New beginning: Billionaire love story

Claire didn't let go of Andre as she dragged him down a deserted hallway, away from the remaining guests and journalists. Her grip was firm-unrelenting.

Andre struggled, his breath uneven. "Claire, listen, I—"

"Shut up," Claire snapped, her eyes burning with fury. "I don't want to hear a single word until we're somewhere privatewhere no one else can hear you."

Andre swallowed hard, realizing there was no talking his way out of this at least, not yet.

Alexander caught up with them, his long strides purposeful. His expression was unreadable, but his sharp eyes flicked between Claire and Andre.

"This is him?" Alexander asked, his voice low but deadly.

Claire nodded stiffly. "This is Andre. The one responsible for ruining your opening night."

Alexander exhaled sharply, studying the man before him. "I want answers, now."

Andre forced a laugh, but it sounded weak. "Hey, man, I-uh-sorry about that. Just a little too much to drink, you know how it is-"

Claire tightened her grip, making him wince. "You think I'm an idiot?" she seethed. "I know you weren't drunk. You pretended to be. You wanted to make a scene.

Andre avoided her piercing gaze, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Claire, you're making a big deal out of nothing."

Alexander took a step closer, his presence intimidating. "Nothing?" His tone was icy. "You ruined an event I spent millions on. You set a fire in my hotel. You embarrassed us in front of investors and the press. You think this is nothing?"

Andre let out a nervous chuckle. "Hey, man, listen-"

"No, you listen," Claire interrupted. "I don't care about your excuses. I know you didn't do this on your

own.

Alexander's eyes darkened. "Who put you up to this?"

Andre hesitated, shifting uncomfortably under their intense gazes.

"Claire..." His voice was barely above a whisper. "You really don't want to know."

Claire's patience snapped. She shoved him against the wall with a force that surprised even Alexander. Andre let out a startled gasp.

"Tell me the truth, Andre!" Claire's voice was filled with frustration.

Remembering that Andre also has the power here and not only Claire, Andre straightens up his back and glares back to Claire. "No one, Claire. I am alone in this besides it's a part of my revenge on you."

Claire scoffed sarcastically. "Revenge? Do you think you can easily fool me? Getting inside here without someone's help would be impossible. And you boldly admit that you work alone?" she couldn't help but clap her hands while laughing wickedly.

"The only thing you are fooling is yourself." She seethed to him.

Andre clenched his fist in anger. "I told you the truth. I had too much drink and I lost my balance. Not to mention there were lots of people out there and someone pushed me. So, it wasn't my fault completely." Alexander chimed in. "How can you so boldly claim that it wasn't your fault? I don't know who you are or what's your deal with Claire but you coming here ruined my opening night."

Andre turned to Alexander and threw him a glare. "You should stay out of this. It is none of your business." Alexander couldn't believe his ears hearing a nobody said that to him. "Watch who you are talking to." He pointed his finger at Andre while shooting him a deadly glare.

"Was it him?" in the midst of the heavy tension, Claire asked. "I said was it him?"

Andre's silence spoke volumes. However, Andre couldn't let them know that all of this were Eligos scheme.

"As I said, no one. I am alone."

"I don't believe you. The only one who has that brain and power-"

Claire's words were cut short by Alexander as he turned to Claire with a confused look mixed with frowning. "What are you two talking about? And who is this "him"?" Claire ignores him as she keeps her focus on Andre.

"You know, Andre...you can gatekeep all you want but that doesn't mean, I will let you go." Andre swallowed the lump in his throat. This is not what he imagined his night would end. "Fuck Eligos. Where was he when Andre needed his help?" he thought to himself.noveldrama

"Still keeping your mouth shut?" Claire raised her brows while crossing his arms over his chest. "Why are you fucking stubborn? I told you I am here alone and all of this was just an accident." "Purposely?"

Andre sighed heavily. He doesn't know what else should he say cause he is running out of words. "Damn it."

"Is it Eligos?" Andre blood run cold.

He thought to himself, "Claire wasn't supposed to know."

Claire raised her brows waiting for Andre to answer her question.

"I don't know who you are talking about."

She sighed as she took a step forward towards Andre. Claire's fingers dug into his shirt. "Eligos." She spat the name like venom. "He put you up to this, didn't he?

Andre's breathing quickened. He tried to shake his head, fear is evident in his eyes but he tries to hide it. Alexander frowned. "Who the hell is Eligos?"

Claire didn't answer. She kept her gaze locked on Andre. "Say his name," she ordered.

"I told you I don't know who is he. I have never heard his name!" Andre struggled to talk.

Alexander exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. "Who is Eligos, Claire?"

Claire's jaw tightened. "He's someone I've been dealing with for a long time. A manipulative bastard who enjoys ruining lives."

Alexander frowned. "And you think he's behind this?" He motioned toward Andre. "What makes you so sure?"

Claire let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. "What makes you think Andre did this on his own?"

Andre tensed at her words, and Claire didn't miss the way his fingers twitched at his sides. He was afraid. Good. He had every reason to be.

Alexander, however, seemed unconvinced. He let out a slow breath, as if trying to keep his frustration in check.

"Claire," he started, rubbing his

temples, "what if he did act alone? Maybe he was just desperate, or maybe he hired someone himself You're acting like this Eligos guy is

some kind of ghost your

life.

Claire scoffed. "You really don't get it, do you?"

She took a step closer to Alexander, her voice lower now, but sharp like a blade. "You have no idea what kind of person we're dealing with. He's not some common criminal or a desperate idiot like Andre. Eligos doesn't just make trouble-he orchestrates it. He pulls strings, makes people do things they never thought they'd do. And when it's all over, he's nowhere to be found. You

ет

never see him coming, and by the

time you realize he was involved, it's too late."

Alexander studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he said, "So he's dangerous."

Claire exhaled sharply. "Extremely."

"And you are sure that Eligos is behind this?"

"Positive."

Andre swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortably. He hated being caught in the middle of this. "Look you people can discuss all night long but please let me go. I have no part in this." Claire turned to Andre again and took a step backward. "Fine. You are free to go."