New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 504 The Mystery of Allan Smith Claire's brow furrowed as she stared at the empty search results. She had hacked into databases that were supposed to be impenetrable, infiltrated classified government records, and even accessed deep underground networks. Yet, no matter where she looked, Allan Smith was a ghost.

Even with her expertise as The Raven, even with the full power of Metacortex's systems at her disposal- there was nothing.

Matthew let out a low whistle from across the room, shaking his head. "I hate to say this, but this

is impossible. There's nothing on this guy."

Claire exhaled sharply, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "That doesn't make sense," she muttered. "No one is this invisible. If he was some government official, or a private citizen, there should

be something—a birth certificate, financial records, medical history, anything."

Matthew leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "You think someone erased him on purpose?" Claire drummed her fingers against the desk, deep in thought. "If they did... then the real question is why? Is his family important? Are they dangerous? And more importantly... who the hell has the power to wipe him off the face of the earth?"

The silence stretched between them, thick with tension.

Matthew sighed. "We might be wasting our time. If there's nothing, then maybe we should just let it go." Claire shot him a sharp look. "I don't let things go, Matthew."

He huffed out a short laugh. "Yeah, I know."

She turned back to the screen, her mind working in overdrive. This wasn't just a dead end. This was

a deliberate erasure. Someone had gone to extreme lengths to bury Allan Smith's existence. And if they were this thorough, that meant one thing-

There was something they didn't want her to find.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard for a brief moment before she made her decision. If she couldn't find anything in the usual places, she would have to take a risk.

Claire accessed a highly classified government archive, a place where only the most sensitive information was stored. This wasn't just hacking-this was dangerous. But at this point, she didn't care.

Seconds passed. Then minutes.

And then-

She found something.

Claire's breath hitched as a file appeared on her screen. It was old, buried deep within confidential records, as if someone had hidden it away and hoped no one would ever come looking.

Matthew noticed the shift in her expression. "Did you find something?"

Claire didn't answer immediately. Her fingers moved quickly as she clicked on the file, her heart pounding in anticipation. As the document loaded, her eyes scanned the first few lines.

Allan Smith. Age: 45. Deceased.

A chill ran down her spine.

Her grip on the mouse tightened as she scrolled further. A black-and-white photograph accompanied the

in his mid-forties with sharp eyes and a composed expression.

There was more.

name was information

Spouse: Alice Smith.

Son: Aaron Smith.

the photograph. It was an old image-probably taken

stood up and moved behind her. "What

didn't answer. Instead, she

blood turned to

at the bottom of the file, was another photograph. This

Smith and Robert

cut through the

frozen, her

father. Standing beside Allan Smith, looking as if they

He leaned closer, his eyes narrowing as he examined the

parted slightly,

never mentioned an Allan Smith before. Not once. And yet, here they were-standing

let out a slow breath. "Alright...

finally found her voice. "Why didn't he

"No idea. But if he never told you, then he must've had

darkened. "Or he was hiding

pieces were starting to form

you remember how Allan died?" Matthew

turned to him.

it was connected to the car crash three years ago?" Claire's breath caught in her

ago. The accident that changed everything. The crash that killed

Her heart pounded.

Robert was the one who asked Allan to crash the car

blood drain from her

room was

if," Matthew pressed on, his tone deadly serious, "Allan did something to upset Robert... and

hit her

with connections, influence, and

hands clenched into fists. She wanted to believe it wasn't true. But deep down,

might be the biggest one

"Shit,

I need

"Claire, this is dangerous.

know," Claire interrupted, her voice

studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Alright. But you're not going alone." Claire gave him a

His tone left no

how far he's willing to go. If you're going to confront him, you need

en