New beginning: Billionaire love story

The day of the event had finally arrived, and Claire was standing in front of her full-length mirror, admiring her reflection. She looked stunning in a backless black dress that hugged her figure perfectly.

The Harry Winston jewelry sparkled against her skin, adding just the right amount of glamour. Her makeup was flawless, and her hair was styled to perfection, thanks to the talented stylist she had hired. Claire couldn't help but smile at how everything had come together. Even the 5-inch heels, which made her feel like a giant, were the perfect finishing touch.

Grabbing her YSL clutch, Claire took one last look in the mirror before leaving her penthouse. Claire feel slightly nervous as she step inside the car but she is confident tonight will go well. Tonight was a big night-Harris and Metacortex were making their first public appearance together, and Claire knew all eyes would be on them.

The car ride to the Harris Hotel took about thirty minutes, giving Claire plenty of time to go over everything in her head. She was slightly nervous, which wasn't like her at all. But hey, even the fiercest lioness gets butterflies when the stakes are high.

As they pulled up to the hotel, she noticed something unusual no paparazzi swarming the entrance. Instead, there were only a few photographers, likely handpicked by Alex to keep the event private. Smart move, she thought.

Stepping out of the car, Claire took a deep breath and strutted inside the hotel, her heels clicking confidently against the marble floor. She headed straight for the elevator, making her way to the ballroom on the tenth floor.

When she reached the ballroom, Claire handed over her invitation card, and the staff quickly let her in. Inside, it was just as she expected an elegant sea of expensive dresses, sparkling jewelry, and men showing off their luxury watches like they were in some sort of competition. Business events had a certain vibe, and this one was no different. It was all about who looked the best, who had the most influence, and who could out-charm everyone else in the room.

Claire was halfway through the crowd, expertly weaving her way through clusters of conversation, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, slightly startled, and there stood Adrian.

"Adrian!" she exclaimed, genuinely surprised. A warm smile spread across her face as she greeted him with a hug. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Adrian chuckled softly. "Yeah, well, my grandfather couldn't make it, so here I am, representing the family."

Claire laughed lightly, shaking her head. "It sounds like he's slowly pushing you into his shoes. Planning to take over the family business already?"

Adrian gave a nonchalant shrug, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "That's the plan, apparently. My grandfather's already got it all figured out."

Claire raised her brows, curiosity piqued. "How do you feel about that? I mean, with your club in America and the family business here in London, it's a lot to juggle."

Adrian, ever the smooth talker, grabbed two champagne glasses from a passing waiter and handed one to Claire. He took a sip before answering, his tone calm and collected. "I'll figure it out. It's all about balance, right?"

Claire smiled, clinking her glass against his. "Well, if you ever need help balancing, you know where to find me."

There was a brief moment of silence as Adrian looked into Claire's eyes, his gaze softening. Almost without thinking, he blurted out, "You look absolutely stunning tonight, Claire."

Claire chuckled. "Thank you, Adrian. You're not looking too bad yourself."

As they continued talking, from across the room, Alex was deep in conversation with a potential investor. But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something that made him pause-Claire, standing with Adrian? A frown creased his forehead as confusion washed over him. He was certain he hadn't invited Adrian, just his grandfather. So how did Adrian get in?

The investor in front of Alex cleared his throat, snapping Alex back to the conversation. "Alex? What do you think about that?"

Alex forced a smile, trying to shake off the distraction. "I'm sorry, I'll be right back. I just need to check on something."

He excused himself and made his way toward Claire, weaving through the crowd with purpose. As he approached, he could see Claire and Adrian laughing together, clearly enjoying each other's company. For some reason, it bothered him more than it should. "Claire," Alex greeted her, his voice smooth but with a hint of curiosity. He glanced at Adrian, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Adrian, I didn't expect to see you here."

Adrian flashed a charming smile. "I'm sure you didn't. My grandfather couldn't make it, so I'm here in his place."

Alex's eyes still narrowed toward him. "Right." he turned to Claire. "Claire, may I talk to you in private?"

Claire raised her brows wondering why Alex wanted to talk again but she didn't question. "I'll see you around, Adrian." she shot him a smile and trailed behind Alex.

Alex found a secluded spot on the

balcony, away from the noise of the event. He shut the door behind him, ensuring t was just him and Claire. The night air was cool, and the city lights sparkled in the distance, but

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anything but calm.

Claire, looking stunning as always, took a sip of her champagne, her expression cold. "What do you want to talk about, Alex?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Alex, still frowning, stood in front of her. "Why do you keep bumping into Adrian?" he asked, his frustration evident.

Claire rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Seriously, Alex? Why are you still so curious about my private life?"

"I'm not curious," Alex insisted, though his tone suggested otherwise. "I was just... wondering."

"Wondering," Claire echoed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She stared at him with her signature icy gaze. "You know why? Because you invited him." Alex shoved his hands into his pockets, scoffing. "I invited his grandfather, not him."

Claire sighed, clearly done with the conversation. "If this is what you wanted to talk about, I'm leaving."

Before she could take a step, Alex quickly reached out, stopping her. "Wait, Claire. I'm sorry, okay? That was out of line."

Claire paused, glancing at him with a raised eyebrow. "Fine. What is it you really want to talk about?"

stage tonight."

bout the project at the hotel. Just enough to get them interested but not too much."

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Alex nodded, appreciating her approach. "That makes sense."

Claire raised her brows, sensing he had more on his mind. "Is there something else you want to talk about?'

Alex opened his mouth to speak but then seemed to reconsider. He shook his head instead. "No, nothing else."

Claire gave him a curious look but

didn't press further. She turned to

walk past him, ready to head back inside. Just as she reached the door, Alex called out to her, his voice soft and uncharacteristically gentle.

"Claire."

She paused and turned back to him, her expression questioning.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Alex held his tongue to compliment Claire on her appearance and decided to say otherwise. "Good luck with the announcement."