New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 412 Alibi

Matthew followed the officer down a narrow hallway lit by the faint glow of flickering lights. As they approached the cell, he saw Claire pacing back and forth, her usual confident composure now tainted by a mix of frustration and confusion. The clinking of the officer's keys

echoed as he unlocked the door, letting Matthew step closer.

"Claire!" Matthew called out, gripping the cold steel of the cell bars.

She looked up, rolling her eyes as if this were just another minor inconvenience in her day. "Matthew, finally. Do you know how boring it is in here?"

Matthew raised his hands, as if to defend himself. "Hey, I got here as fast as I could. What happened?" He scanned her face, clearly looking for some answers. "I saw the headline on the news, and I thought... well, I didn't think this was happening."

Claire sighed, brushing her fingers through her hair in exasperation. "Well, I was in the parking lot at Metacortex, about to leave when a bunch of police cars rolled up. Next thing I know, they're claiming they got a tip that I have evidence related to the dead man in the trunk." She crossed her arms, her expression growing darker. "And, behold, they searched my car and found a knife. Just like that. Neatly planted for them to find." Matthew's eyes widened. "A knife? In your car? How did it even get there?"

She gave an exaggerated shrug. "That's the question of the day, isn't it? It doesn't make sense. I wouldn't be so sloppy to leave something like that. Someone's trying to set me up. I can feel it."

Matthew nodded, considering. "Alright, first things first, I'll call your lawyer. We're going to need an alibi too. We just have to show you couldn't have been there to do whatever they're accusing you of."

"Right," Claire agreed, nodding, her gaze hopeful. "You could tell them you were with me all night while we were tracking that anonymous hacker." She tilted her head. "That would count, right?"

Matthew hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "There's a problem with that, though. We were using Cryptonic that night, and Billy was in the office with us." He leaned in, lowering his voice. "If we admit that, it's gonna expose Cryptonic. We'd be dragging it into this mess, and we're not supposed to let anyone know it even exists."

Claire bit her lip, thinking it over. She glanced down, and then whispered, "No. Cryptonic have to stay hidden. We can't risk that. Try to find another alibi." Her face suddenly lit up with an idea. "Wait! Adrian. I was at the hospital with him that night. He was still unconscious, but his mother and grandfather were there. They could vouch for me."

face brightened. "Perfect. I'll reach out to them. They can

relief, her shoulders relaxing for the first time since he'd seen her.

smiled, giving her a reassuring nod. "We'll get you out of here. Don't

grimaced, shielding his face as he squeezed through, the police doing their best to keep the crowd at bay. Once he was clear, he

explained. "Here's the deal. The night of your accident, Claire was with you

you, it would be a

them now. We'll head to

a breath, feeling a weight lift

he went back

station, the questioning crowd

As he waited in the lobby, he found his mind facing. Who would go

himself, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "It doesn't add

his wheelchair to find his mother, Adriana. She was reading near the window, but

"For

his head. "I'm not sure of the details, but Matthew said it's a big misunderstanding. Claire needs us to confirm she was with us at the hospital

her eyes. "Of course. We'll leave right away." She put

small nod, though a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes. "Tell Claire... tell her to come by after. I

Mr. Saint Laurent headed out,

Matthew paced

ward, Lisa happened to be watching the news during lunch. Her eyes widened when she saw the headline announcing Claire's arrest. A slow grin spread across her face, and she laughed a loud, unsettling laugh that made other patients glance her way with concern. "Oh, finally,"

at the TV