New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 468 Another Weird Dream

The room was a swirling haze of shadows and whispers, the air thick with tension. Claire stood in the center, her once-powerful stance shrinking under the weight of unseen eyes. The laughter started as a low rumble, growing louder, sharper, like shards of glass piercing her confidence.

Her gaze darted around frantically, trying to locate the source of the laughter. Shapes blurred into a faceless crowd, their silhouettes looming taller, more menacing.

Why do I feel so small?

She wondered, panic clawing at her chest. She was Claire Peterson-she didn't crumble, she didn't break. But right now, she felt like a fragile porcelain doll, teetering on the edge of shattering.

A voice, mocking and cold, rose above the laughter. "Look at her. Not so fearless now, are you?"

More laughter, harsher this time. Claire's heart pounded against her ribs. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Her legs felt weak like they might give way beneath her. She clenched her fists, trying to summon the steel resolve she was known for, but her fingers trembled.

Then, from the crowd, a figure began to move. Slowly, deliberately. The sea of faceless shadows parted, and the figure stepped forward. Claire's breath caught in her throat. She knew who it was before she could even see his face.

Eligos.

His tall frame exuded an air of cold authority, his dark clothes blending seamlessly with the shadows. His face, as always, was obscured by a mask. Claire had never seen the man behind it, had never seen his eyes, and yet she felt his gaze bore into her soul.

He stopped in front of her, his presence suffocating.

"Expect the unexpected," he whispered, his voice dripping with malicious amusement.

The words sliced through her, chilling her to the bone. She wanted to move, to scream, to fight back, but her feet were rooted to the ground. She was trapped, helpless, vulnerable a feeling she despised. The laughter rose to a deafening roar.

Then she jolted awake.

Her eyes snapped open, the darkness of her bedroom a stark contrast to the chaos of her nightmare. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat like a drum echoing through her ribcage. She gasped for air, her breaths shallow and ragged. She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, her fingers trembling. Eligos.

her. She clenched her jaw, teeth grinding together. He was planning something. She didn't know what, but she knew

over the side of the bed, her feet touching the cold floor. She buried her face in her hands and took deep breaths, willing herself to calm down. The dream was a warning, a psychological attack from the man who thrived on manipulation. She wasn't about to let

sun was a pale glow against the steel-gray sky as Claire entered her office building. She moved with purpose, her heels clicking against the marble floor of the Metacortex lobby. Her

her at the door with her usual bright smile. "Good morning,

tight nod. She stepped into her office, her eyes already scanning

caught her attention

A basket.

ribbon. The contents were a variety of food- delicately arranged fruits, gourmet cheeses, and pastries. Claire's brows knitted together. She approached cautiously, her eyes narrowing as

Who sent this?

at the corner of her lips, but it vanished when she realized there was

ready for something that's

dropped. She

paper trembling slightly

to maintain cracked, and anger flared in her chest, burning away the last of her

Eligos.

crumpled the note in her fist, her knuckles going white. Her jaw clenched so hard it ached. The audacity of it. He was playing games again,

deep breath, her eyes blazing with fury. If this is the game you want to play, Eligos, then

phone buzzed on her desk, snapping her out of her thoughts. She

Hey, are you okay? Haven't heard from you since

exhaled sharply, her anger softening slightly.

I'm fine. Just

dots popped up

You want me to come over? We can yell at

ghosted over Claire's

I've got it handled. I'll call

leaned back in her chair, her eyes drifting back to the basket. She would not let Eligos rattle her. She had too much to lose, too many people depending on her. Matthew needed her strength. Metacortex