New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 207

Lisa’s wrist throbbed slightly from where the security guard had held it, but she shook it off, glaring up at Claire.

Claire turned to the security guard, her voice cool and authoritative. “I’ll handle this myself,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The guard hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding obediently. After all, who was going to argue with the boss? He backed off, and Claire turned to Lisa, giving her a once-over that made Lisa feel like a piece of lint on an otherwise spotless suit. “Follow me,” Claire instructed.

Lisa wanted to retort, maybe throw out a snarky comment, but something about Claire’s coldness made her hesitate. Instead, she just frowned and trailed behind, her emotions a mix of anger and embarrassment.

How had things gotten so twisted between them?

Lisa couldn't help but notice the curious glances from the employees. They tried to be discreet, but everyone was clearly wondering what the commotion was about. Claire caught their looks and, with a sharp lift of her brows, said loudly, “Nothing to see here. Get back to work.”

The employees snapped back to attention, hastily turning away as if the very sight of Claire would get them into trouble. Lisa couldn’t help but feel a little more embarrassed; Claire was just so… authoritative.

It was like she had a magic power over everyone here. The two women reached the elevator, and Claire pressed the button for her floor. The doors closed with a soft hum, and suddenly, the silence in the small space was deafening.

Lisa shifted uncomfortably, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. For the first time in a long while, she felt small. Claire had never made her feel this way before, but now, standing beside her in this confined space, she felt like she was shrinking. Back in the day, Lisa was the one who felt superior, who could command the room with just a look. But now… Claire had the upper hand, and it was like she knew it too.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open, revealing the sleek, polished floor of the executive level. Claire stepped out, her heels clicking confidently on the tile, and Lisa followed, trying to regain some of her composure. As they walked past the desks, Sandra, Claire’s efficient assistant, stood up from her chair.

“The team is ready for the meeting, Ms. Peterson," Sandra informed her, her eyes flicking briefly to Lisa, clearly curious about the hoodie-wearing woman trailing behind Claire.

“Proceed without me,” Claire responded with a nod. “I’ve got something to take care of.” Sandra nodded, not daring to question her boss’s decision, though her gaze lingered on Lisa for a moment longer.

“And Sandra,” Claire added as an afterthought, “make sure to take notes on all the updates with Cortex 2.0.”

“Of course,” Sandra replied, quickly jotting something down before returning to her work.

Claire walked to her desk and sat down in the high-backed chair that seemed almost like a throne in the middle of the room. Lisa felt her gaze on her, and suddenly, it was like all the air had been sucked out of the room. Claire’s aura was so powerful, so commanding, that it made Lisa feel like she was about to be judged in some kind of trial.

“You created a scene,” Claire said coldly, her eyes boring into Lisa’s. “I don’t appreciate that.”

Lisa’s anger flared up again, replacing the nervousness she had been feeling just moments before. She stepped up to the desk, standing defiantly in front of Claire. “I wouldn’t have had to cause a scene if you weren’t so impossible to get in touch with!”