New beginning: Billionaire love story

Eligos stared at the news broadcast in disbelief, watching Claire Peterson stride out of the police station like she owned the place. His plans hadn't just gone sideways-they'd crashed and burned. She'd been out of lockup in under five hours, smirking, no less, with her entourage in tow.

Eligos gripped his wine glass, his knuckles turning white. With a snarl, he flung it across the room, where it shattered against the wall, wine dripping down in dark, bloody streaks.

"Unbelievable. This wasn't supposed to happen," he muttered, his gaze fixed on the television. He hit replay, watching the scene again, seething as Claire stepped confidently out, flanked by an older man and a woman.

The man, he quickly realized, was none other than Mr. Saint Laurent, the kingpin of the global business world. His fury surged as he considered her connections. So, Claire had friends in high places. He'd always known she was well-connected, but seeing Saint Laurent by her side was a slap in the face.

"Of course, she knew him. Dammit!"

Slumping back into his chair, Eligos drummed his fingers against his desk.

This wouldn't do.

She wasn't just slippery; she was untouchable, shielded by a fortress of powerful allies.

"She knows all the right people."

Well, two could play that game. He would figure out everyone in her inner circle and unravel the web she'd so carefully spun. His mind worked overtime as he began digging.

Hours passed as he unearthed every possible ally of Claire's. First on the list: is Robert Robertson. The old man was influential, though rumor had it that Claire didn't have a particularly high opinion of him. He smirked at that. Perhaps the weakness in her armor? Next, Jack Wilson, Claire's godfather. Rarely seen in public, but a close friend of her father. He'd be difficult to manipulate, Eligos noted. Then came Alexander Harris, CEO of Harris Corporation and Claire's former husband.

"Alexander Harris," Eligos murmured, a twisted smile forming. They'd been business partners even after their divorce, which only added another layer of intrigue. Not someone Claire could easily control, but possibly just as invested in her success. Still, he hadn't been there at the jail today, which told Eligos Harris likely wasn't a direct player in her release.

Eligos dug deeper, but there wasn't much to be found. If there was a rift, it wasn't a public one.

The fourth name made him pause. Lisa Thompson. The details were sketchy, but from what he gathered, Lisa had made multiple attempts on Claire's life. Eligos chuckled, amused at the notion. Maybe Lisa could be a useful pawn in the future. Who knew? He filed her away mentally as a "potential psycho ally."

"And then there's Adrian Saint Laurent," he said, voice dripping with distaste.

Adrian Saint Laurent-Claire's boyfriend, or so the rumors went. The man he'd nearly taken out in his car explosion. So, Adrian was more than just a business ally; he was in a relationship with Claire. That connection extended to his influential family, including the old man who'd just walked her out of jail. "She's closer to that family than I thought." That meant she'd have deep resources to fall back on, making his work even harder.

So, even blowing up her lover's car hadn't rattled her. But Adrian came with a family attached, namely the Saint Laurents, and that made him more dangerous than useful for now.

After Adrian came to Talia, Claire's best friend and someone Eligos could barely find a whiff of drama on. Frustrating. And lastly, Matthew Finnegan. Eligos couldn't find anything substantial about him either, except that he was Claire's "trusted advisor and friend." This one intrigued him the most-someone so close, yet shrouded in mystery.

He leaned back, staring at the list, feeling more focused but still simmering with frustration. Claire's network was stronger than he'd given her credit for. Taking her down would require time, patience, and a few willing players-like Lisa, who seemed just unhinged enough to help.

Eligos leaned back, tapping his chin. Matthew could be a problem. He was involved in all her crises, always hovering nearby, probably advising her on how to wriggle out of trouble. Noted. Matthew was next on his list of people to deal with. Maybe it's time Matthew met a little "accident" himself.

Meanwhile, in her penthouse, Claire reclined in her room, phone pressed to her ear, talking to Matthew about her next move. Her business partner Alexander Harris had informed her of an unexpected order: she was to prepare for a trip to Vegas

Matthew raised an eyebrow as Claire filled him in, clearly amused. "Since when do you follow orders, Claire?" he teased.

"Very funny, Matthew," she replied, rolling her eyes even though he couldn't see it.noveldrama

Matthew chuckled. "But are you sure it's wise to leave right now? With all the chaos happening in London, heading to Vegas sounds... risky."

Claire sighed, staring at the ceiling. "I don't have much of a choice, Matthew. I'm bound by contract, and Alexander is my business partner. Plus, he's been pestering me nonstop. Apparently, it's important."

"More like annoying," Matthew muttered under his breath. "Harris just loves to complicate things for you."

Claire couldn't help but laugh. "He's like a stubborn flea you can't get rid of," she joked, and they both laughed, momentarily forgetting the stress hanging over them.

After a moment, Claire's tone turned serious. "Listen, Matthew, while I'm gone, I need you to keep an eye on both Metacortex and Cryptonic. I'll help however I can from afar, but I trust you to handle things on the ground." Matthew hesitated. "Both companies at once? Claire, that's a lot. I mean, I don't know if I can juggle it all."

Claire's voice softened. "Matthew, if anyone can do it, it's you. That's why you're my advisor, remember? I believe in you."

A faint chuckle escaped him. "Yeah, yeah, flattering me won't make it easier, Claire."

"Oh, I'm not flattering you. I'm just stating the truth," she replied smoothly, the trace of a smile in her voice.

Matthew sighed, but there was a hint of pride there. "Fine. But don't blame me if something goes up in flames while you're off in Vegas."

"I promise, no blaming," Claire assured him. "But seriously, thank you."

They spent a few more minutes

going over the specifics, from key

contacts to the latest security protocols they'd need to update. With everything as settled as it could be, Claire said goodbye, leaving Matthew to his own thoughts as he put his phone away.

He had to admit, that handling both companies without her wouldn't be easy, but for Claire, he was willing to try.

Eligos, on the other hand, was still sitting in his darkened office, mulling over everything he'd just learned. He clicked off his screen, satisfied with the information he'd gathered. He leaned back in his chair, the glass shards from his earlier tantrum still on the floor around him.

Claire's connections ran deeper than he'd thought, but that didn't make him any less determined to bring her down. And now, with a name like Matthew Finnegan sticking out, he had a new angle to explore. This Matthew character would be the perfect obstacle to tackle.