New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex)
Chapter 74

Chapter 74 Revisit your own past

Clatest at her desk, a swirl of conflicting emotions clouding her mind, she had promised herself to stay away from anything related to Alexander Harris, yet here she wm, ristangled in a situation she had vowed to avoid. The memory of her own words, wishing to see Alex regret marrying Lisa, felt like a distant echo now.

Witha fustrated groan, Claire buried her head in beras on the table, trying to multle her distress. The sudden sound of the door busting open.

"Are you okay, Claire? Matthew's voice held gemine concern as he appenarbed her

chaine still living her head barled, her voice slightly muffled as she replied. "I'm okay."

Matthew raised an eyebrow, not convinced. "I can't bear you with your face buried like that," he teased gently.

Claire lifted her head and repeated, "I said I'm okay."

arked with

Matthew studied her expression, a kusowing, smlik playing on his laps. "You're definitely not okay," he remarked with a hint of amusement.

He placed the files Claire had asked him to replace on her desk "Here are the tiles you needed."

Taking a deep breath, Claire looked at Matthew with a mixture of frustration and confusion. "Am I stupid?" she began, her voice tinged with self-doubt. Matthew shook his head. "No, Claire."

"Am I crazy then?" catre continued; her tone filled with exasperation.

Again, Matthew shook his head. "You're not etary either."

Claire ran a hand through her hair, frustration evident in her features. "Then what am I doing?" she questioned aloud, her voice laced with uncertainty. Matthew maintained his composure, urging her to calm down. "Take a deep breath, Claire, 1t's going to be okay." But Claire couldn't quell her inner turmoil. "I'm such a impocrite," she inattered, her thoughts racing.

"I remember vowing to myself to stay away

w from anything related to Alex, and yet here I am, tangled in all of this."

Matthew listened attentively, his gaze thoughtful. "Why did you do it, late?"

Claire shrugged, a mixture of contusion and frustration evident on her face. "I don't know."

Matthew's tone was gentle but firm. "You need to replace the answer before diving into something like this. If you don't want to do it, then don't."

Claire's sarcasm crept in as she repeated his words, "Thanks, Mr. Obvious"

Matthew's are turned serious. "I mean it, Claire, just think about it before making any decisions. The rest is up to you."

With that, Matthew left Claire's office, leaving her alone with her swirling thoughts. She leaned back in her chair, feeling the weight of indecision pressing down on her.

The office was quiet, offering her a moment of solitude to reflect. Claire's mind drifted to the events of the past few days, the unexpected turn of events that had brought Alexback into her life in a way she hadn't anticipated

Grabbing the files scattered on her desk, Claire stood up and made her way

way to the couch in her office. She lay down, staring at the files in her hands, but her mind

was chewhere.

There was a nagging uncertainty, claire wrestled with her own feelings, tom between her past promises to herself.

Time seemed to slip away as Clair lay on the couch, lost in her thoughts. She knew she needed to make a decision, one that could have far-reaching consequences. Michael's words from the previous day echoed in her thoughts. He was like a father figure to her, and the concern in his voice had struck a chord deep within her. "They treated me well," Claice muttered to herself, thinking of the Harris family that had shown her kindness,

"I won't let Lisa coin their family. I guess I'm really doing this

Lisa who is surfing the internet to replace a perfect location for thelbymoon being interrupted by her phone ringing. As she answered, the familiar voice spoke and Lisa close er eyes knowing where the conversation is going. Herex-boyfriend's impatient voice cut through the line.

Lisa's annoyance was palpable as she replied, "I need more time, olay?"

Her ex-boyfriend scoffed on the other end. "You've had enough time. I want the thoney now,

Frustration crept into Lisa's toe as she clenched her fist. "Fine, I'll give it to you in person."

Asly chuckle came from betex. "That's what I want to hear. I'll arrange the meet-up. Don't be late," he wanted before ending the call.

Lisa cursed under her breath, knowing she had to act fast, Withdrawing the money was her next step, with the wedding preparation, she is sure Alex won't be suspicious as she used her wedding situation as all opportunity.

As the clock struck in, Lisa gatesed the bag of money and slipped out of her car. She donned a black hoodie and cap, aliming to stay unnoticed as slur headed to ex-boyfriend's old apartment

Lisa stoned list the cramped, dingy apartment, hot frustration palpable. "I can't believe I have to come back to this stinky place," she muttered under her breath,

her toured with disin

Inside, she launclesd on the door, and within moments, it swung open to reveal her ex, waiting expectantly, Lisa wasted no time and got straight to the point. "Where's the video?" she demanded, her eyes fixed on him.

He waved her off canually. "Calm down, Lisa Let's chat a bit that, he trased, clearly enjoying her discomfor

Chapter 4 Revisit your own past

"I don't want to spend another second in this disgusting apartment," she snapped, her voice tinged with imitation.

own past," he suggested with a

Ignoring her outburst, the man walked over to the couch and sat down calmly. "Why don't you take a seat, Lisa? Maybe revisit your own pas playful wriggle of his brows.

Lisa scrunched up her face in disgust. "I don't have time for your games," she retorted sharply, her patience wearing thin. The man leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "Afraid the boyfriend will replace out?" he teased, poking at Lisa's nerves. Lisa's annoyance flared as she shot him a glare. "Do you want the money or not?" she demanded, her tone firm and no-nonsense. The man chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, let's get to it," he conceded, his amusement evident. He opened the shelf and took the flash drive. As he show Lisa the flash, she was about to take it until he retract the flash and smirk. "Money first."

Lisa throw the bag to the floor next to him. He handed Lisa the flash but then he grip her hands. She quickly pulled her hands and shoot him a glare.

"Don't you dare touch me, Lisa wamed, her eyes flashing with anger.

The man chuckled again, unfazed by her reaction. "Relax, darling, just a friendly gesture," he remarked casually.

As she turned to leave, the man couldn't resist a parting shot. If you ever need someone who can satisfy you, you know where to replace me," he called after her, his to dripping with innuendo,

Lisa didn't dignity his comment with a response. She hurried out of the apartment, not bothering to thank him, and climbed in her car. The sense palpable as she drove away from that unpleasant encounter, eager to put the entire ordeal behind her. sense of relief was