New beginning: Billionaire love story

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?"

her?" Claire scoffed. "Not even close. She's not on my radar. I mean, she's not worth

on your radar, how's it

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. I mean, either they gave up, or

intrigued. "So, it's good enough to

few bugs I need to work

keep me posted. I'm still working on finding the guy behind that whole dead-body-in-the-car-trunk situation. Fun

"Oh, good. I'll leave that delightful

her a little wave before he

she'd left off. After a while, Sandra poked her head in, clipboard

reminder-you've got that meeting

nodded. "Got

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 made their way through the city

steadying herself. She walked inside, took the elevator to Adrian's floor, and made her way to his room. She knocked gently, then pushed the

but smile, though her heart twisted a bit.

him. She obliged, sinking into the chair by his bed. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm fine, Claire. Really.

shook her head, her brows knitted. "It is my fault. Everything that

"None of this is on you. And look, in a week, I'm out of here. Good

without thinking, she said, "Maybe... maybe it'd be better if we kept our distance in the future." Adrian's face fell, and he looked at her with genuine hurt in his eyes. "Claire, don't say that. I don't

to push you away, Adrian. It's just... seeing you like

it, do you? I'd rather be in this bed a thousand times than lose you. You're

touched her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I don't want to keep putting you at risk. My life... it's complicated,

I knew what I was getting into from the start. I'm not some delicate flower you

"I just

simply, looking at her with that same warmth that made her stomach twist.

hospital room, the only sounds were the