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."

question. His expression had shifted, the playfulness replaced by something

a brief moment, Claire softened. She gave him a small,

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

had thinned out. Maybe they'd grown tired of waiting for hours with no response. Claire didn't so much as glance

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

of the car the second it stopped. The air stewardess and pilot were already there, greeting her as she hurried up the stairs into

of the plush seats,

guard. "Adrian? What are

his. "Heard you were

Claire gave him a knowing look. "Let me guess-Matthew Finnegan

holding his hands up in surrender. "Guilty.

her eyes, amused despite the surprise. "That little sneak," she muttered, before dropping into the seat across from Adrian. "You didn't

got plenty of time, and besides, what better way to be productive than

upward in a

know what are you planning but I want to be there for you." Claire sighed, running a hand through her hair. "That's thoughtful

started to

roared to life. Claire

though usually lighthearted, seemed more focused than usual. She knew he wasn't just there for entertainment. He was the kind of guy who had her back, no matter how

jet lifted into the air, Adrian broke the silence. "So, what's

Wright." Claire says her name with coldness in

up to Claudia's doorstep

since I want to get this done fast, head over to her

a flourish and glancing at Adrian. "Alright, ready for a little