New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex)
Chapter 92

Chapter 92 Diner with the Robert

As Claire entered the lavishonestaamand, the night had descended into a serete atmosphere with a sens

sense of luxury enveloping her. The soft glow of the chandeliers cast awam filmover the diures, did the air was filled will the clinking of glasses and nummers of conversation. claire was not one to indulge inoften, but tonight she had decided in feral herself to something special, a bottle of the finest wine the establishment had to offer.

The wallies, clad in artisp uniform, greeted Claire with a simile as she approached. "Good evening, mardam, Do you luve a reservation?" she inquired politely. Clarinddeil. "Yes, mader the name Calir Interson," she replied, retuming the smile,

nighilds way, Ms. Peterson," The waitress said, leading her in a table set with plushchairs and fine liners

Clatte settled into her seat, taking in the ambilaner of the upscale restaurant.

As the waitress retuned with themes, Claire perused the selection before confidently ordering the most expensive bottle of wine they had, along with a decadent scallop pasta "Excellent choker, madam,"

"the waliuess temarked, jotting down the order before disappearing into the kitchen,

Alone in the calun atmosphere of the restaurant, Clalte listened to the soft jazz music playing in the background. Suddenly, her attention was drawn to a slight.

i sight of a familiar couple Roberi

and Gretta Robertson. With a smirk, she made her way over to them, internpting

Curiositypiqued, Claire stood up and caught s Robert's Urade against the statt,

"Robert, Gertta, what a pleasant suprise," Claire greeted thermally, Ignoring Robert's Imitated demeanor.

Hobest looked slightly taken aback before composting himself.

"Clare, I didn't expect to see you here," he replied, his tone cool.

Claire's eyes flicked between them, noting it's uneasy demeant. When Robert tumed his attention back to her, she sensed an opportunity to diffuse the Tension

*Not at all." Clair assured him will asle. "I was just curious about the commotion. Es everything alright?"

The stall, still visibly shaken from Robert's earlier outbest, explained that the restaurant was fully booked but had accommodated them reluctantly.

Tuming back to Robert and Grella, Claire extended an invitation "Why don't you join me? I have plenty of room at my table,"

Robert arched an eyebrow skeptically, while Getta lugged at his arm, urging him to leave. Ignoring his wife's silent pleas, Robert tumed to Claire with a hint of suspicion "Are you serious?" lirashed incedulously,

Claire nodded, her sale wavering "Of course it would be my pleasure."

Gretta's eyes widened with concent, fearing Claire's ulterior motives. "Roben, maybe we should replace another restaurant," she whispered urgently.

However, Robert tied to Claire and accept Claire offer despite his wife refusal. "If you will have us, then we accept

Gretta's anxiety only grew as they followed Claire to her table, te of what Glatte was planning after their last encounter "Please have a seat.'

As they settled in Claire signaled for the waters to bring over the menu. She watched them closely as they perused their options, noticing Guetta's distracted

Guetta was filled with anxiety as she considered her chances that claire would tell Robert about what she had done. She couldn't focus on the menu, her nerves celling the best of her. Once they had placed thereeders, the waitress returned with a bottle of expensive wine, at Claire's request claire nodded approvingly as the waitress poured a class for each of them with the wine flowing freely, Robert couldn't help but wonder why Claire had invited them to her table.

"so, Claire," he began, "what maile you decide to invite us over?"

Claire took a sip of her wine, savoring the rich flavor before responding "Oh, why not?" she replied casually. "t have plenty of space at my table, and it's nice to have company especially familiar faces." Robes

d'help but noticed the glint in her eyes as she said that "Oh really? How ace of you,'

Claire leaned back in her chair, a mischievous glint inhereye. "Roben." she started. "couldn't help but wonder why you didn'teome to my birthday party. I'm sure I sent you an Invitation."

Robert's heart skipped a beat as listaggled to come up with a plausible excuse. Robert was having trouble thinking of a good reason, so his heart skipped a beat. Despite having gotten the invitation, he were feeling excluded from Claire's social network and didn't see a point attend.

Stammering slightly, Robert replied, "Uh, well, you see, my wife wasn't feeling well that day. I needed to take care of her." Claisealed an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to Guetta, who avoided malding eye contact. "Oh, she wasn't feeling well, huh?" claire repeated, herton laced with skepticism.

ceetta's anxiety mounted with each passing second, the weight of her start threatening to sulforate her. She prayed for time to move faster, desperate the imperating confrontation

Rabent acknowledged with a nod, clearly uncomfortable.

Frescape

"yes, she wasn't feeling well at all, his voice was steady, but the he was obvious to Claire. She could see right through thein.

Chapter 92 Dinner with the Robertson

Claire nodded in understanding, her lips forming a tight smile. "Of course. I hope she is feeling well

il now." Her gaze shifted to Gretta which she quickly looked away, not daring meet her eyes.

If only Robert knew the real truth about his wife and what she did that day, Claire is sure he would be surprised.

As their food arrived, the three of them ate in silence, each of them focusing on their food and deep in thoughts.

212

However, Claire had promise. If Gretta kept half of her deal and didn't get involved in Claire's life, she wouldn't reveal Gretta's secret.

As they were finishing their meal, Robert broke the silence. "Claire how is Cortex 20 coming along?" he asked, his tone casual.

Claire raised her eyebrows, surprised by his sudden interest.

"How is the progress?

"It's going well," Claire answered, giving him just enough information without revealing too much.

She wondered why he was aslong. Robert never showed much interest in the new software release. He brought it up only once, when he was left out from the meeting to select the team that will lead Cortex 20. He then hadn't bothered to ask again after that. Claire didn't mind because she was aware of his incompetence in handling his own job.

Robert nodded. "Good to hear that."

an to pay.

Claire reached for her purse to pay for the dinner, but Robert stopped her. "I will pay," he said. "It doesn't look right for a woman to Claire raised her eyebrows again, then smiled. "Are you sure about that?"

Robert smiled coolly. "It's fine," he said.

Claire stood up, still smiling. "Olay, if you say so. I'm going to leave now if that's okay with you."

Robert nodded. "Sure, Claire."

"Thank you for paying "Claire said as she tumed and left the

restaurant.

Gretta let out a breath of relief as Claire is out of sight. When Robert gestured for the waitress to bring the bill, she landed it to him.

His eyes widened as he opened the bill.

"What?"