New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 475 Going Through with The Plan

The music swirled through the grand hall, and the gentle hum of conversation filled the space. The glow of the chandeliers reflected off the champagne flutes and the gilded décor. Claire stood near a cluster of elegantly dressed guests, her smile practiced, her laughter melodic, but her mind remained alert.

Her instincts rarely betrayed her, and tonight, they whispered warnings she couldn't ignore.

As she laughed politely at one guest's quip, her eyes caught a figure moving purposefully toward her. The man's demeanor was confident - too confident - and a strange energy clung to him. Her brow furrowed slightly as she studied his approach. The way he moved, the intensity of his gaze locked onto her, sent a chill down her spine.

The man stopped just a few feet away and tilted his head, a cocky smirk curling his lips. He held a champagne glass loosely in his hand, his knuckles white despite his façade of ease.

"So, you really are Claire Peterson," he drawled, his tone dripping with something bitter. "The infamous Claire Peterson, heir to wealth beyond imagination." His eyes scanned her slowly, lingering on her gown, the diamonds sparkling at her neck, and the effortless grace with which she held herself. A flicker of envy crossed his face before he masked it.

Claire's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. "Yes, I'm Claire Peterson," she said, her voice cool and measured. "And you are?"

Andre chuckled darkly, a sound that felt misplaced in the warm, festive atmosphere. He took a deliberate sip of champagne, his eyes never leaving hers. "It's about time we met... sis."

A ripple of confusion passed through the nearby guests, who exchanged glances and murmured in hushed voices. The word sis hung in the air like a knife.

Claire's expression froze, her mind whirling as she processed his words. The clinking of glasses and soft laughter faded into a distant hum.

She took a steadying breath and forced herself to remain calm. "Excuse me for a moment," she said to her guests, her smile tight as she slipped away from the group, guiding Andre toward a quieter corner. Once they were out of earshot, she turned to him, her eyes sharp. "Who are you, and what kind of game are you playing?"

Andre's jaw tightened, the fake confidence slipping for a second before he reassembled it. "Come on, Claire. You seriously don't recognize me? Look closely."

of his brow- and a faint flicker of recognition stirred, but it remained elusive. Frustration crept in. "I don't know who you are," she said firmly. "And if this is some kind of joke

was bitter. "A joke? That's rich, coming from someone who's lived a life

with all this bullshit. Just tell me who

corners of his mouth twitching upward in a mockery of a smile. "So, it's true. You really have no idea who I am." He let out a short, humorless laugh. "Guess

and venomous. "I'm your half-brother, Claire. The brother you never knew

her balance faltering. Brother? Her mind scrambled to make sense of the revelation, but it was like trying to hold onto

disbelief. "You must be mistaken." Andre's jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with hurt. "No mistake. I wish it were that simple." He

throat. The words hit her like a punch

heard me." His

resentment. "While you were

mother and I

getting by. If I'd known

were sooner,

V

struggled. Maybe my mother would've gotten the treatment

"I... I didn't know." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I didn't know about you,

into a cynical smile. "Convenient. My name's Andre. That's all

think would've

"If what you're saying is true, I had no idea. 1-" She paused, trying to gather her thoughts, to steady the whirlwind of confusion and

felt Adrian's presence beside her. His hand found the small of her back, grounding her. His gaze was

here?" Adrian's voice was calm but carried a quiet