New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 349 Be Smart

Claudia yanked her wrist free from Alexander's grasp, her eyes blazing with fury. She took a step back, fists clenched at her sides, while Claire stood there, arms crossed, looking utterly unbothered. "What's your answer, Claudia?" Claire's voice was calm but firm, her cold gaze making Claudia wince.

Claudia gritted her teeth, palms fisting tighter as frustration built inside her. Her knees buckled, and she slumped to the floor, tears springing to her eyes. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed, her shoulders shaking as the weight of everything came crashing down. Claire rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Oh, come on, Claudia. We don't have time for this." She tapped her foot impatiently, glancing at her watch. "I asked you a question. What's it gonna be?"

Claudia sniffled and looked up; her face streaked with tears. The coldness in Claire's face was like a slap, making her stomach churn. Claire wasn't going to let her get away with this. With a shaky breath, Claudia wiped her eyes and muttered, "Fine... I'll delete the video. And... and I'll make an apology video too."

Claire gave a curt nod, her expression softening just slightly. "That's what I like to hear. But," she added, her voice hardening again, "this needs to end now. We're not dragging this out."

Claudia blinked, trying to pull herself together. "What... what do you mean?" she stammered, struggling to stand, her legs wobbly beneath her. "I'll do it tomorrow. Just-"

"Tomorrow?" Claire cut her off with a sharp laugh, shaking her head. "You think I've got time? Claudia, if you don't do this right now, I'll upload that video myself. You don't want that, do you?" Claudia's jaw clenched, her face pale with fear and anger. "Fine," she spat, barely able to get the word out.

"Good," Claire smirked, the victory sweet on her lips. "Take your position, then."

Claire turned to Alexander, who was still watching the whole scene unfold, clearly torn between satisfaction and disbelief. "Alex," she said, tossing him a phone. "You're going to film this. And when it's done, upload it straight to social media."

Alexander caught the phone and glanced at Claire, a curious look crossing his face. "Where did you even get that video?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Claire only shrugged, her lips quirking into a sly smile. "I have my ways." She looked back at Claudia, who was still standing awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with both of them. "Now, Claudia, are you ready? This has to be convincing. No half-hearted performance, or we'll be doing this again."

mouth to protest, her face still blotchy from crying, but it was too late.

to push through it. "I... I want to apologize to Harris Company and especially to Alexander Harris. The video

folded as she observed the performance. Claudia didn't even have the courage to look her in the eye. Every word sounded hollow, forced-exactly what Claire expected.

Almost.

a hawk. "Not bad," she said, her tone nonchalant. "It'll do." Alexander stopped the recording and quickly tapped a few buttons, uploading it to social media. "Done," he said, sliding the phone into

her hands limp at her sides, looking completely defeated. Claire stepped forward, her smirk widening. "You know, Claudia," she said in a mocking tone, "sometimes it pays to be smart before you pull stunts like this.

but she said nothing, glaring

pity. The whole thing was just so... predictable. Claudia wasn't the first person to try and

seeing her like this? It

vel

were eerie, really. Lisa had always tried to pull similar stunts, acting tough until the moment everything backfired And just like with Lisa, dealing

Claudia was easy.

she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please... please don't upload anything else about my past." Claire smirked, leaning forward slightly, enjoying this moment. "Only if you keep your end of the agreement. If you try anything, and

cut through the air, cold and unyielding.

toward him, eyes wide with shock.

He crossed his arms and stared at her like she was nothing more than a business inconvenience. "Yes.

face drained of

there, her mouth slightly open, completely caught off guard. She had expected to grovel a bit, sure, but she hadn't seen this coming.