New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 263

“You?” he blurted out, disbelief lacing his voice.

Claire quickly composed herself, slipping back into her usual calm and collected demeanor. But inside, she couldn’t help but think how strangely lucky—or perhaps unlucky—she was to run into the arrogant man from last night. It was almost as if fate was playing a cruel joke on her.

The man, still staring at her in shock, narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?”

Claire was taken aback by the accusation. She hadn’t followed him, nor did she know the Mateo Jones Alexander had mentioned was this man. Hell, she hadn’t even known his name until now.

With a cool and collected tone, Claire responded, “You’ve got it all wrong.”

But the man wasn’t convinced. He scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest in defiance. “Oh, really? My suspicions aren’t wrong. You’re following me. What, did you want revenge? Or are you trying to ruin my meeting today?”

Claire’s frown deepened. This guy was clearly full of himself. “I’m here for a meeting with Alexander Harris and Mateo Jones,” she said, her voice dripping with calmness, but there was a cold edge to it now.

Mateo—now that she knew his name—let out another scoff, clearly not buying her explanation. “Impossible,” he retorted. “There’s no way you’re Claire Peterson.”

Claire raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she looked him over with a mix of amusement and annoyance. “Haven’t been keeping up with the news, have you?”

Mateo’s eyes narrowed further as he shot back, “You are lying. Claire Peterson is a respectable woman, not someone like you, who doesn’t even know what politeness means.”

Before Claire could respond, the door to the meeting room flew open, and Alexander Harris walked in, looking slightly exasperated. “Have you two already gotten to know each other?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at the tension in the room.

Claire turned to Alexander, her cold gaze locking onto his. “Who exactly is Mateo Jones?” she asked, clearly unimpressed with the man in question.

Alexander glanced between the two of them, sensing the awkwardness. “Mateo will be our publicist for the new hotel in Las Vegas,” he explained, trying to gauge their reactions.

Claire suddenly burst out laughing, a sound so unexpected and out of character that both Alexander and Mateo stared at her in utter confusion. “Oh my God, I can’t believe this.”

“What’s so funny?” Alexander asked, frowning in bewilderment.

Claire composed herself, though a trace of amusement lingered in her eyes. “A man like Mateo? It’s impossible for him to be the publicist for your new hotel. He can’t even market himself as a trusted and respectable person.”

Alexander’s confusion deepened. “What do you mean by that?” he asked, looking between Claire and Mateo, hoping for some kind of explanation.

Claire took a seat at the table, crossing her legs with casual confidence. “Let’s just say Mateo here doesn’t exactly know how to treat people with respect,” she said, casting a glance at Mateo, who was starting to look increasingly nervous.