New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 94

Chapter 94. A needle in a haystack 

Claire stared at the news on her computer screen, dumbfounded 

She never expected to see that HP and Venus AMD had made an official partnership. 

Her thoughts was racing with an overwhelming sense of betrayal from Mr. Rodriguez, and the news that Hip had released instantly felt like a slap in the face, When Mr. Rodriguez had proposed a partnership to her, he hadn’t rushed to announce it to the press. He’d said he wanted to make it a surprise. Tums out, it is differnt from what he’d promised 

Claire scoffed, a mix of disbelief and anger bubbling inside her. She looked up at Sandra, who stood nearby. 

“Is this really happening? Did they toy with us?” Claire asked, referring to Hp.. 

Sandra hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Before she could muster a reply, Claire cut her off with a sharp breath. 

“This is not what I imagined,” Claire muttered to herself, her fingers scrolling down the news feed in a desperate search for more information. 

She stopped at one particular headline and cliclued on it, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. The article featured a video of Venus AMD launching their new software. 

Claire already had a bad feeling about it, but she clicked on the video. 

Her heart fell as she watched. 

The project Venus AMD was presenting was identical to her own. The ideas, the details, everything was exactly what she had discussed with her team. 

“Am seeing things?” she whispered, trying to make sense of the situation. 

Sandra, still standing nearby, noticed the change in Claire’s demeanor, “What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned lacing her voor 

“Come here and watch this,” Claire replied, her voice tensed, eyes still trained on the screen 

Sandra moved to Claire’s desk and watched the video. Her eyes widened in shock “It can’t be. That’s our project! How can they have it? 

“Exactly.“Claire said, her voice cold. 

She tumed to Sandia, berface set in a serious expression. “Gather the team. 

Now.” 

Sandra didn’t ask any questions, the immediately made her way out of Claire’s office to gather the team. 

Claire closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself she knew she had to stay professional and not lash out without proef. 

she doesn’t want her employees to hate her and talk badly about her behind her back She is not Robert; she remembers that in her mind. 

Standing up, Claire made her way to the meeting room. When she arrived, the team was already there, whispering among themselves. The murmurs ceased as Claire stepped inside, their attention shifting to her. 

The tension grew in the room even before Claire uttered a word. 

“I apologize for interrupting your work but there is something more significant we need to discuss.” 

Claire tumed to Sandra. “Sandca, please show the video.” 

Sandra connected her laptop to the projector and played the video. The room fell into a hushed silence as everyone watched, Claire observed their faces closely. noting every reaction. Shock, confusion, and disbelief played across their expressions. 

As the video ended, one of the employees spoke up. “That’s our project How can this be?“. 

Another chimed in “This doesn’t make any sense, How did they get our idea?” 

Claire held up her hand to silence the growing chatter. “He has terminated our contract before it even started,” she began, her voice steady but heated with frustration. “They’ve announced an official collaboration with Venus AMD. What caught my attention is how Mr. Rodriguez accused us of copying Venus AMD’s project ” 

There was abrupt stillness in the room. Claire studied their expressions, searching for any hint of lies or regret. 

“I need to know who leaked our information to Venus AMD and if one of you involve in any of this” she said, her gaze piercing through the room 

Before they could get the wrong idea, Claire clarified. “Our project, Cortex 2.0 is confidential and no one in this company know aside from the team, Sandra, 

1. me. And 1 told all of you to keep it a secret about the details and the idea. So, I am asking if any of you accidentally tell anyone about it.” 

The employees exchanged glances. Their faces mixed with surprised, shocked, contusion and worried. None of them leaked the information even to their coworkers, especially to an outsider. Mums of confusion rippled through the group. 

One by one, they began to speak up. 

“Ms.Peterson, I assure you we wouldn’t do such thing.“A hint of nervousness was visible in his eyes as he tried to justify the team 

“None of us would do such thing, Ms. Peterson.” Another employer chimed in. “We all know how important and confidential the project is and we have been very careful. No one outside this coom knows about the project.” 

Claire crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing trust you all, but if anyone here is lying and has betrayed me, It won’t end well If there’s something you need to confess, now is the tim 

The rooms fell silent again, but this time the silence was more tense, almost suffocating 

The workers exchanged glances as they attempted to figure out who might be involved. But there was no hint of lying. They all turned back to Claire as none of them betrayed her. 

“Ms. Peterson, we promise you we are not the one who leaked the information.” 

Chapter 11 A neeide in a haystack 

Claire studied their faces for a long moment, searching for any hint of dishonesty. But a