New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 325 Solstice Vineyard

The courtroom buzzed with a low murmur of voices as Claire stood by, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the judge. She sighed, frustration building in her chest. The trial had dragged on longer than she anticipated, and the judge had just announced that she needed more time to review the evidence. "Why can't this just be over today?" Claire muttered under her breath. She was hoping to wrap things up, but it looked like the wheels of justice were moving slower than she expected. "I just want this nightmare to end."

Matthew, standing beside her, noticed her frustration and leaned in with a reassuring smile. "Hey, don't worry, Claire. The judge is just being thorough. It'll be over soon."

"Yeah, but not soon enough," Claire replied, glancing at the clock. She was hoping today would be the day she could finally press charges against Lisa and put it all behind her. But law wasn't as easy as signing a paper. It was a waiting game, and today, the game wasn't in her favor.

Meanwhile, Alexander Harris was not having the smoothest day either. He had tried to set up a meeting with Claudia Wright yesterday, but she'd flat-out rejected him, saying she didn't want to meet.

He found it strange since she had shown up at Claire's press release, looking as calm and confident as ever. Yet now, when he wanted to talk business, Claudia was playing hard to get.

Alexander was nothing if not persistent. When Claudia finally agreed to meet, she directed him to a small, almost obscure restaurant. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he wasn't going to turn down the chance to figure out what was going on in her head.

He pulled up to the restaurant and parked his car, glancing at the nearly empty lot. "This better be worth my time," he muttered before getting out and making his way inside. The restaurant was quiet, eerily so, and it didn't take him long to spot Claudia sitting alone at a table in the center of the room, calmly stirring her tea.

As Alexander approached, Claudia's lips curled into a small smile, and without even looking up, she spoke. "You came."

He stopped in front of her, irritation clear on his face. "You sound surprised," he said dryly.

Claudia finally looked up, her smile widening just a touch. "Not surprised, just amused."

Alexander narrowed his eyes. "Alright, Claudia. What do you want? I'm not here to play games."

She chuckled softly, still stirring her tea as if his presence hadn't shifted the air in the room. "Oh, Alexander. Always so direct. But business talk can wait. Why rush things when we can enjoy a nice meal first?"

clapped her hands, and as if on cue, a server appeared, placing plates of

still smiling. "Take a seat. It'll only

sat down, his eyes never leaving

smile turning into a smirk.

what you've put in it," Alexander shot back, his tone

let out a short laugh. "Smart man. But if I wanted to poison you,

on his plate, and took a big bite. After chewing dramatically, she swallowed and grinned. "See? Nothing happened. If

budge. He folded his arms

If you're not going to eat, you'll just have to wait until

already running thin. He leaned forward,

never leaving his. "You seem tense. You

refused to meet, and now I'm here in some quiet restaurant while you play games.

you found out my name. Thank you for investigating me."

interrupted my business partner's press release." He glared

was doing her a favor, so she won't make any deals with

late, she is already my business partner.

Claire's press release, then dodge me when I try to reach out. Now you're acting like you control the room." Claudia chuckled again, though there

didn't miss a beat. "I want 70%

He stared at her like she

arms. "What? You don't want to agree with

a negotiation. That's you telling me to hand over everything. What do I get

years. That's what my father felt every day. Thirty percent

Alexander's laughter died quickly,