Chapter 398 Visiting Adrian

As Claire stepped into her office, a familiar voice greeted her from across the room. "How's the self-care going?" Matthew was seated on her desk, casually flipping through a newspaper.

Claire let out a long sigh and plopped down on the couch. "It went well. Honestly, I feel relaxed... but," she trailed off, a thoughtful look crossing her face.

Matthew raised a brow, folding the newspaper. "Uh-oh. What's the 'but'?"

Claire turned fully to him, frowning. "I ran into Cindy Marshall."

Matthew chuckled. "Name rings a bell, doesn't it?"

She snapped her fingers, clearly frustrated. "Exactly! Sounds so familiar, but I can't remember where from."

Matthew leaned back, a playful smirk on his face. "Claire, your age is showing."

Claire shot him a glare. "Very funny."

"Hey, I'm just saying," he shrugged. "You remember telling me about her a few months back? The whole mess in America-Cindy Marshall and her dad, Alexander. You even said Alexander pretty much single-handedly ruined her career. Ringing any bells now?" Realization dawned on her face, and she nodded. "That's why her name sounded so familiar. I can't believe I forgot that."

"Must've been one heck of a self-care day if it wiped her right out of your memory."

She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I saw her at my regular salon. But, like... what's she even doing here in London? She's American, and after everything that happened, I thought her career was pretty much over."

Matthew scratched his chin, thinking. "Funny you mention that I saw a new billboard with her face on it just the other day. I thought it was weird, too, given what you told me about Alexander putting an end to her career."

Claire shrugged, looking bored already. "Probably ran crying to Daddy and got herself a job."

Matthew smirked. "So you're not worried?"

close. She's not on my radar. I mean, she's not

on

eyes. "Ugh. Stuck, honestly. No clues, no nothing. Weirdly enough, there hasn't been any movement these past few days. Whoever this person is, they've been haunting me constantly, but suddenly... radio silence.

clearly intrigued. "So, it's good

a few bugs I need to work

still progress. Anyway, keep me posted. I'm still working on finding the

leave that delightful task in your

a little wave before he strolled out of

and picked up where she'd left off. After a while,

that meeting tomorrow with

and nodded. "Got it. Thanks,

clock struck five, Claire decided to call it a day. She packed up, slipped her things into her bag, and headed downstairs to the lobby, where her driver was waiting. A light rain had started, soft drops hitting the car windows as they

floor, and made her way to his room. She knocked gently, then pushed the door open, spotting him watching TV with a

but smile, though her heart twisted a bit. "How're

bed. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm fine, Claire. Really.

brows knitted. "It is my fault. Everything that happened... if

his expression softening as he looked at her. "None of this is on you. And

be better if we kept our distance in the future." Adrian's face

you away, Adrian. It's just... seeing you

her hand tighter. "You don't get it, do you? I'd rather be in this bed a thousand times than lose you. You're

it didn't reach her eyes. "I don't want to keep putting you at risk.

was getting into from the start.

torn. "I just don't

warmth that made her stomach twist. "We're in

the quiet of the hospital room, the only sounds

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