New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 387 Claire Peterson Statement

Claire sat at the head of the long, polished table, tapping her pen on the armrest as the meeting dragged on.

The shareholders were all staring at her, waiting for some sort of explanation, and she was already mentally exhausted from what felt like the hundredth conversation about her so-called "scandal."

Mr. Montgomery, his gray eyebrows furrowed, finally broke the silence. "Claire, we've all seen the news. The shareholders... well, we didn't expect you to be involved in something like this."

Claire sighed, rubbing her temples. "I wasn't 'involved," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "I was caught in the middle. The car explosion? That was a complete surprise to everyone, Adrian included. And as for finding a dead body in the trunk of a car..." She paused, shaking her head. "Again, not something I was part of. I've already answered every question the police had. It's not like I'm running around with bodies in cars."

Linda, another shareholder who had been quietly watching, cleared her throat. "The stock, Claire. It's taken a hit because of all this."

"I know," Claire replied, her tone sharp but not unkind. "I've been tracking it myself. The drop isn't even that significant-it's the gossip news outlets making it worse with their ridiculous rumors."

Mr. Montgomery crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "So, what do you plan on doing about it?"

Claire sighed again, leaning forward this time. "I'm going to talk to the journalists. I'll set the record straight, and get the real story out there instead of letting them run wild with gossip. That should calm things down."

He gave her a stern look. "Just... be careful next time, Claire. We can't afford to have Metacortex's reputation tainted."

Claire frowned slightly, biting back a sharp response. Funny, she thought. These people were trying to control her as if she didn't own the majority of the company. She mentally scoffed but kept her face neutral.

Without a word, she stood up, straightened her jacket, and nodded to the shareholders. "If you'll excuse me, I've got more pressing work that can't wait." With a polite nod, she exited the room.

to her office, she couldn't help but feel the irritation simmering beneath the surface. The audacity of them, acting like they could tell her what to do with her own company. She rolled her eyes as she pushed open the door to her office. Matthew was lounging on the couch, mid-bite of his

into the chair across from him. "Barely. Where were

a casual shrug. "Lunch break." Matthew took a bite of

him a pointed look. "You should've been in the meeting

those people, talking about stocks and business and blah blah blah." He waved his hand dismissively. "I'd rather be hacking." Claire chuckled,

throwing

laughed. "Exactly what

"So,

her chair slightly. "Well, they were mostly worried about me damaging the company's image. The shareholders were telling me to be careful with my image.

caught in the middle of everything, but they're more concerned about the company's reputation than the fact that I

bit of his food. "Well, that's what selfish people do. They only think about themselves and

her bag. "I'm starving. All this work is

brushing the crumbs off his

they neared the doors, Claire spotted a group of journalists still hovering outside. Matthew

at Matthew, shaking her head. "Nah, it's

hand, motioning for them to calm down. "Everyone, please, let's all calm down," she

a complete accident. The police are investigating, and I have nothing to do with it. As for Bruno and the body in the trunk-I have no idea, was just following a map and ended up in that car. My advisor, Matthew, and I did

questions, but Claire held up her palms, and they quieted down. "What I've told you is

ongoing, and

for the official report just

alPof you."