New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 501 Confronting Andre Claire groaned as the loud beeping of her alarm filled the hotel suite.

Slamming her hand on the bedside table, she silenced it, then pulled the pillow over her head.

Last night had been exhausting. She hadn't been able to sleep until nearly 4 AM, and now, with barely four hours of rest, her body felt like it was shutting down.

But there was no time to sleep in.

Grumbling, she dragged herself out of bed, shuffled into the bathroom, and freshened up before heading to the living room to order breakfast.

Her fingers scrolled through the room service menu, but her mind wasn't even processing what she was looking at. Abandoning the menu for a moment, she grabbed the TV remote and turned it on, letting it play in the background as she continued deciding what to eat.

That was, until-

"Breaking news on Quantum Haven's disastrous opening night!"

Claire's head snapped toward the screen.

The footage of the accident played again, and she sighed heavily.

Of course, the media was eating this up.

Alexander appeared on the screen next, giving a short, clipped statement to reporters.

"Last night was an unfortunate accident, but I assure you, Quantum Haven remains fully operational and safe. We are investigating the cause of the incident, and all affected guests will be compensated accordingly."

Claire raised an eyebrow.

"Damage control at its finest," she muttered, rubbing her temple. She had told Alexander to act fast, but

she hadn't expected him to have a PR statement ready this quickly.

Still, she couldn't focus on that right now. There were only two people responsible for this mess-one was the idiot who executed the plan, and the other was the mastermind.

She cursed under her breath.

"Eligos, you bastard."

Before she could stew in her thoughts any longer, her phone buzzed loudly from the bedroom.

She got up to check, sighing as she saw Matthew's name flashing on the screen.

She had a feeling she knew what this was about.

She answered, bracing herself.

"Matthew―"

"Why did you lie to me?"

Matthew's voice was cold.

Claire pinched the bridge of her nose. She really didn't want to deal with this first thing in the morning.

replied evenly. "I just

You almost got crushed, and you told me you were fine.

I had told you the truth, you would've immediately

Claire said. "And I

a

to make sure you're safe," he said, his voice quieter

you, I'd-" He

softened slightly but kept her

I do. But you also

grumbled something

"What matters is that I'm fine, okay? And right now, I need to

heavily. "I figured you'd

was some clicking on his end before a message notification popped up on Claire's phone. "That's the address," Matthew said. "If you just

that... Do you think I'm going to

will. I've known you long enough, Claire. You don't just

slightly. "Well, you're

I'm telling you to be careful," Matthew warned. "If you walk into whatever mess Andre

do," Claire

sighed. "Yeah, and somehow, you always end

"That's just life, isn't

laugh. Instead, he lowered

promise me you won't do

responding, "I'll handle it. Trust

he knew Claire too well. If she had made up her

anything

Claire smiled slightly. "Noted."

she ended the call and looked at the address on her phone, her mind was already

the key to

Claire wasn't going to waste

mirror, adjusting the cuff of her blazer as she mentally ran through everything she planned to say to Andre. She wasn't going to let him get away with this-she

an end to it before things spiraled further out of control. Matthew had warned her

landed on the cryptic text message

watched.

ran down her spine

how had they known what

Then her phone vibrated.

her eyes narrowed at the name

Adrian Saint Laurent.

course, he was

have expected this. There was a high

the case, he was definitely going

greeted, her voice

was filled with concern the moment he spoke. "Are you

"I'm fine, Adrian."

tell

I am fine. I didn't see the need to. It was a mess, yes, but the

Claire. That