New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 413 Showing Up at Her Penthouse

In a hurry, Christian burst through the office door, barely giving it a knock. "Alex, you won't believe this-Claire's been arrested!"

Alexander's eyes widened as he straightened up from his desk, looking almost baffled by the news. "Arrested? Are you serious?" He could hardly believe it, but Christian thrust his phone in Alexander's direction, the headline already blaring across the screen. Alexander took the phone, reading the news alert multiple times as if expecting it to change with each read-through.

"It's real?" he asked, still staring at the screen, disbelief etched across his face.

"Unfortunately, yes," Christian confirmed with a solemn nod. "There's even a video clip of her being escorted into the police car."

Alexander handed Christian's phone back and sighed, quickly pulling his own phone out and dialing Claire's number. Unsurprisingly, it went straight to voicemail. Of course, if she was actually in a cell somewhere, answering his calls would be impossible. He clenched his jaw, frustrated.

Christian watched his boss with a knowing look. "Are we going down there?"

Alexander shook his head reluctantly, leaning back against his desk. "No. If I show up, it'll only create more of a media circus. I'll wait until things calm down and call her later." He tried to sound convincing, but Christian could see Alexander's hesitation. "Besides," he added, more to himself, "Claire will hate the extra attention."

Meanwhile, at Venus AMD, Frank was busy nursing a bruised ego. Monday's disastrous press release was still fresh in everyone's minds, and the board members had not been pleased far from it. His phone was already ringing with business partners calling to complain about Venus' incompetence, and some even hinted that their brand image was being tarnished by association with Venus. Frank could barely look at his phone anymore without seeing a new message about the debacle. Every news story he'd seen about the press event had a certain name attached to it that he despised: Claire. Despite his big plans, she'd managed to steal the spotlight just by stepping in to fix a botched presentation.

The knock on his door startled him out of his fuming, and he growled, "Come in!"

Robert walked in, not looking the least bit intimidated by Frank's irritation. He held a remote and looked at Frank, raising an eyebrow. "You're going to want to see this," he said, turning on the television. The news flickered onto the screen, and there it was-another Claire headline.

Frank frowned. "What's this now?"

Robert nodded at the screen. "Claire Peterson. She's at the police station. Rumor is, there's enough evidence to keep her there for a while."

widened with each passing second. "Finally. This is exactly the kind of news I needed

look. "I wouldn't be so quick to celebrate. But, I guess... it could mean

exclaimed, almost giddy with the possibilities racing through his mind. "Imagine what this could mean for us! We should make a statement-something about how Metacortex can't even stay out of

some people

"As long as they're talking about Claire and her 'scandal,' not about us. By

though he still looked skeptical. Frank could feel his

screen to see if there were any updates on Claire's situation. After

photo showed Claire stepping out of the police station,

involved in her release? He doubted she'd ask for help like that, but it only made him more curious.

few

up his mind.

wouldn't answer his

tried to rationalize his decision, telling himself he'd make it about the hotel's reputation, how her latest scandal could impact the Harris Hotel's image.

probably be fuming. The clock ticked past 9 PM when he finally parked outside her place, his fingers drumming impatiently on the steering wheel. He make his way up to her penthouse and pressed her doorbell and waited, listening to the silence on the other side.

stood Claire, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "What are you doing

mock surrender. "Heard you made the headlines again, Ms. Peterson," he replied dryly. "What

not half as dramatic as they're making it out to be," she muttered, though her sigh gave away her frustration. She shut the door behind him and motioned to the living room. "Sit down if you're staying for this little

he asked, folding his arms. "Because it's not

breath, visibly trying to calm herself before looking at him. "Look, this whole mess is a massive misunderstanding. I'm sorry if

back, studying her carefully. "Alright, so how'd you even manage to get out?" he asked. "I'm

when

clearly skeptical but curious. "And yet, they still managed to

heavily, running