New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 419 Beat Up Matthew

Matthew's head throbbed, a dull ache pulsing with each heartbeat. He tried to reach up to touch his forehead but stopped when he felt the tight restraints on his wrists, tying them firmly behind the back of his chair. His legs were bound, too. He cursed under his breath,

struggling against the ropes, when a low voice echoed in the dark, sending a chill up his spine.

"Finally awake, are we?" Eligos's smooth, taunting tone boomed through the warehouse, and Matthew flinched, scanning the shadows until the man stepped into view.

"Where am I?" Matthew's voice came out hoarse, a mix of frustration and, just maybe, a bit of fear.

Eligos grinned behind his mask. "Oh, just a cozy little hideout," he replied with mock sweetness. "An abandoned warehouse... Don't you worry, Matthew. I'm not going to keep you here forever. Maybe." He smirked, leaning closer, as if savoring Matthew's discomfort. Matthew tried to move, but the ropes just dug deeper into his skin. "You've got a real sense of humor, you know that?" he muttered, throwing Eligos a look filled with defiance.

Eligos didn't respond immediately, instead reaching into his pocket and pulling out a worn file, holding it up for Matthew to see. "I came across something interesting in your... files, let's say. It seems you and Claire enjoy a little detective work, yes?" Matthew narrowed his eyes. "Not sure where you're getting that idea."

"Oh, don't play dumb with me." Eligos leaned forward, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. "I saw the files, Matthew. I know you two have been snooping around, digging for information. Care to explain?"

Matthew kept his gaze steady, his expression calm despite the growing knot in his stomach. "Claire doesn't trust the police. She'd rather handle things herself, and I'm just along for the ride."

"Is that right?" Eligos cocked his head, as if genuinely curious. "But why doesn't she trust them?"

Matthew shrugged, his tone casual. "Who knows? Maybe she just doesn't like their fashion sense."

Eligos let out a low, humorless laugh. He stepped closer, the mask obscuring his expression, though Matthew imagined he was glaring. Matthew couldn't help but smirk, glancing at the mask and raising his eyebrows. "What's so funny?" Eligos asked, his voice laced with irritation.

"Honestly? You look like a kid trying too hard to be scary on Halloween," Matthew replied, a grin slipping onto his face. "Next, you'll be begging for candy."

"You wouldn't be laughing

the big reveal," Matthew shot back,

took a step closer, his posture tense. "Tell me, Matthew, who's

pulse quicken, but he kept his face blank, raising an eyebrow

is Allen,

"Like I said, no clue who you're

against the cold concrete floor. Pain shot up his spine, but he bit down on a groan, refusing to give Eligos

up at Eligos, still as

face twisted, his patience clearly wearing thin. He took a deep breath, then leaned down, muttering in a voice that held a dark, ominous edge, "Loyalty is admirable, Matthew. But do you really think Claire would go this far

take a bullet for her," Matthew replied without missing a beat.

chuckle. "We'll see just how far that loyalty goes." He snapped his fingers, signaling to one of his men. "Seems our guest

henchmen stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. Matthew swallowed, a nervous

dryly. "This is the part where you beat me

smirked, flexing his fists as he approached. "Hey, you're the one who

gaze steady, a slight smirk on his lips even as he braced himself. "Maybe if you guys had better customer service, I'd

punch to Matthew's gut, making him double over as much as the ropes allowed. Pain shot through him, but he managed to let out a pained laugh, looking up at Eligos with a hint of a grin.

The henchman growled, gripping

him back up before delivering another punch, this time

The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth, but he refused to let go of

be impressed," he muttered

his arms crossed, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "You know, Matthew, you