New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 480 Locating Andre The faint glow of the laptop illuminated Matthew's face as he continued his search, his fingers flying across the keys. Claire leaned against the side of his bed, her mind racing with possibilities and

unanswered questions. The revelation of Andre's existence still gnawed at her, the bitterness in his eyes from the party haunting her thoughts.

After several minutes of fruitless searching, Matthew sighed and pushed the laptop aside. "I don't get it. There should be something on him. But it's like he's a ghost."

Claire nodded slowly, her fingers drumming against her thigh. "That's because someone doesn't want us to find him. Someone with enough influence and resources to erase digital footprints."

"Eligos," Matthew muttered, his jaw tightening.

She sighed, looking at him with a weary expression. "He's always three steps ahead, isn't he?"

Matthew squeezed her hand gently. "He might be ahead right now, but we've caught up before. We can do it again." He paused, his gaze searching her face. "How are you holding up, really?"

Claire's eyes softened. She knew Matthew well enough to understand he wasn't asking out of mere curiosity. He genuinely cared, and for a moment, she let her guard slip. "I feel like everything I know about my life is unraveling. First the scandal with Adrian, and now this half-brother I never knew existed." Matthew nodded. "It's a lot to process."

She exhaled sharply, trying to steady her thoughts. "It's not just about processing it. I need to act. I can't let Eligos keep pulling the strings."

"We won't," Matthew assured her. "We just need a new angle. If the digital trail is gone, maybe it's time for some old-fashioned detective work.

Claire arched a brow. "You're suggesting we hit the streets?"

Matthew smirked. "Why not? We've done it before."

A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "I suppose you're right. But first, you need more rest."

Matthew rolled his eyes. "I've rested enough. I'm ready to get back in the game."

She gave him a stern look. "Doctor's orders, Matthew."

"Fine, fine," he relented with a grin. "But at least let me help you strategize. We can't just stumble around blindly."

Claire nodded, her mind already spinning with ideas. "We need to figure out who Andre really is and where he's been all these years. If Eligos is using him, there has to be a point of contact, someone who brought Andre into Eligos's web."

seemed bitter. He's clearly been fed a story. If

considered this, her gaze distant. "He resents me. That much was obvious. He looked at me like

Matthew said. "If we

determination. "I can have my contacts in the city check financial records, public services,

the Claire I

tension easing from her shoulders. "Okay, let's do this. But for now, you really should get

Matthew chuckled. "You're relentless."

it," she shot back, rising

"Guilty as charged."

she turned to leave, he called out, "Hey,

the

what happens, you're not alone

"I know. And I'm grateful for

as she made a series of encrypted calls. Her

could dig up something on Andre they

If

to get back to her within a few hours. The waiting was always the hardest part, and the gnawing uncertainty was starting

QUMS

was about to take a break, her office door creaked open, and Sandra

gratefully. "You read

eyes flicked to Claire's face, concern

too," Claire admitted, taking a sip. The warmth of the coffee helped ease some of her tension. "I'm just dealing

in the chair across from Claire. "Is this about that guy

slightly. "You caught

I couldn't

but this was uncharted territory. "His

widened. "Wow.

he existed. And now, he shows up at the

forward. "Do you think

nodded slowly. "I think he is. But someone's been filling his head with lies. Someone who