New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 472 Hosting the Christmas Party

Claire sat at her desk, fingers tapping restlessly against the polished wood. The soft hum of her office seemed unusually loud as she stared blankly at her phone. Her mind was still reeling from the conversation she'd just had with Mr. Saint Laurent.

"A

Christmas party, Claire. It's time."

His voice, full of warmth and gentle authority, echoed in her mind. He'd always spoken to her like she was a part of the family, which made the call all the more difficult to process.

"But why me?" she had asked, trying to keep the disbelief out of her tone.

"Because it's been three years, dear," he had replied kindly. "You disappeared for too long. It's time for the world - for your peers to know that Claire Peterson is back. Hosting this party will show everyone that you are still a force to be reckoned with."

She leaned back in her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose. The weight of his words pressed on her shoulders, and no matter how many times she tried to reject the idea, he had countered with an unshakeable faith in her.

Earlier That Morning

The phone call had come just as she was reviewing some reports. Sandra had barely announced it before she picked up, curiosity piqued. Mr. Saint Laurent didn't often call her directly.

"Good morning, Claire," his voice had rumbled warmly.

"Good morning, Mr. Saint Laurent," she greeted politely, though she felt a twinge of apprehension.

"I'm sorry for interrupting your morning but I won't take your time for too long. So, the reason why I called you is that I want you to host this year's Christmas party," he said, his tone gentle but resolute.

The air seemed to thin around her. She blinked, certain she had misheard. "I'm sorry, did you say me hosting the party?"

"Yes," he affirmed. "It's been too long since you've hosted anything. You've been back for months, and yet the world still doesn't know that Claire Peterson has returned. I think it's time to change that."

"Mr. Saint Laurent, I appreciate the sentiment, but I can't." She sighed, her fingers tightening around the edge of her desk. "I'm swamped with work. There's too much going on right now, and-"

"I know you can do it," he interrupted gently. "You've always managed to balance the impossible. This is important, Claire. You need to remind everyone of who you are. And more importantly, you need to remind yourself."

"Isn't my appearance is not enough?" Claire asks, slightly frowning.

people look down on you just because you are a woman. That isn't what it's supposed to be. They need to respect you

for this. Not with Matthew in a coma, his absence gnawing at the edges of her mind. "I don't know if I can, Mr. Saint Laurent. Matthew always handled these things with

you to do this," he said, his voice firm. "I know it's hard, but you're not alone. We'll all be here to support you. You've never needed anyone to stand in front

tone made her heart ache. She struggled to keep her voice steady. "I'll

is an opportunity to show the world that Claire

Claire had sat in stunned silence, the weight of

hadn't moved from her seat. The memory of Matthew was a persistent ghost. They had planned so many of these events together, his insight

buzzed, breaking her from her thoughts.

said, trying

found out what my grandfather asked you to do. Claire, I'm so sorry. He shouldn't have

okay,

know he did," Adrian said gently, "but you shouldn't have to do

back

"It's not that

to. It's just... Matthew

e. It

these things with

wrong to do it

line. "I understand," Adrian said finally.

shook her head, though he couldn't see it. "You're busy

but gentle. "You don't have to handle everything alone. I want to help. Let me be

a mix of frustration and gratitude welling up inside her. "Adrian,

just about the party. It's about

strong

time."

en

at the barriers she kept so carefully

misting slightly. "You're relentless, you

been told," he replied with a chuckle. "So,

small smile crept onto her

relief evident in his voice. "We'll make this the

laughed softly. "Let's not get ahead