New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 347 Payback

They spent the next stretch of the flight chatting about the timeline, laughing over some of the absurd twists and turns in the drama.

Claire filled Adrian in on the major events, from Alexander's public meltdown to the press releases that had sparked it all, and how Claudia had seen her chance to strike. Adrian listened intently, nodding along, occasionally throwing in a sarcastic remark that had Claire rolling her eyes.

The flight was short, and before they knew it, the pilot's voice crackled over the intercom, announcing their descent into Paris.

"Already?" Adrian asked, glancing at his watch.

"Time flies when you're plotting someone's downfall," Claire quipped, shutting her laptop and standing up. She straightened her jacket and made her way to the front of the plane. As she reached the door, she turned and smiled at the pilot. "Thanks for the smooth ride. Excellent service, as always."

The pilot smiled back, giving her a polite nod. "Our pleasure, Ms. Peterson."

Claire thanked the air stewardess too before stepping onto the stairway, the crisp Parisian air greeting her. Adrian followed close behind, pulling his jacket tighter around him.

"Always feels different landing here," Adrian commented as they descended the stairs.

"Yeah, it's got that charm," Claire agreed, spotting the sleek black car waiting for them at the bottom. The driver stood by the car, nodding at Claire as she approached. Without hesitation, they climbed into the backseat, the leather interior cool and smooth. Once inside, Claire took out her phone and dialed Matthew. He picked up almost immediately, his tone casual.

"What's up, Claire?"

"I need Claudia's location," Claire said, her tone brisk.

sounds of him typing away, rapid clicks

a minute or so, Matthew's voice returned. "Got her. She's at her office. Sending the address

à cette adresse, s'il vous plaît." (we are going to this address, please.) The

had some ideas, but nothing solid. When you have someone you trust, though, someone

to be shocked, her hand flying dramatically to

mean, the guy is practically your

with that. He's

the walls, but to Alexander, it felt like a cage. He had flown straight to France the moment

to her office, she wasn't there. Instead, he had been told to wait. One whole hour of sitting in that sterile, overly decorated space, his impatience growing by the second. And now that Claudia had finally

if he weren't fuming on the other side of her desk. Alexander clenched his

over the rim of her cup. "Oh? Which

could feel

He stepped closer to

but sharp. "First you limit the wine stock at my hotel-even after we had an agreement. Then,

of tea spilling as she leaned back in her

a mistake, and I

of the entire staff?" she asked, her

needed fixing," Alexander shot back. "It wasn't mistreatment. People make mistakes, and

sure that's how it works in your world, Mr.

bubbling inside him. "This is not how business works, Claudia! You and I had an agreement, and now you're playing games with

I believe you missed a little detail." Alexander snatched