New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 502 The Truth Andre, who had been lounging on the edge of the bed, stiffened at her words. His usual easygoing smirk faltered for a second before he forced it back into place. "Claire, I don't know what you're talking about." "Don't," Claire warned, her voice laced with quiet fury. Her gaze was sharp, piercing through him like a blade. "I know Eligos sent you. I know you're working for him, trying to make my life a mess." Andre's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. He was usually good at talking his way out of situations, spinning lies and half-truths until the other person didn't know what to believe anymore. But Claire wasn't just anyone she was relentless, and she had already put the pieces together.

She took a step closer, eyes burning with accusation. "Why did you agree to his offer, Andre?" she demanded, her voice low but filled with venom. "Was it money? Power? Or was it something worse?" Andre parted his lips, about to spew another excuse-until Claire's hand flew across his face. The sharp sound of the slap echoed in the small room.

Andre's head snapped to the side, his cheek stinging from the impact.

"That's enough," Claire seethed, shaking her hand as if trying to rid herself of the disgust she felt. "I've had enough of your bullshit. I want the truth. Now."

Andre remained silent for a moment, his hand pressing against his cheek. A bitter chuckle left his lips as he exhaled through his nose. "Damn, Claire," he muttered, shaking his head. "You don't hold back, do you?"

She folded her arms. "I don't have time for games."

Andre sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, finally giving in. "Fine," he muttered. "Take a seat." Claire narrowed her eyes at him. "I'd rather stand."

"I'm serious this time."

Something about his tone made Claire pause.

For the first time since she barged in, Andre wasn't trying to be charming or deceptive. He wasn't giving her his usual smug attitude or avoiding the question. Instead, he looked... resigned.

Claire exhaled slowly before taking a seat on the couch, keeping a noticeable distance between them. Andre sat in the armchair across from her, his expression unusually somber.

"It all started when Eligos found me in Italy," he began. His voice lacked its usual playfulness. "I was working at a bar, barely making ends meet. I had debts piling up, and my mother-" He hesitated, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. "She was sick. Really sick."

Claire's expression remained unreadable as she listened.

"I wanted nothing to do with Eligos," Andre continued. "I knew his reputation. But then he mentioned something that caught my interest.

Claire stiffened. She already knew what was coming.

"He told me I had a rich half-sibling."

Her fingers curled slightly, but she didn't interrupt.

"Eligos told me that my father-the man I never knew-was also your father," Andre admitted. "Claire, you and I... we're half-siblings."

Silence filled the room.

unreadable, but inside, she felt something

father. Her father. The man she had grown up idolizing,

world. The man who had

another family. Another woman.

of perfect families, but this? This was different. It wasn't just an

kept her voice steady. "And you believed

I thought he was lying, but he had proof. He showed me documents, old photos, records. He even told me what happened how your father's wife found out and ended everything." Claire felt her throat

Mom knew.

truth

It hurt. It burned.

her, his voice softer now. "If you don't believe me, I'll take a DNA test. Hell, I'll even call my mother and

a slow breath before shaking her head. "I believe

slightly surprised by her quick

throat. "Yes." Her

believed him so easily. Maybe because deep down, she already knew. Maybe because she was too exhausted to fight

anything to help my mother, and he promised

be cleared, and my mother's medical bills would be taken care of."

silent,

how it all started," Andre admitted. "Including

she leaned forward slightly, her voice sharper now,

en

head. "No. That

Claire's eyes narrowed.

looking guilty. "But I couldn't do it outright. If Eligos found

long moment before speaking. "Then why didn't you come to

Eligos told

Claire inhaled sharply.

bet

if I came to you with

her

let's be honest, Claire. He wasn't wrong, was

a thin

Because he was right.

tone. "None of that excuses what you