New beginning: Billionaire love story

Matthew grabbed his coffee from the counter, glancing at Claire as she took hers. "So... Alexander went to the office?" he asked, casually sipping his drink. Claire nodded, blowing on her coffee to cool it down. "Yup. And it was... unexpected, to say the least."

As they headed out of the coffee shop and into the cool morning air, Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Unexpected how?"

Claire shook her head, the memory still baffling her. "I didn't expect him to be waiting in the lobby. I mean, who just shows up like that?"

Matthew pushed open the door, holding it for Claire as they made their way outside. "That's weird. Why was he at Metacortex anyway?" Claire stopped just before getting into the car, turning to face Matthew with a raised eyebrow. "Remember when I took that day off?" Matthew paused mid-sip, nodding. "Yeah, I remember. Why?"

Claire opened the car door, gesturing for him to do the same. "A lot happened that day. Like, Lisa didn't end up going to jail... and, oh yeah, Alexander punched Adrian in the face."

Matthew's eyes widened, and for a moment, he just stared at her in disbelief. "Wait-hold on. Did you just say Alexander punched Adrian? In the face?"

Claire slid into the passenger seat, laughing a little at his reaction. "Yes, Matthew. You heard me right."

Matthew, still stunned, got into the driver's seat and blinked at her. "What?! How did that even happen? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Claire shrugged as she adjusted her seatbelt. "Well, for one, it's not exactly something I wanted to broadcast. And it happened a few days ago."

Matthew shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around it as he started the car. "Okay, so you've got to tell me the whole story. I can't believe I missed this!"

"Alright," Claire said, rolling her eyes playfully. "Adrian and I were going to this restaurant for dinner, right? Everything was fine. Then, out of nowhere, Alexander shows up. And he's drunk. Totally out of it. He walks up to our table like it's no big deal." Matthew whistled in disbelief. "At the restaurant? What was he thinking?"

Claire scoffed, sipping her coffee. "That's the thing, Matthew. I have no idea what he was thinking. The entire restaurant was staring at us, and you know how much I hate that kind of attention. So, I was already pissed off. Adrian tried to calm Alexander down-he got in between us and that's when it happened."

Matthew glanced at her as they drove out of the parking lot. "Wait, what happened?"

Claire sighed, shaking her head at the memory. "Next thing I know, Alexander punches Adrian. Right in the face. And I was just... stunned. Like, what the hell, right?"

"Whoa," Matthew said, eyes wide. "What did you do?"

Claire laughed, though there wasn't much humor in it. "I yelled at Alexander, obviously. And then he has the nerve to apologize to me. Like, hello? You punched Adrian! You should be apologizing to him."

Matthew let out a low whistle, still trying to process it all. "That's... honestly insane. What a weird incident."

Claire sipped her coffee, responding with a sarcastic tone. "Tell me about it."

They drove in silence for a few moments, the hum of the car filling the space as Matthew shook his head, still in disbelief. Finally, he broke the silence. "We should probably get back to work before any more drama unfolds."

Claire nodded, though the thought of work seemed almost trivial after the chaos of the past few days. "Yeah, you're right. But unfortunately, drama seems to love me and it follows everywhere I go."

As they cruised down the road, Claire's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and sighed. "It's David, my lawyer."

Matthew gave her a side-eye. "This should be good. Want me to pull over?"

Claire shook her head. "No, I'll take it."noveldrama

She answered the call. "Hello, David."

"Hello, Ms. Peterson," David greeted her, his tone professional as always. "I wanted to update you about Lisa."

At the mention of Lisa's name, Claire's grip on the phone tightened slightly. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool. "What about Lisa? What's going on?"

David hesitated for a second before continuing. "She's been moved to the psychiatric ward."

Claire blinked, not sure how to feel. Relief? Frustration? A mix of both? She took a long breath, steadying herself. "I see."

David, sensing her tension, softened his tone. "You can visit her if you want. Just let me know, and I'll arrange everything."

Claire's eyes flicked to the passing scenery outside the window, her mind swirling with the complicated emotions that Lisa always seemed to bring up. "Thanks, David. I'll let you know." "Take care, Ms. Peterson," David said, his voice warm before he ended the call.

Claire lowered her phone, staring at the screen for a moment before placing it in her lap.

Matthew glanced at her, eyebrows raised in concern. "Everything okay?"

Claire let out a long sigh. "Yeah. I guess. David just told me Lisa's in a psychiatric ward now."

Matthew gave her a sideways glance. "Wow. You gonna visit her?"

Claire shrugged, leaning her head back against the seat. "I don't know. I'm not sure what I would even say if I did."

Matthew tapped the steering wheel, thinking for a moment. "It's tough. But maybe it's worth going, just to see where she's at."

"I-I don't know Matthew. I'm too

frustrated, toq sad, too disappointed

to even forma word. Like I can't even think clearly. Lisa...she managed to get away again and of my hard work to collect that evidence just... it doesn't matter anymore." she paused as she looked testhe window. "Those late-night work, investigating, collecting evidence when Lisa tried to kill me countless times? It's gone. It doesn't mean anything."

Matthew glances at Claire and he can see the frustrated look on her face mixed with anger. "I'm really sorry that happened to you, Claire understand how you feel. Why not visit her and ask her what's behind her motive? The reason why she did alhof this? I mean you just don't lose your brain in one night, can't you?"

"Well, yeah. I know what you mean but even asking for another trial, the judge denied it." Claire pauses as if she is thinking. "Unless..." "Unless what?"

"Unless I can prove that Lisa is just acting," Claire stated as she turned to Matthew.

Matthew frowned. He glances at

Claire and then back at the road. "Okay, let's just say, you want to prove that this whole thing with Lisa

is just an act of hers. But how will

stan

you do that? Is it not like you are

going to put yourself inside the ward?"

Claire thought for a moment. "Hmm...maybe I will."

Matthew hit the break and then turned to Claire, and she threw him a glare. "Matthew."

"You're going inside the ward? As in being a patient there?" the car behind them starts honking and Claire rolls her eyes.

"Drive Matthew and no I am not. I may be crazy, but I am not that crazy. I have other plans in mind."