New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 503

As the sun dipped lower in the horizon, she found herself outside a high-end restaurant. Deciding she needed a distraction, she stepped inside and requested a table for one.

She ordered a steak and a glass of wine, hoping the meal would help ground her, but before she could even take a bite, a voice from behind sent a chill down her spine.

“How was last night’s performance?”

Claire’s fork froze mid-air.

The voice was low, smooth, and eerily amused. And though she hadn’t turned around, she already knew who it belonged to.

Eligos.

The hunger she had moments ago vanished instantly.

She remained still, her mind racing. She could feel the presence behind her, but before she could turn around, the voice continued, lower this time.

“Don’t move,” he warned, a dark chuckle escaping him. “Unless, of course, you’d like me to take over Metacortex. Or maybe Cryptonic. That would be fun, wouldn’t it?”

Claire’s grip on her utensils tightened.

This wasn’t just about the hotel disaster. He wanted something.

“Eligos,” she said evenly, placing her knife and fork down. “What do you want?”

He hummed, as if pondering. “I want the truth.”

Claire’s brows furrowed. “Truth about what?”

Eligos let out a small, amused sigh. “Come now, Claire. Don’t play dumb.”

“I genuinely don’t know what you’re talking about.”

There was a long silence before Eligos finally answered.

“Allan.”

Claire’s breath hitched slightly.

Eligos leaned in slightly, though they still weren’t facing each other. “You have one week, Claire. One week to come to me and admit all your wrongdoings. Tell me the truth about Allan.”

Claire turned sharply, but—

He was gone.

Her heart pounded as she looked around. No sign of him. No trace. Just the normal hum of restaurant patrons enjoying their evening.

Then, she spotted something on the table where he had been sitting moments before.

A small, neatly folded piece of paper.

With a name.

Allan Smith. One week.

The streets of Las Vegas blurred past as Claire sat in the backseat of the car, her fingers lightly tapping against her knee. The encounter with Eligos still played in her mind, each word a lingering echo she couldn’t shake off. The piece of paper he left behind felt heavier than it should, as though it carried more than just ink—it carried a threat.

Allan Smith. One week.

A shiver ran down her spine. The name wasn’t unfamiliar. Years ago, she had already looked into Allan Smith, trying to untangle the truth behind his life and his supposed death. But with everything that had happened—Robert, Gretta, Lisa, Alex, Frank—her search had faded into the background. Now, Eligos had thrust it back to the forefront.

Why was he so fixated on Allan Smith?

That is the question that she needs to find the answer.

The next morning, Alexander sat at his desk, flipping through a stack of reports when Claire walked in. His sharp gaze lifted, briefly scanning her face. She looked the same as always—poised, unreadable, and determined. But there was something else, something beneath the surface that made him frown.

“You’re heading back already?” he asked, setting the papers aside.

Claire nodded. “My work here is done. I have other things to handle in London.”

Alexander leaned back in his chair, considering her words.

“I’ve found information about Andre.”

Claire raised her brows at his statement.

“Andre had a debt, a big one then suddenly all of his debts has been paid. And I know who did it.”

“Eligos right? Don’t worry, Andre told me everything yesterday.”

“He did?” Alexander sounded surprised, like he didn’t expect it.

“Yeah. However, I need to finish my investigation on Eligos.”