New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 386 Frank Outburst

Claire sighed as she leaned back in her chair, taking a brief break from her never-ending pile of work. She hadn't been able to visit Adrian because of the hordes of journalists lurking outside her building and the hospital.

It was like they had all decided to turn her life into the world's most public spectacle, and the last thing she wanted was to drag Adrian into it. So, instead of seeing each other in person, they had settled on Face Timing whenever they could. Her phone buzzed, and Adrian's name popped up on the screen. She smiled, swiping to answer the video call. Adrian's face appeared, a little pale but smiling, as always. "Hey, how're you holding up?" he asked, his voice gentle but filled with concern. Claire waved him off with a casual shrug, trying to look nonchalant. "Everything's fine. You know, just dealing with work stuff." She said it like it was no big deal, but Adrian could tell. She wasn't fooling him, not one bit.

"Uh-huh, sure," Adrian said, narrowing his eyes at her through the screen. "You're really gonna sit there and act like everything's peachy? I heard what happened with you and Matthew. Finding a body in a car trunk? Claire, that's not fine." Claire groaned, resting her head in her hand. "Ugh, don't even mention it. It makes me sick just thinking about it." She shot him a look, but there was no real heat behind it-she was too tired to be mad.

"I'm worried about you," Adrian said softly, his expression serious now.

"You're worried about me?" Claire scoffed, leaning closer to the screen. "You're the one who's in the hospital, Adrian. I'm fine. You should be worried about yourself, not me."

Adrian smiled a little, but his eyes still held that worried look. "I wish I could be there with you, you know. Give you some support, at least."

Claire softened, her eyes meeting his. "Hey, just hearing your voice is enough for me. Knowing you care... that's all I need right now." She was about to say more when she suddenly heard a door open on Adrian's end, followed by a loud, cheerful voice. "Adriaaaan!" The shout was so loud that Claire winced, frowning as she tried to figure out who the voice belonged to. Before she could ask, a familiar pair of eyes popped onto the screen, grinning mischievously.

"Edward," Claire said with a playful eye roll. "Why am I not surprised?"

Edward waved enthusiastically at Claire, his grin wide as ever. "Hey, Claire! Miss me?"

"Not even a little," Claire teased back. "Have you gotten any better with your flirting, or are you still terrible at it?"

from the background. "Better give it up, man," Henry's voice

time! And, hey, for

shook his head, trying not to laugh as he watched the two of

shot Claire a mock glare, then looked back at Adrian with a smirk. "You guys can't

argue. "Adrian, I'll call you back later. I've got a meeting I

don't work too hard, okay? Take care of

Edward and Henry a quick wave. "Keep an eye on him

replied with a mock salute,

and Claire stood up, stretching her arms before heading out of her office. She had a shareholder's meeting to attend, and as much as she would've loved

at Venus

full swing.

next test. The air was thick with

gaze followed every movement as if wishing the machine to behave. For a few moments, everything seemed fine... and then, it happened. The

twisted in

could even react, he was already shouting. ""his is the fourth time! The fourth time it malfunctioned!" His voice boomed across the

company!"

the words seemed to die in his throat under Frank's glare. Others simply stared down at

like

the room, leaving the workers scrambling to figure out what had gone

in a much calmer voice than Frank's.