New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 344 Going to France

Alexander Harris gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white as the call ended with a sharp tap. He stood frozen for a moment, staring blankly at the screen, then let out a slow breath. Christian, his assistant, who had been standing nearby the entire time, took a cautious step forward.

"Uh... where's Claudia?" Christian asked, trying to keep his voice neutral, but curiosity was written all over his face. The Claudia drama had everyone in the office on edge lately.

Alexander's jaw tightened as he turned towards Christian. "She's back in France"" he said, his voice as cold as the January wind. The words sliced through the air, leaving no room for further questions. He brushed past Christian without another glance, his long strides heading straight for the door.

"Get the jet ready," Alexander ordered his secretary on the way out. "I'm flying to France."

"Right away, Mr. Harris," the secretary responded, quickly dialing the necessary arrangements.

Christian raised an eyebrow as he hurried to keep up with Alexander's fast pace. Flying to France? This day was getting more complicated by the minute, and he couldn't help but wonder what exactly Claudia had done this time.

Meanwhile, Claire Peterson was feeling somewhat better for the first time in days. Her lunch with Adrian had gone smoothly, which was a miracle in itself, given the chaos surrounding her life lately. As they walked out of the restaurant, Claire looked more relaxed, though the tension hadn't fully left her shoulders. The constant headaches from everything spiraling out of control were still there, lurking just beneath the surface.

"Thanks for lunch, Adrian," Claire said, offering him a grateful smile as they strolled down the sidewalk. "You really didn't have to. I know you're busy."

Adrian chuckled, though there was a nervousness behind it. "Least I could do, Claire. You've been dealing with a lot lately." He paused for a second, rubbing the back of his neck as if searching for the right words. His heart pounded, and for a brief moment, he considered saying something he'd been holding back for a while now. But just as he opened his mouth, Claire's face clouded over.

"Adrian..." she muttered, her eyes narrowing. "Why are there so many journalists out here?"

Adrian spun around and blinked, his eyes landing on a crowd of reporters gathered outside the restaurant. A camera flashed, and one of the journalists raised a microphone.

"I have no idea," Adrian said, confusion spreading across his face. "Maybe there's a celebrity in the restaurant?"

Claire shook her head, her brows knitting together in suspicion. "This doesn't feel right.

being hurled at her left and right. "Claire, any comment on Harris Company's recent scandal?" one reporter asked, shoving their mic

and immediately, her mind raced to Claudia Wright, wondering if this had

said softly, helping Claire into her car while shielding her from the reporters. Claire didn't resist, but she

the door, one of the journalists yelled something that made Claire freeze in her seat. "What do you think about Alexander Harris trending for mistreating

you say?" Claire called back, leaning out of the car window. The journalist, sensing a

social media. There's a video of him treating his employees poorly. It's

all. A new problem-again. "What... video?" she asked, though she wasn't sure if she

was about to explain, but Adrian shot her a stern look and stepped in. "Claire, get

thoughts still racing, and sank back into her seat. Adrian closed the door behind her and waved the driver on. "Be careful," he

pulling up social media. Her pulse quickened as she scrolled through the trending topics, and then she found

of his employees. The scene looked heated-uncomfortable. The timestamp showed it was from a couple of years ago, but that didn't seem to matter. People were outraged. Comments flooded in, condemning Alexander's behavior,

this video surfacing now? Who had dug it up, and for what reason? She couldn't

in the plush leather seat of her car, crossing her arms in frustration as she stared out the window. The sun was out, casting bright rays across the city, but she wasn't in the mood to appreciate it. She looked at the driver and

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the traffic. As they neared Harris Company, her mood soured even further. There was a small crowd of journalists. clustered outside the entrance,

vultures right now," Claire muttered, shaking

driver didn't need

twice. He smoothly changed

frustrated. She needed answers, and fast, Pulling out her phone, she dialed Alexander's number trang. And rang.

frowned, staring at the phone like it had personally offended her. Alexander was always quick to pick up, always on top of everything. Why now,

Christian. He picked

hey," Christian's voice was calm but a little tense. "I'm guessing

already had a bad feeling. "Christian, what the hell is going

his reputation. A video of him yelling at an employee from a couple of years ago

deepening. "Okay,