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

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

There was more.

name was information about

Spouse: Alice Smith.

Son: Aaron Smith.

zoomed in on the photograph. It was an old

stood up and moved behind her. "What is it?"

Instead, she scrolled

blood turned

bottom of the file, was another photograph. This time, it wasn't

Allan Smith

through the

her mind

Allan Smith, looking as if they

eyes narrowing as he examined the photo. "Hold

lips parted slightly, her mind

had never mentioned an Allan Smith before. Not once. And yet, here

"Alright... this just got a

found her voice. "Why

shook his head. "No idea. But if he never told you, then

darkened. "Or

pieces were starting to form

remember how Allan died?" Matthew suddenly

him. "Heart attack,

a look. "And do you remember how it was connected to the car crash three years ago?" Claire's breath caught

changed everything.

Her heart pounded.

lower now. "Claire... what if Robert was the one

felt the blood

room was suddenly

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

hit her like a

Peterson was a powerful man. A man with connections, influence, and a history of making people disappear when they

fists. She wanted to believe it wasn't true. But deep down, she had always known that Robert had

this might be the biggest one

"Shit, Claire.

I need to see

hesitated. "Claire, this is dangerous. If Robert

know," Claire interrupted, her voice

"Alright. But you're not going alone." Claire gave him a

tone left

don't know how far he's willing to

en