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 digging right

quieter now. "I

Matthew joked lightly, trying to lift her spirits. "Don't

She did. But the image of him kissing

in his hand. It was the same photo Claire had seen, the one splashed across every media outlet: him, leaning in

He was sure absolutely sure that the woman he'd been with last

are you?" he

sighed, running a hand through his

her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.

groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not what it

pointed look. "You're telling me you didn't

saw Claire. I was with Claire

"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. It's not Claire. I don't know who this woman is, but she went out of her way to mimic Claire. And she fooled me." His mother sighed, her

what I'm trying to

coffee when there was a knock on her hotel door. She frowned, 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 you doing

how you're doing. You

her expression cool. "If you think Adrian and

That photo? It's real. And let's be honest, Adrian's always been a bit of a-" "Stop

"Come on, Claire. You're smart. You know I'm just

unless you have something useful to say, you