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."

turned, eyebrows raised in question. His expression had shifted, the playfulness replaced

Claire softened. She gave him a

down the hallway to where Sandra was waiting at her desk. "Have my car ready in the lobby," Claire instructed, and without missing a beat, Sandra got to work on her phone. Claire made a quick call, her

for hours with no response. Claire didn't so much as glance in their direction as she exited the building, her focus unwavering. She ignored the rapid-fire questions hurled her way, slipping into the backseat of

After an hour of sitting in traffic, Claire huffed in frustration, muttering under her breath. "Should've

no time, hopping out of the car the second it stopped.

the moment she stepped inside, she froze. There, sitting casually in one of the plush

caught off guard. "Adrian? What are you

easygoing way of his. "Heard you

gave him a

surrender. "Guilty. He thought you might need a

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

out in the seat, clearly unbothered. "I've got plenty of time, and besides, what better way to be productive than

upward in a smirk. 'Productive, huh? You just want a

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

jet started to hum

to

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 the kind of guy who had her back, no matter how

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

name with

to Claudia's doorstep and

her head. "Definitely not that. But I haven't really thought about it. However, since I want to get this done fast, head over to her office,

her element, flipping open her laptop with a flourish and glancing