New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 430 Who is that Woman?

Late that evening, Claire paced her room, phone pressed to her ear. She'd been trying to call Matthew for the past fifteen minutes, and when he finally picked up, his cheery tone caught her off guard. "Hey, Claire! What's up?" Matthew greeted, his voice bright and completely oblivious.

Claire didn't share his enthusiasm. Her tone was clipped, serious. "Matthew, have you seen the news?"

Matthew's brows furrowed. "Uh, no? I've been busy keeping Metacortex and Cryptonic systems airtight. You know, since certain people like to mess with our tech. Why? What's going on?"

Claire sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Check the latest headlines. Right now."

"Alright, alright. Hold on," Matthew replied, the sound of his keyboard clicking faintly over the line. The pause that followed was deafening, and when Matthew spoke again, his voice was lower, more serious. "What the-? Claire, this isn't possible. Adrian would never-"

"I know!" Claire cut in, exasperation lacing her words. "That's exactly what I thought. But then again... I don't know what to think right now, Matthew. The picture is everywhere."

Matthew's voice softened. "Claire, listen to me. Adrian is not that guy. If he were, don't you think I would've noticed something before you two even started dating? This has to be a setup."

Claire plopped down on her bed, running a hand through her hair. "You're probably right, but seeing that picture... I don't know. It's hard not to doubt, just a little. What if-?"

"Nope," Matthew interrupted firmly. "We're not doing this. You're not spiraling. Adrian doesn't deserve it, and you don't deserve to stress yourself out over some fake scandal. This isn't him."

Claire let out a long, shaky breath. "Alright. Fine. But we need answers, Matthew. Can you find out where Adrian was last night? And who that woman in the picture is?"

it," Matthew replied without hesitation. "I'll start

quieter now. "I

but take twice as long," Matthew joked lightly, trying to

against her pillows, staring at the ceiling. She trusted Adrian. She did. But the image of him kissing another woman had shaken her in ways she hadn't anticipated. Who was the woman? And why did it look so

the same photo Claire had seen, the one splashed across every media outlet:

sure absolutely sure that the woman he'd been with last night was Claire.

you?" he muttered

on his door broke his concentration. Adrian sighed, running a hand through his

door creaked open, and his mother stepped inside, her expression a mixture of concern

rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not

"You're telling me you didn't kiss

last night, I swear, I saw Claire. I was with Claire

threw his hands up. "She-this woman-she dressed like Claire, walked like Claire, talked like Claire. How was I supposed to know it wasn't her?" His mother sat down on the couch, her expression softening slightly. "Adrian, are you sure this isn't just a misunderstanding? Maybe it's a trick of the light or " "No," Adrian cut her off. "Look at the photo.

nodded grimly. "Exactly what I'm trying

setting down her mug. She wasn't expecting anyone. When she opened the door, she was greeted by Alexander, his usual smug smile plastered on his face. "Morning, Claire," he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. Claire raised an eyebrow. "What are

shrugged. "I just wanted to see how you're doing. You

across her chest, her expression cool. "If you

been a bit of a-" "Stop right there," Claire snapped, her eyes narrowing. "You don't know Adrian like I do. That picture doesn't mean

softer but no less infuriating. "Come on, Claire. You're smart.

you have something useful to say, you