New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 503 One Week As the sun dipped lower in the horizon, she found herself outside a high-end restaurant. Deciding she needed a distraction, she stepped inside and requested a table for one.

She ordered a steak and a glass of wine, hoping the meal would help ground her, but before she could even take a bite, a voice from behind sent a chill down her spine.

"How was last night's performance?"

Claire's fork froze mid-air.

The voice was low, smooth, and eerily amused. And though she hadn't turned around, she already knew who it belonged to.

Eligos.

The hunger she had moments ago vanished instantly.

She remained still, her mind racing. She could feel the presence behind her, but before she could turn around, the voice continued, lower this time.

"Don't move," he warned, a dark chuckle escaping him. "Unless, of course, you'd like me to take over Metacortex. Or maybe Cryptonic. That would be fun, wouldn't it?"

Claire's grip on her utensils tightened.

This wasn't just about the hotel disaster. He wanted something.

"Eligos," she said evenly, placing her knife and fork down. "What do you want?"

He hummed, as if pondering. "I want the truth."

Claire's brows furrowed. "Truth about what?"

Eligos let out a small, amused sigh. "Come now, Claire. Don't play dumb."

"I genuinely don't know what you're talking about."

There was a long silence before Eligos finally answered.

"Allan."

Claire's breath hitched slightly.

Eligos leaned in slightly, though they still weren't facing each other. "You have one week, Claire. One week to come to me and admit all your wrongdoings. Tell me the truth about Allan."

Claire turned sharply, but-

He was gone.

Her heart pounded as she looked around. No sign of him. No trace. Just the normal hum of restaurant patrons enjoying their evening.

she spotted something on the table where he

neatly folded piece of

With a name.

Allan Smith. One week.

against her knee. The encounter with Eligos still played in her mind, each word a lingering echo she couldn't

Allan Smith. One week.

wasn't unfamiliar. Years ago, she had already looked into Allan Smith, trying to untangle the truth behind his life and his supposed death. But with everything that had

so fixated on

the question that she

walked in. His sharp gaze lifted, briefly scanning her face. She looked the same as always poised, unreadable, and determined.

heading back already?" he

done. I

leaned back in his chair, considering her

information about

raised her brows at

debt, a big one then suddenly all of his

right? Don't worry, Andre told me

surprised, like he

need to finish my investigation

"Investigation?"

better." Claire nodded at him and

she didn't expect to see Matthew leaning

at the corner

relief evident in

eyebrow. "You sound

into in Vegas, I wasn't sure if you'd even

in one

Claire rolled her eyes.

Matthew was already giving her a once-over, checking for any

scanning her carefully. "No bruises? No mysterious

sighed. "I

crossed his arms, unconvinced. "Excuse me for wanting

It's just a matter of whether or not

chuckled, shaking his head. "And you always think you can handle everything on your own." Claire's expression turned serious. "I need to talk to you

he said, gesturing toward the

the vehicle, and Matthew started the

your help looking into Allan

The guy from the

And not just his name he wants the truth about him." Matthew's grip on the steering wheel tightened.