New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 484 Patience The afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the city as Claire left her office, her mind a storm of thoughts. The conversation with Alexander, the looming hotel opening in Las Vegas, the jewelry exhibition, and the ever-present threat of Eligos all swirled around her.

Each concern felt like a thread pulling her in different directions, and yet, Claire knew she couldn't afford to let any of them unravel.

As she made her way to her car, Claire's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Adrian. Adrian: "Hey, just checking in. How's your day going?"

Claire allowed herself a small smile. Adrian's texts were always a brief respite from the chaos. She quickly typed back.

Claire: "Busy, as usual. Work, work, and work. You?"

The response came almost immediately.

Adrian: "Same here. I got a load of paperwork to sign and read but I don't have the energy to do it. Anyway, I thought about grabbing dinner together tonight? If that's okay with you.'

Claire hesitated, her fingers hovering over the screen. The idea was tempting, a chance to unwind and escape the constant pressures, but she wasn't sure she could relax just yet. Still, the thought of seeing Adrian and spending time with him was more appealing than anything else she had planned. Claire: "That sounds perfect. Let's do it. I will see you soon."

She hit send and slid into the driver's seat, her mind briefly shifting to the pleasant thought of dinner with Adrian. But as she drove towards the hospital to check on Matthew, the weight of her responsibilities settled back onto her shoulders. There were still too many unanswered questions, too many loose ends.

At the hospital, Matthew was sitting up in bed, flipping through a magazine, though his eyes weren't really focused on the pages. When Claire entered, he looked up, his face lighting up with a smile.

"Claire, hey," he greeted, setting the magazine aside. "You look like you've had a day."

Claire chuckled softly, taking a seat next to his bed. "That's an understatement."

Matthew studied her for a moment. "Something on your mind? You look... tense."

arms. "I just got off the phone with Alexander.

"That's coming up soon,

Eligos is still out there, and I can't shake the feeling that he's planning something." Matthew

not exactly forthcoming with information, and every time I think I'm getting somewhere, it feels

have to handle all of this alone. You've got me, Adrian,

eyes. "I will never ask Alexander for his help unless...wait, I take that back. I will never ask for his help

sometimes it feels like

don't forget that even the strongest

squeezing his hand. "Thanks, Matthew. I'll keep

moment before Claire's phone buzzed again. She glanced at it, seeing another message from Adrian, this time suggesting a restaurant for

and grinned. "Dinner

one

"You need something

leave. "I'll check in with you tomorrow. Get some

her go. "You

drive to the restaurant Adrian had suggested wasn't long, and Claire allowed herself a few moments of peace as

was already waiting outside, his smile warm and inviting as he spotted her. He opened the door for her, and

Adrian said, taking her hand across the table. "You seemed like

"You have no idea. Thank you

Claire shook her head. "Not right now. Let's just enjoy

the outside world momentarily forgotten. Claire found herself relaxing more

time they left the restaurant, the night air was cool, and Claire felt lighter. Adrian walked her to her

tonight," Claire said, her