything, I'm here," Adrian said softly, his eyes searching hers. "You don't have to handle everything alone, you

his offer but shook her head. "Thanks, Adrian,

a small smile anyway. "Just know you're

in this moment, she felt genuinely grateful for Adrian's support. She nodded and smiled a little more sincerely this time. "I appreciate

a light squeeze before pulling his hand

car slowed as it approached the hotel where the auction was being held. Flashing lights and the sounds of photographers shouting filled the air as they pulled up to the

the elite of the elite were all here to show off their wealth. The press was

glanced over at Claire, who sat beside him in their sleek black limo. "You ready?" he asked, giving

nodded, her long

in her black, sparkly dress. Her heels

smile, then opened the door as their bodyguard swung the car door wide. Adrian stepped out first, standing tall as the cameras

he stretched out

Claire.

out of the car with a grace that made the photographers go wild. She was used to this-both of them were. The heir of Saint Laurent, Adrian, and the CEO of Metacortex, Claire, was quite the

from behind the velvet ropes. "Adrian!

best camera-ready grin, ignoring the chaos of the crowd. They posed together as if this was just another

black SUV stopped behind them, and in no time Alexander, the last person Claire wanted to see, stepped out. His tight smile flickered as the

jaw tightening slightly. His stomach churned with something he didn't want to admit. Sure, he wasn't

up the red-carpeted stairs, the journalists screamed his name too, and photographers snapped away like their lives

Who are

like they owned the place. When Adrian spotted him, he gave a cool nod. Claire, on the other hand, gave Alexander a quick, forced smile. She wasn't exactly thrilled to see him either, but for the sake of the cameras, she

sensing some drama, called out, "How about a picture of all