New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 346 Caught Her Off Guard

Matthew glanced up at Claire, eyebrows raised. "What's the plan after this? Just leak it all?"

Claire didn't answer right away. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the desk, deep in thought. Then, with a sudden decision, she buzzed her intercom. "Sandra, get me the jet ready. I'm heading to France." Sandra's voice crackled through the speaker, steady as ever. "On it, Ms. Peterson."

Matthew's eyes went wide. "Wait, wait, wait-France? You're going to France? Like, right now?"

Claire smirked. "What better way to deal with Claudia than face-to-face? I'm not going to sit back and play digital chess. I want her to see me coming."

Matthew crossed his arms, eyebrows knitting together. "But, Claire, come on! You can't just—”

Claire held up a hand to stop him. "I can and I will. Besides, I prefer confronting her directly rather than dealing with this mess from a distance. She's not going to get away with this."

Matthew sat up straight, shaking his head. "Then let me come with you. I'll be there to back you up! You know, in case things get... messy."

Claire rolled her eyes, already anticipating his argument. "Matthew, I need you here in London. You're better off at the office, tracking Claudia's movements. If she's pulling strings, I want to know about it, and you're the best at sniffing out her next moves." Matthew slumped in his seat, looking like a disappointed kid who'd just been told he couldn't go to Disneyland. "But... France! Come on, Claire! I wanna help!"

She chuckled softly, used to his whining by now. "I'll bring you back a souvenir," she teased, unable to resist.

Instantly, Matthew's face lit up, his childish grin spreading ear to ear. "Deal! But it better be a cool souvenir. None of that cheesy Eiffel Tower keychain stuff."

Claire shook her head, smiling despite herself. She had no idea how someone so calculating and brilliant could also be such a complete child sometimes. Standing up, she slung her bag over her shoulder and started for the door.

Just as she reached the threshold, Matthew called after her. "Claire."

His expression had shifted, the playfulness

softened. She gave him a small,

her desk. "Have my car ready in the lobby," Claire instructed, and without missing a beat, Sandra got to work on her phone.

of waiting for hours with no response. Claire didn't so much as glance in

on longer than she'd hoped. After an hour of sitting in traffic, Claire huffed in frustration, muttering under

up at a quieter entrance, one designed for private use. Claire wasted no time, hopping out of the car the second

one of the plush seats, was Adrian, looking like he was exactly

caught off guard. "Adrian? What are

way of his. "Heard you were

arms over her chest, Claire gave him a knowing look. "Let me guess-Matthew

surrender. "Guilty. He thought you might need a partner in

her eyes, amused despite the surprise. "That little sneak," she muttered, before dropping into the seat across from Adrian.

time, and

her eyes at him, her lips twitching upward in a

and I don't know what are you planning but I want to

started to

to life.

her seat, glancing out the window as the plane taxied down the runway. Adrian, though usually lighthearted, seemed more focused than usual. She knew he wasn't just there for entertainment. He was

Adrian broke the silence. "So, what's the game plan

Claire says her name with

up to Claudia's doorstep and

since I want to get this

her laptop with a flourish and glancing at Adrian. "Alright, ready for