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.

the table where he

folded piece of

With a name.

Allan Smith. One week.

Claire sat in the backseat of the car, her fingers lightly tapping against her knee. The encounter with Eligos still played in her mind, each word a lingering echo she couldn't shake off. The piece of paper he left behind felt heavier than it should,

Allan Smith. One week.

looked into Allan Smith, trying to untangle the truth behind his life and his supposed death. But with everything that had happened Robert, Gretta, Lisa, Alex, Frank-her search had faded into

was he so fixated

question that she needs to find

briefly scanning her face. She looked the same as always poised, unreadable, and

he asked,

here is done. I have other things to

his chair, considering her

information

raised her brows at his

then suddenly all of his debts has been

worry, Andre

surprised, like he didn't

need to finish my investigation

"Investigation?"

know the better." Claire nodded at him

Heathrow Airport, she didn't expect to see Matthew

slight smile tugged at the corner of her

she approached, relief evident in his

an eyebrow. "You

you walked into in Vegas, I wasn't

in one

Claire rolled her eyes.

once-over, checking for any signs of injury. She slapped his hands away.

ignored her protests, still scanning her carefully. "No bruises? No mysterious injuries?

"I said I'm

his arms, unconvinced. "Excuse me for wanting to make sure you didn't get into

get into trouble. It's

can handle everything on your own." Claire's expression turned serious. "I need to talk to you

gesturing toward the car. "Let's

both slid into the vehicle, and Matthew started

need your help looking

"Allan Smith? The guy from the

nodded. "Eligos brought up his name. And not just his name he wants the truth about him." Matthew's grip on the steering