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.

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 sandwich, when he noticed her come in. "Hey! boss. You

her head, amused, and plopped down into the chair across from him. "Barely. Where

"Lunch break." Matthew took a bite of

him a pointed look. "You should've

dramatically. "Claire, come on. You know I hate sitting in those stuffy rooms with those people, talking about stocks and business and blah blah blah." He waved his hand dismissively. "I'd

throwing his hands

"Exactly what I

eyebrow, curious. "So, what

let out a sigh, spinning 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. They're worried about me being involved in this 'scandal." Matthew

in her chair. "Yep. I told them I was caught in the middle of everything, but they're

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

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

brushing the crumbs off his shirt. "Food? Finally! Let's

still hovering outside. Matthew grabbed her wrist, pulling her back slightly. "Hey, maybe we should take the back door. Avoid the mob, you

at Matthew, shaking her head. "Nah, it's fine. I need to make

cameras flashing and questions flying. Claire raised a hand, motioning

with it. As for Bruno and the body in the trunk-I have no

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

ongoing,

for the official report

alPof you."