New beginning: Billionaire love story

Winnie pressed herself against the cold wall of the parking lot, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum. Oh no, oh no, oh no, she thought, gripping her phone tightly as she dared to peek around the corner. She could just make out the silhouette of the woman she was following-Evelyn, or at least that was the name Winnie had overheard.

The flash from her phone had been a rookie mistake, one she couldn't afford to make again. If Evelyn-or whoever she really was-saw her, Winnie's cover would be blown, and she didn't even want to think about what Claire would say if that happened. Worse, Evelyn might alert whoever she was working with, and the entire operation would fall apart.

Winnie took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her hand trembled as she turned the flash off her phone, mentally kicking herself for being so careless. When she risked another glance, she saw Evelyn shrug and continue walking toward the ward entrance. Winnie exhaled in relief but knew she couldn't let her guard down.

She whispered to herself, "Okay, Winnie, you've got this. Just stay calm and don't get caught."

The parking lot lights buzzed faintly above her as she adjusted her position, making sure to stay out of sight. She couldn't follow Evelyn inside; not without her ID or her glasses that helped complete her disguise. All she could do was observe from a distance and hope to gather enough information to report back to Claire.

From where she stood, she watched as Evelyn approached the ward's entrance, making eye contact with a security guard. Something about the interaction fell off. The subtle nod exchanged between the two of them and the small smirk on Evelyn's face made Winnie's stomach churn. What kind of business does she have here? Winnie wondered.

She snapped another photo, this time with no flash, capturing Evelyn signing a logbook before the guard handed her a visitor ID. Evelyn disappeared into the ward, leaving Winnie behind with more questions than answers.

Inside the hospital ward, Gretta-under the alias Evelyn-walked with purpose. The heels of her boots clicked softly against the polished floor as she navigated the sterile halls. Her fake ID was clipped to her coat, but she still felt the need to keep her head low, just in case. The guard she had bribed earlier had come through, and now, all that was left was to execute the next step of her plan.

She reached the room where Lisa Thompson was being kept and paused outside the door. For a moment, Gretta adjusted her posture, smoothing down her coat and brushing back a strand of her dark hair. Then, with a confident smirk, she pushed the door open.

Lisa looked up with a blank face and then back to the window. "What are you doing here? I thought that once you have formed a plan, you will tell me. So, I assume, you already have a plan?"

Gretta pulled the chair and sat while looking at Lisa. She then said to Lisa that she wanted to make sure that Lisa was doing well.

Lisa rolled her eyes cause she didn't need to be checked but she wanted to be free from these crazy people that she hated so much not to mention the nurse who forced her to drink medicine. So, all this time Lisa placed it under her tongue and then threw it later in the bathroom.

"I do have a plan but not complete yet. I just want to make sure that once make this plan complete, are you really want to be a part of it? Even if it is crazy?"

Lisa raised her brows. "Crazy? Do I want to do it? Gretta, are you aware of where we are right now? I have done lots of crazy things and even if this is much more crazy, I don't care as long as I am free from this hellhole and I can have my revenge on Claire."

Meanwhile, across the city, Adrian stood in front of Claire's penthouse door, his hand raised to knock. He hesitated for a brief moment, wondering if she'd even want to see him after the week she'd had. But then he shook the doubt from his mind. If there was ever a time Claire needed support, it was now.

He wrapped his knuckles against the door, the sound echoing through the quiet hallway. Moments later, he heard the faint shuffle of footsteps before the door swung open. Člaire stood there, looking exhausted but still maintaining her composed demeanor. Her sharp eyes softened slightly when she saw Adrian.

"Adrian," she said, her voice tinged with surprise. "What are you doing here?"noveldrama

"I landed a few hours ago," he replied, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "I called Sandra,

and she told me you were here. I figured I'd come by and see how you were holding up.'

Claire closed the door behind him and crossed her arms. "You didn't have to do that. I'm fine."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, his

expression skeptical. "You're fine?

Claire, I know you. You're not fine. And before you start with the 'I don't need anyone's help' speech, let me remind you that I'm not just anyone."

Claire sighed, running a hand through her hair as she moved toward the living room. She sank into the plush armchair, and Adrian followed, taking a seat across from her.

"It's been a rough couple of days," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "Matthew's in the hospital and I've got people breathing down my neck from every angle."

Adrian leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "And you're trying to handle it all on your own, aren't you?"

She shot him a look but didn't deny it.

"Claire," he said softly, his tone filled with concern. "You don't have to do this by yourself. Let me help. I want to help.

Claire hesitated, her walls

threatening to come up again. But when she looked into Adrian's eyes, she saw nothing but sincerity. It was rare for her to let anyone in, to show vulnerability. But Adrian wasn't just anyone. He was someone who had seen her at her worst and stayed by

her side.

"I appreciate it," she said finally. "I do. But there are things I can't involve you in. Things you wouldn't understand."

"Try me," Adrian replied without missing a beat.

Claire let out a small laugh, though it held no real humor. "You're relentless, you know that?"

Adrian smiled. "It's one of my better qualities."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air. Finally, Claire spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I went to see my parents today," she said, her eyes fixed on a spot on the floor. "Their graves. I needed a moment to think, to figure out what the hell I'm doing."

Adrian reached across the small table between them and took her hand in his. "And did it help?"

She looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "I don't know. Maybe. But it reminded me of something Matthew said to me once. He told me that no matter how bad things get, I'm not alone."

Adrian squeezed her hand gently. "He's right. You're not alone, Claire. You've got me. You've got people who care about you."

For the first time in days, Claire felt a flicker of warmth in her chest. It didn't fix everything, but it was a start.

"Thank you," she said, her voice soft. "For being here."

"Always," Adrian replied with a small smile.

As they sat there, the chaos of the

world outside seemed to fade away, if only for a moment. But

somewhere in the back of Claire'set

mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that this calm wouldn't last. Not with people like Evelyn-or Gretta-out

there, plotting their next move.