New beginning: Billionaire love story

Lisa's wrist throbbed slightly from where the security guard had held it, but she shook it off, glaring up at Claire. Claire turned to the security guard, her voice cool and authoritative. "I'll handle this myself," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The guard hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding obediently. After all, who was going to argue with the boss? He backed off, and Claire turned to Lisa, giving her a once-over that made Lisa feel like a piece of lint on an otherwise spotless suit. "Follow me," Claire instructed.

Lisa wanted to retort, maybe throw out a snarky comment, but something about Claire's coldness made her hesitate. Instead, she just frowned and trailed behind, her emotions a mix of anger and embarrassment. How had things gotten so twisted between them?

Lisa couldn't help but notice the curious glances from the employees. They tried to be discreet, but everyone was clearly wondering what the commotion was about. Claire caught their looks and, with a sharp lift of her brows, said loudly, "Nothing to see here. Get back to work."

The employees snapped back to attention, hastily turning away as if the very sight of Claire would get them into trouble. Lisa couldn't help but feel a little more embarrassed; Claire was just so... authoritative.

It was like she had a magic power over everyone here. The two women reached the elevator, and Claire pressed the button for her floor. The doors closed with a soft hum, and suddenly, the silence in the small space was deafening.

Lisa shifted uncomfortably, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. For the first time in a long while, she felt small. Claire had never made her feel this way before, but now, standing beside her in this confined space, she felt like she was shrinking. Back in the day, Lisa was the one who felt superior, who could command the room with just a look. But now... Claire had the upper hand, and it was like she knew it too.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open, revealing the sleek, polished floor of the executive level. Claire stepped out, her heels clicking confidently on the tile, and Lisa followed, trying to regain some of her composure. As they walked past the desks, Sandra, Claire's efficient assistant, stood up from her chair.

"The team is ready for the meeting, Ms. Peterson," Sandra informed her, her eyes flicking briefly to Lisa, clearly curious about the hoodie-wearing woman trailing behind Claire.

"Proceed without me," Claire responded with a nod. "I've got something to take care of." Sandra nodded, not daring to question her boss's decision, though her gaze lingered on Lisa for a moment longer.

"And Sandra," Claire added as an afterthought, "make sure to take notes on all the updates with Cortex 2.0."

"Of course," Sandra replied, quickly jotting something down before returning to her work.

Claire walked to her desk and sat down in the high-backed chair that seemed almost like a throne in the middle of the room. Lisa felt her gaze on her, and suddenly, it was like all the air had been sucked out of the room. Claire's aura was so powerful, so commanding, that it made Lisa feel like she was about to be judged in some kind of trial.

"You created a scene," Claire said coldly, her eyes boring into Lisa's. "I don't appreciate that."

Lisa's anger flared up again, replacing the nervousness she had been feeling just moments before. She stepped up to the desk, standing defiantly in front of Claire. "I wouldn't have had to cause a scene if you weren't so impossible to get in touch with!"

Claire raised one perfectly sculpted

eyebrow, her expression cool and unbothered. "And why, exactly, were you trying to contact me?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Were you planning to apologize? Or perhaps say thank you for bailing you out?"

Lisa's jaw clenched. She knew Claire was baiting her, but it still made her blood boil. "The news, Claire! You know exactly what I'm talking about!" she snapped, her hands balling into fists at her sides.

Claire leaned back in her chair, a smirk playing on her lips. "Ah, yes. The news," she said, as if she had just remembered something trivial. "Did you read it already?"

Lisa slammed her hands down on the desk, leaning in close enough that she could see the cool detachment in Claire's eyes. "You crossed a line, Claire! You had no right to label me as a 'depressed crazy woman' in the media!"

Claire actually laughed at that, a short, mocking sound that grated on Lisa's nerves. "It does sound different when the person in question says it, doesn't it?"

Lisa's face turned red with anger and humiliation. This was just like Claire, always finding a way to twist the knife deeper. She banged her fist on the table, but Claire didn't even flinch. It was like she had expected it.

Claire leaned forward slightly, her expression turning serious as she locked eyes with Lisa. "So, what are you going to do next?" she asked, her voice taking on a cold, almost threatening edge. "Kill me?"

Lisa's eyes widened in shock, and she took a step back, her mind racing. "W-What? Where did you get that idea?" she stammered.

Lisa tried not to feel too self-conscious as she walked through the office. She couldn't help but notice how everyone seemed to be watching her, even if they weren't looking directly at her. It was like being under a microscope.

Claire finally pushed open the door

to her office and stepped inside, the sleek, minimalist design

е

immediately catching Lisa's eye. Everything was so elegant, so perfectly put together, yet it was all so simple. Lisa had expected something more extravagant maybe even a bit gaudy, considering the way Claire carried herself. If it were her office, Lisa would have gone all out with decorations, just to show off a little. But Claire? Claire didn't need to show off; her very presence did that for her.

Claire shrugged, getting up from her chair and slowly walking around the desk toward Lisa. "Well, you did try it twice before," she said casually. "I wouldn't be surprised if you attempted it again. After all they say third time's a charm."

Lisa could feel her anger boiling

over, but she forced herself to stay calm. Losing her temper wouldn't help her now. She took a deep

with as much strength as she could muster. "I'm not here to fight with you,

breath, meeting Claire's gaze net

Claire," she said.

"I'm here to ask you to remove that label and that blurry picture of me from the news. I can't have people in my office finding out about it."

"And why should I do that?" she asked finally, crossing her arms as she leaned against the desk.

"Because it's the right thing to do," Lisa replied, her frustration starting to seep into her voice again. "You can't just ruin someone's reputation like that!"

"Oh, the horror! Lisa Thompson's pristine image tarnished? Whatever shall I do?" Claire sarcastically said then her face turned serious. Any trace of playfulness has gone.

"I should be the one who said that. You...leaked my marriage with Alex on the internet and because of your little game, I held a press conference to clarify it. Do you know how it affects my company?" Claire raised her brows waiting for Lisa to answer.