New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 358 Injustice

Alexander's fist connected with Adrian's cheek, a dull thud reverberating through the restaurant as Adrian stumbled back, clutching his face in shock. Claire's eyes went wide, completely taken aback by the sudden violence. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this. "Alexander!" she yelled, moving quickly to stand between him and Adrian. She shoved Alexander away from Adrian with both hands, her heart racing. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Adrian, still rubbing his cheek, glared at Alexander, his jaw clenched in pain. "You're out of your mind," he muttered.

Claire wasn't about to let this escalate. She turned on Alexander, her voice low but fierce, trying to keep the growing audience of onlookers from hearing. "You're drunk. You're causing a scene. Everyone's staring," she hissed, pointing a finger at him like she was scolding a child. "I told you to stop this, Alexander. You have no right to decide who I see."

Alexander's face flushed with anger, but Claire didn't give him a chance to respond. She grabbed Adrian's hand, giving it a squeeze, and shot Alexander a glare. "Adrian and I? We're together. You need to get that through your head. You're not in control of my life anymore."

Without waiting for a response, Claire pulled Adrian with her, weaving through the restaurant's tables. People were whispering, some staring openly, while others tried to act like they weren't eavesdropping on the whole mess. Claire's heels clicked sharply on the floor as she marched toward the exit, her grip on Adrian's hand firm and unyielding.

Alexander just stood there, blinking as if trying to process what had just happened. He looked lost, unsure of what to do next. That's when Christian, who had been off somewhere and missed the chaos, walked up with a confused expression.

"What'd I miss?" Christian asked, glancing between Alexander and the curious crowd.

Alexander didn't answer. He just stood there, rubbing his knuckles like he wasn't sure if he'd actually just hit Adrian or if it had all been in his head.

The next morning, Claire was still fuming. She couldn't believe Alexander had punched Adrian. Who does that? She muttered to herself as she brushed her hair, her annoyance bubbling up again. "That man is insane," she grumbled. "Completely lost his mind." Adrian, still nursing a sore cheek, had been sweet about it, trying to make light of the situation. But Claire couldn't let it go. Alexander was out of control, drunk, and acting like a jealous fool. It wasn't the first time he'd tried to push his way into her business, but this? This was a new low.

She couldn't dwell on it too much longer, though. Friday had arrived, and that meant one thing-court. Claire arrived at the courthouse for the third trial, her heels clicking on the marble floor, echoing through the halls as she walked with determination. This process had been dragging on for weeks, and she was ready for it to be over.

felt familiar now-the same stuffy air, the same rigid wooden

Lisa.

couldn't help but feel a wave of relief seeing her there. Good. About the time she shows

firm. Lisa's lawyer tried to object to everything, of course. It was their strategy-discredit, delay, deflect. But Claire stayed composed, letting the facts speak for themselves. Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for-the judge was ready to deliver his

judge began, his deep voice carrying through the room, "it has been

smirk that tugged

Finally. Justice.

Thompson is experiencing severe mental disorders. As such, she will be remanded to a psychiatric hospital for treatment." Claire's smirk

reports show

unstable behavior. For these reasons, she will be placed in a psychiatric facility,

her plan. She didn't buy it for a second. Lisa was cunning, manipulative, and now she was playing the "crazy" card to escape real punishment. She tried to stand up, ready to argue, but the judge banged his gavel, silencing her protests. "The decision is final. Ms. Thompson

to be behind bars, not sitting in some cushy psych ward. She turned to David, her expression hard. "Fix this. I want her in jail," Claire said through gritted

do, Claire. But mental health cases are tricky. The judge's decision is final,

as Lisa was

officers. For a brief moment, she caught a glimpse of Lisa's face. It was blank, emotionless-like there was nothing going on behind her eyes. Maybe she really is crazy, Claire thought. But

act, and

her," Claire muttered to David. "She's faking

but unless we can prove it, there's not

into her palms. She wasn't about to let Lisa off the hook. No way. This wasn't