New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 447 Discovering Cryptonic

Matthew was just finishing his shower, steam curling around the bathroom like lazy ghosts, when his phone buzzed on the counter. With a towel slung over his shoulders, he squinted at the screen. The driver.

He frowned. Calls at odd hours were rarely good news. "What's up?" he answered, his voice casual as he started drying his hair.

The moment the driver's panicked voice came down the line, Matthew froze, the towel slipping from his hands.

"Mr. Matthew-it's-Ms. Peterson! She's-she's gone!"

Matthew's brows snapped together. "What do you mean, gone?" he demanded, his tone sharp enough to cut glass.

The driver sputtered. "I was on my way to the Saint Laurent mansion. Someone knocked on the window-I thought they needed help. I rolled it down, and the next thing I knew, I was being dragged out and hit with... chloroform, I think? I woke up in the bushes, but Ms. Peterson-she must have thought I was the one who pick her up."

Matthew clenched his jaw as he absorbed the information. "Did you see who did it? Anything-height, build, hair color?"

"No, sir. It all happened so fast. I'm so sorry."

Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting to keep calm. "You did what you could. Stay put. I'll handle this."

The call ended, and Matthew stood still for a moment, his mind racing. Claire. Kidnapped. This wasn't just a bad night-it was an awful night.

Grabbing his phone, he called Adrian.

The phone rang a few times before Adrian picked up, his voice casual and cheerful, laughter from the party echoing in the background. "Matthew, what's up?"

"Claire's gone," Matthew said, straight to the point.

The laughter on the other end vanished in an instant. "What do you mean, gone?" Adrian's voice dropped, laced with panic.

"She's been kidnapped," Matthew said grimly. "Driver got ambushed, knocked out with chloroform. By the time he woke up, his car gone and Claire thought her driver was the one who pick her up."

There was a beat of stunned silence before Adrian cursed under his breath. "Where is he now? Have you called the police?"

"We don't know who's behind this, and I don't trust them not to make things worse. We're handling this

quietly? Claire's been kidnapped, Matthew!" Adrian snapped. "I'm coming to

Matthew said, his tone brooking no

Adrian's voice shot up. "You expect me to sip champagne and pretend everything's fine while Claire's out there-God knows

it's going to raise eyebrows," Matthew argued. "You disappearing will make this mess even bigger. I'll send you a location. Meet me there if you're coming but keep it discreet. No entourage." Adrian was silent for a moment, likely battling the urge to shout. "Fine. But if you think I'm sitting this out, you don't know me

be careful. And Adrian? If you're bringing anyone, make sure they can

""Got it."

A wild goose chases on top of everything else. "Adrian?" His mother's voice pulled him back to reality. He turned to find her standing nearby, a questioning look on

an excuse. "Work," he lied smoothly. "Something urgent came up.

mother didn't look convinced.

smile, kissing her cheek. "I'll be back before you know

turned to

been lingering near the bar, caught sight of Adrian's hurried departure. His sharp eyes narrowed. Adrian wasn't one to leave his own

оп

drink thoughtfully. Whatever it

up to an unmarked building that looked more like a tech startup than a "hideout." Adrian stepped out,

about this, sir?" the driver asked,

squared his shoulders, his curiosity

text buzzed on his phone: "Head

into the building where a man with glasses and a no-nonsense expression

this place?" he

Adrian Saint Laurent," Billy said, offering a

eyes darting around the minimalist interior. It was high-tech and sleek, yet oddly sterile.

didn't slow his stride. "Ms.

Adrian blinked. "Her what?"

leading Adrian into an elevator. They rode in silence until the doors dinged open to reveal a spacious, high-tech

knocked on a door before stepping inside. "He is here," he

from his desk, motioning for Adrian to