New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 467 Being Vulnerable

Claire's heels clicked against the marble floor as she navigated through the sea of chatter and clinking glasses. She was determined to keep her cool after her verbal sparring match with Frank Potter, but the tension still buzzed under her skin like an electric current. The champagne flute in her hand felt heavy, though she hadn't taken a single sip. She glanced at the golden liquid and sighed.

Why did I even come?

The thought was barely complete when she turned a corner and froze. There he was-Alexander.

He stood near the buffet table, effortlessly elegant in his tailored charcoal suit, a glass of champagne balanced in his hand. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his piercing gaze surveying the room until it landed on her. The air shifted.

Why is it always him?

It seems impossible to imagine for Claire to not see Alexander in a big event. It's like the universe wanted them to be together. But it's not like Claire can do anything about it.

Claire frowned, her jaw tightening. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. It was like fate had a cruel sense of humor. Their eyes met, and Alexander's lips curled into a polite, almost cautious smile. He gave a subtle nod, lifting his glass.

"Claire." His voice was smooth, but there was a hint of something deeper-something she couldn't quite place.

"Alexander," she replied, her tone clipped but civil. She didn't want to make a scene. Not here.

"You look..." He paused, eyes scanning her carefully. "Beautiful, as always."

Claire rolled her eyes. "Spare me the pleasantries. I'm not in the mood."

He let out a short sigh, his gaze softening. "I heard about Matthew."

Her body stiffened, the words slicing through her like a blade. Of course he knows. Her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass, but her face remained unreadable. "News travels fast, apparently." Alexander took a step closer, his expression gentle but earnest. "How is he?"

She swallowed hard, the knot in her throat tightening. "He's in a coma." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

His eyes widened, the surprise and concern clear on his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but for once, Alexander Saint Laurent seemed to be at a loss for words.

"I didn't know it was that serious," he finally said, his voice low. "I'm sorry, Claire."

caught her off guard, and for a

somewhere over his shoulder. "Yeah, well... it

uncomfortable. She could feel her composure slipping, the weight of everything suddenly too much to

need some air," she muttered, not waiting for his response. She turned abruptly and headed

a coma and she is alone, she feels

it did little to calm her racing mind. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, and she leaned against the stone wall

Pull it together, Claire.

tried to steady herself, but the storm inside her refused to settle. It felt like everything was spiraling

Eligos breathing down her neck. Frank's taunts. Alexander

pushed off the wall, suddenly needing to escape. The quiet streets stretched before her, dark and inviting. Without a second thought, she crossed the road, her heels clicking against the pavement as she focused on putting distance between

honk barely registered

the second one, loud and blaring, jolted

turned to

2 minu

seemed to slow, and a single thought

breath out of her She stumbled, colliding with a solid chest Her heart pounded wildly as she looked up, her face mere

his dark eyes

the hell were you thinking?" he snapped, his fingers still wrapped around

yanked her arm out of his grip, her own anger flaring. "I was thinking I wanted to leave,

hair, his frustration evident. "Claire,

me!" she

and something

her breathing ragged. "Why do you even

you like it or not,

said, his voice sharp. "You think

self-destruct? You're running

the

ovel