New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 438 Who’s Behind It?

Adrian arrived at Claire's place just as the autumn sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with strokes of pink and orange. He stepped out of the sleek black car, his smile warm as he opened the door for her. Claire was already waiting outside, her outfit effortlessly

chic, as always.

"Wow," Adrian said, offering her his arm. "You look stunning."

Claire gave a small laugh, linking her arm through his. "You clean up nicely yourself. I was half-worried you'd show up in a hoodie."

"Hey!" Adrian grinned. "I'd make a hoodie look sophisticated."

"Well," Claire smirked, "you clean up alright."

"Did you manage to avoid the chaos today?" Adrian asked, leaning back against the soft leather seats.

"Define 'chaos," Claire replied with a wry smile. "If you mean dodging paparazzi and people following me around, then yes, barely."

The driver nodded politely as they climbed into the car. As they pulled away, the low hum of the city outside filled the silence between them. Their banter carried on for a bit as the car weaved through the London streets.

"You've been awfully quiet," Adrian said, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Claire smirked and turned to him. "Just enjoying the peace before you start grilling me with questions."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Grill you? I wouldn't dare. I'll just politely interrogate you instead."

"And here I thought this was supposed to be a nice dinner," Claire quipped, crossing her arms in mock defiance.

Adrian leaned back, studying Claire for a moment. "Speaking of which, who was behind it? You said you'd tell me tonight."

"Cindy Marshall." she finally said, her voice steady.

Adrian blinked, sitting up straighter. "Was she really the one who drugged me?"

Claire nodded. "Yup. She spiked your drink and set up the whole thing."

his brows furrowing. "Cindy Marshall? The same Cindy who came to

brow,

yes. She was all professional, all polite-asking about projects, possible collaborations. And the whole time, she was planning...

only thing Cindy Marshall cares about is her career. Business talk? That was just an excuse to get close to

in disbelief, muttering something in French

curiosity. "Why would she do this, though? What does she gain

thought. "She said she's jealous of my life," she admitted.

his head,

sudden comeback. One minute her career's in shambles, and the

together. "You think someone

what happened with Alexander. She embarrassed me, and Alexander took her down for it. I

his voice picking up speed. "Are you saying this is the same Cindy who humiliated you at that business forum in the States? The

only," Claire confirmed with

seat, looking genuinely astonished. "Unbelievable. I didn't connect the

back, doing photoshoots and acting like

shook his head.

smirked. "Insane is

restaurant. Adrian stepped out first, offering his hand to help Claire. "Let's try not to let Cindy Marshall ruin our evening," he said, smiling

the other side

Alexander was stepping

but invigorated Las

Yet, even as he handed off his luggage to an

assistant had mentioned that Claire had returned to London not long after Adrian's headline

clenched his jaw.

of Adrian, not because

he muttered, his voice tinged with disappointment. He wouldn't to anyone, but he had

admit it

had something to do with the work he'd left her

climbed into his waiting car. He was tired, sure, but a small part of him was already plotting ways to see Claire again-ways that

beautiful," Claire said,

you," Adrian replied