New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 446 Escape Plan

Claire squirmed in her seat, trying for the hundredth time to loosen the ropes that kept her tied to the uncomfortable metal chair. The dim lighting of the warehouse wasn't helping her mood, nor was the damp, musty smell that lingered in the air. She'd been there for who

knows how long, and her patience was running thinner than a sheet of paper.

"Great. Just great," she muttered to herself, kicking at the ground with the toe of her heels. "Why does my life have to be involved with kidnapping." She added sarcastically.

Her brain buzzed with thoughts as she tried to piece together what was happening. Eligos. It had to be him. Everything pointed to him-his obsession with control, his shadowy tactics. But why? Why now? Had she accidentally offended him? Or was this just one of his twisted games?

She sighed and leaned her head back against the chair. "I'm worn out, tired, stressed and my clothes is really not suitable for this occasion."

Just then, the sound of a door creaking open echoed through the warehouse. Claire's head snapped forward, her body stiffening. Heavy footsteps followed, each one slow and deliberate, the kind that screamed, I'm making an entrance. "Well, here we go," she muttered under her breath, straightening up.

The footsteps stopped just outside the faint light spilling into the middle of the room. Claire squinted, trying to make out the figure in the shadows, but the person stayed put.

"Good evening, Claire," a male voice said, smooth and almost annoyingly cheerful. It was the kind of tone you'd expect from someone who thought they were much smarter than they actually were.

"Evening? Don't you mean nightmare?" Claire shot back, her tone sharp. "Who the hell are you?"

The man chuckled, a low, amused sound that made Claire's skin crawl. "Oh, you will find out soon enough. But does it really matter? You should focus more on why you are here."

Claire glared into the darkness. "Yeah, well, I'd focus a lot better if you'd stop playing Phantom of the Opera and step into the light."

Another laugh, this one a little louder. Then, finally, the figure moved forward. As he stepped into the dim glow, Claire groaned. A mask. Of course, he was wearing a mask. "Seriously? What is this? Amateur hour? Or is it Halloween? I thought we are passed that." she snapped, eyeing the sleek black mask covering his face.

"Amateur?" The man tilted his head. "I think I deserve more credit than that. You are here, aren't you?"

"Only because someone shoved me in a car and dragged me here," Claire retorted. "That doesn't scream 'mastermind."""

The man ignored her jab, pacing slowly in front of her. "You know, you are a lot like your second-in-command. Stubborn. Mouthy. A bit too curious for your own good."

"Matthew? What does he have

him. Though I'd prefer not to use the same methods on you." Claire's stomach flipped, but she refused to show fear.

closer, his masked face inches

as far away as

casual. "Does

like a frantic secretary. "Allan Smith... Allan Smith..." She shook her head. "It sounds familiar,

teacher disappointed in a student. "Come now, Claire. Don't play coy.

no clue

"You're either a terrible liar, or your memory

clenched her jaw. "Look,

got a grudge

taking it up

Otherwise, I wouldn et

Oh, wait, you

you can't, because

not around

be would

12

nerve. The man stopped dead in his tracks, his body stiffening. "Careful, Claire," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "You don't want

sarcasm cranked up to full volume. "Let me guess: if I pass, I get a gold star and an early

So stubborn and loyal. I

turned to face her

hands clasped behind

couldn't see his

.n

was probably smirking. "Oh, he

the rating? Did

at him. "You're sick you know

you want to get your freedom, I