New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 346

Matthew glanced up at Claire, eyebrows raised. “What’s the plan after this? Just leak it all?”

Claire didn’t answer right away. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the desk, deep in thought. Then, with a sudden decision, she buzzed her intercom. “Sandra, get me the jet ready. I'm heading to France.”

Sandra's voice crackled through the speaker, steady as ever. “On it, Ms. Peterson.”

Matthew's eyes went wide. “Wait, wait, wait—France? You’re going to France? Like, right now?”

Claire smirked. “What better way to deal with Claudia than face-to-face? I’m not going to sit back and play digital chess. I want her to see me coming.”

Matthew crossed his arms, eyebrows knitting together. “But, Claire, come on! You can’t just—”

Claire held up a hand to stop him. “I can and I will. Besides, I prefer confronting her directly rather than dealing with this mess from a distance. She’s not going to get away with this.”

Matthew sat up straight, shaking his head. “Then let me come with you. I’ll be there to back you up! You know, in case things get... messy.”

Claire rolled her eyes, already anticipating his argument. “Matthew, I need you here in London. You’re better off at the office, tracking Claudia's movements. If she’s pulling strings, I want to know about it, and you're the best at sniffing out her next moves.”

Matthew slumped in his seat, looking like a disappointed kid who’d just been told he couldn’t go to Disneyland. “But... France! Come on, Claire! I wanna help!”

She chuckled softly, used to his whining by now. “I’ll bring you back a souvenir,” she teased, unable to resist.

Instantly, Matthew’s face lit up, his childish grin spreading ear to ear. “Deal! But it better be a cool souvenir. None of that cheesy Eiffel Tower keychain stuff.”

Claire shook her head, smiling despite herself. She had no idea how someone so calculating and brilliant could also be such a complete child sometimes. Standing up, she slung her bag over her shoulder and started for the door.

Just as she reached the threshold, Matthew called after her. “Claire.”

She turned, eyebrows raised in question. His expression had shifted, the playfulness replaced by something serious. “Be careful, okay?”

For a brief moment, Claire softened. She gave him a small, appreciative smile and nodded. “Always.”

Leaving her office, Claire strolled down the hallway to where Sandra was waiting at her desk. “Have my car ready in the lobby,” Claire instructed, and without missing a beat, Sandra got to work on her phone. Claire made a quick call, her mind already focused on the confrontation ahead as she stepped into the elevator.

By the time she reached the lobby, the reporters camped outside had thinned out. Maybe they'd grown tired of waiting for hours with no response. Claire didn’t so much as glance in their direction as she exited the building, her focus unwavering. She ignored the rapid-fire questions hurled her way, slipping into the backseat of her waiting car.

The drive to the airport dragged on longer than she'd hoped. After an hour of sitting in traffic, Claire huffed in frustration, muttering under her breath. “Should’ve taken the helicopter.”

The car finally pulled up at a quieter entrance, one designed for private use. Claire wasted no time, hopping out of the car the second it stopped. The air stewardess and pilot were already there, greeting her as she hurried up the stairs into the jet.

But the moment she stepped inside, she froze. There, sitting casually in one of the plush seats, was Adrian, looking like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

Claire stammered, completely caught off guard. “Adrian? What are you doing here?”

He smiled in that easygoing way of his. “Heard you were headed to France. Figured I could keep you company.”