New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 411 Arrested

Eligos's fingers moved quickly across his keyboard as he hacked his way into Claire's computer system, a smug smile spreading across his face.

With a few more taps, he typed the message: "I know your secret." He hit send and leaned back, crossing his arms and letting out a chuckle. "It's like taking candy from a baby," he muttered to himself, thoroughly pleased with his handiwork.

Meanwhile, in her sleek Metacortex office, Claire's eyes darted to her monitor as a loud ping sounded. She clicked open the notification that had popped up on her screen, and a single line glared back at her: I know your secret.

"What is this?" she muttered under her breath, her brows knitting together in frustration. She began furiously typing, trying to trace the source. But whoever had sent the message had bounced the IP address across five different locations. The whole thing was practically a

maze.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Is this a joke?" she sighed, realizing that tracing the message was a waste of time. It seemed likely to be the same person who'd baited her into that trap a few weeks ago. But her thoughts drifted for a moment.

Yesterday, Cindy had mentioned knowing "her secret" too. Now this unknown sender was doing the same thing? It had to be more than a coincidence, but she pushed the thought aside. She wasn't about to let a few words on a screen shake her. Focus was essential. Back in his hideout, Eligos casually tossed a baseball against the wall, his mind already racing through possible ways to rattle Claire further. The ping wasn't enough; he wanted a bigger reaction, something that would get under her skin.

One of his men, standing nearby with a serious expression, interrupted his thoughts. "Why don't we just throw her in jail? That'd get some attention. Wouldn't that be a fun headline?"

Eligos caught the ball, his eyes lighting up as he considered the suggestion. "Now, that's an interesting idea," he mused, leaning forward. "I've got two options in mind, actually. One, we could expose her secret and tell the world who she really is-show everyone that she's the infamous Raven." He tossed the ball from hand to hand, thinking it over. "But that might be too easy. It's like finishing a good book after just one chapter. No, I need something more... engaging."

"So...?" his man prompted, eyebrows raised.

"So, we're going with Plan B. Imagine this: Claire gets hauled off to jail with a mountain of suspicion and barely any defense. We don't need her locked up forever, just long enough to make her sweat." Eligos's grin widened as he outlined his plan. "There's still the whole unsolved mess of that dead guy found in the trunk. She's already a prime suspect. If we plant the weapon used in that murder-let's say in her penthouse or car-and then I send a little tip to the police, she'll be cornered like a rat." His man nodded in agreement, a spark of amusement flickering in his eyes. "You really think they'll buy it?"

any evidence to clear herself, she'll be in jail, scratching her head, wondering what

her mind, though she refused to let it get to her. She was Claire Peterson, after all, not someone who'd buckle under the threat of a mystery email. The following day, however, her morning routine took an unexpected turn. She stepped out of her car in the Metacortex parking lot, her keys clutched in her hand, only to be greeted by two police officers standing by her car. "Claire Peterson?" one of them asked in

keeping her tone

of your vehicle," he said,

she kept her cool. "May

tip that some crucial evidence may be in your possession. We're following up on it," he explained, his

she could ask anything

officers were already at

gloved hands methodically searching the car. After a few tense minutes, one officer lifted something from the passenger seat—a small, slender knife wrapped in

be happening," she muttered under her breath, though her

"Ms. Peterson, we're going to have to ask you to come with

jaw dropped in disbelief. "What? No! I refuse. That isn't mine. I have

you explain why this in your car is?" The police

"I-I don't know."

choice but to come with

things worse. She walked with the officers to their

the other

frozen as the words "Claire Peterson Arrested" flashed across the screen in bold letters. He couldn't believe it. Claire? Arrested? This had to be some sort of prank or media stunt. But no, there it was-the

staring at the

the volume as he stared, mouth open, at the screen. There was a blurry shot of Claire, looking none too pleased as police