New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 399 What’s Her Next Game?

The next morning, Claire opted for the helicopter instead of her usual car to get to Cryptonic, hoping to dodge the traffic that clogged the streets below. As they zipped over the city, Claire glanced down, thinking how much simpler life would be if problems were as easy to Once she touched down, she wasted no time heading to her office. Last night, she'd had a late conversation with Winnie, and despite it only being day two of the assignment, Claire was itching for an update on Lisa. What had Winnie learned so far? She was eager to find out.

bypass as morning gridlock. Unfortunately, with the mounting complications piling up, it didn't feel that way.

Around ten, Winnie arrived, her usual calm composure intact as she entered Claire's office. Claire motioned for her to sit down and asked her assistant, Billy, to bring in tea. As they waited, Claire studied Winnie, wondering if the mild-mannered therapist was finding the job as nerve-wracking as Claire had expected. When the tea arrived, Claire poured a cup for each of them, gesturing for Winnie to take hers. "Drink up, relax a bit," Claire said with a small smile.

Winnie smiled back, taking a sip before setting the cup down. "Thank you, Ms. Peterson."

"So," Claire leaned forward, fingers steepled under her chin, "how is everything going? How's the acting going with Lisa?"

Winnie took a deep breath, her fingers brushing the edge of her cup. "It's... going well, I think. But, honestly, it's still pretty nerve-wracking. Every time I walk into that room, I'm reminded I'm breaking the law. Fake credentials, fake identity-it's a lot."

Claire nodded, her expression softening slightly. She knew it was a lot to ask, but they didn't exactly have other options. "I get it. Believe me, I know this isn't an easy role to play. But we need to understand Lisa's angle. Her whole fake-crazy act has a reason, and I need to know what it is."

Winnie took another sip of tea, and then cleared her throat. "So, it's only been two days, so I haven't gotten too far. But yesterday, Lisa was more talkative. We even played a game of chess."

"Chess?" Claire raised her eyebrows. "Interesting choice for a therapy session."

"I need to get something out of her," Winnie explained, "and while we played, I casually asked her what she'd do if she had to 'eliminate' her enemies. Just a hypothetical." Claire's brows shot up. "Oh? Do tell."

as hard to deal with as everyone thinks. You just have to play smarter. I'll wait until that person

Enemies aren't as hard to deal with... wait until they show weakness... It sounded like Lisa was waiting, biding her time. But how could she do anything if she was stuck inside

had any visitors?" Claire

her head. "Not when I was there, at least. No friends, no

even her mother?" Claire's eyes narrowed. Lisa's mother was the only family member they knew of who might still visit her, if

confirmed. "But I'll keep an eye out and let you know

grateful for Winnie's thoroughness. "Thanks. This is good work, Winnie. Keep

her coat. "Well, I'd better get going. Today's my third session with Lisa. Let's hope

bit playful. "Careful in there. Lisa's not exactly predictable, and I wouldn't be surprised if she tries something.

cleared her throat. "I'll do my

that, Winnie headed

to her thoughts.

was easing up, not even a little. Tomorrow, she'd have to go back to the police station for another round of questioning about that dead body in the trunk. And it wasn't even her fault! She'd

off her frustration, she grabbed her things, ready to leave Cryptonic and head over to Metacortex for a meeting. The helicopter was waiting, so she hopped

Metacortex, Sandra, her assistant, met her at the entrance and escorted her to the meeting room. As Claire stepped inside, her

smiling back. "Always a pleasure. Ready to dive

nodded enthusiastically, and they both sat down. They spent the next half hour discussing

asked at

"It's promising, definitely

hand. "Costs can be managed. Think of the PR value alone. People are