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.

the familiar sounds of him typing away, rapid clicks filling the

Matthew's voice returned. "Got her. She's at her office. Sending the address

allons à cette adresse, s'il vous plaît." (we are going to this address, please.) The driver nodded and the car smoothly

but nothing solid. When you have someone you trust, though, someone reliable, everything just sort of falls into place." Adrian leaned back, his

to be shocked, her hand flying dramatically to

mean, the guy is

with that. He's got a way

office for hours, growing more agitated by the minute. The room was sleek, with expensive modern art lining the walls, but to Alexander, it felt like a cage. He had flown

of sitting in that sterile, overly decorated space, his impatience growing by the second.

her desk. Alexander

her cup. "Oh? Which ones specifically, darling?" she asked with a

could feel

stepped closer

the wine stock at my hotel-even after we had an agreement. Then, you

not a drop of tea spilling as

and I was

of the entire staff?" she asked, her tone dripping with

make mistakes, and sometimes they need to be told off for

that's how it works in your world,

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

sickeningly sweet. "You might want to take another look at the contract, Alex. I believe you missed a little detail." Alexander snatched the contract from the table, eyes scanning the pages furiously. His heart pounded in his chest as he read through it, each line making