New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 25 Liar

Claire sat at her favorite breakfast spot, a cozy little café that served the best double choco bread she had ever tasted. The place might have been small compared to the bustling coffee shops around town, but for Claire, it's comforting ambiance made it a haven. As she savored her hot chocolate, lost in her own thoughts, Claire was suddenly jolted out of her reverie by the unexpected presence of Alex. Her ex-husband, whom she had deliberately kept at arm's length, stood before her. "Claire,"

Alex had managed to track her down, a fact that surprised Claire. Claire didn't thought Alex could actually use his brain considering his dumb choices in life.

time and invited himself to sit in the empty chair a Alex didn't waste any expression unreadable as she continued to sip her hot chocolate.

across from Claire. She watched his every move,

her

With a hard and cold expression, Alex stared back at Claire. The tension between them was palpable, each one silently daring the other to make the first move.

For a tense moment, neither of them spoke, their eyes locked in a silent battle. It was as if they could both envision poisoning each other's drinks, such was the depth of their mutual disdain. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Alex finally spoke. "It wasn't easy finding you

frustration.

"he remarked, his tone tinged with

Alex bristled at Claire's nonchalant response. "I called you, emailed you and even went to the mansion to find you there. I had to hire a private investigator to track you down." he explained. but you are

you are never

Claire raised a cool eyebrow, unimpressed by Alex's comment, She didn't care about the hurdles he had faced. "Alex." Claire greeted him coolly. "What did I say to never seeing you again?"

"I didn't know you missed me that much. You should stop doing it or else Lisa will feel jealous." she said simply, not giving anything

away.

The atmosphere between them was tense, each moment stretching with unspoken hatred. Claire's eyes flickered with a hint of disdain, mirroring the intensity in Alex's gaze, "We need to talk Claire."

"Aren't we talking right now?"

Alex scoffed in disbelief from across the table. "Are you always this difficult to deal with?"

Claire cut straight to the point; her eyes fixed on Alex. "Let's just get to the point. I have lost my appetite to eat this delicious bread. What's your purpose for being here?" she asked, her voice tinged with a no-nonsense attitude.

Alex, drumming his fingers on the table, scoffed at Claire's demeanor. He could see her "I don't give a damn" attitude, and it irked him. Meeting her gaze squarely, he asked the question that had been nagging at him.

"Did you leak the news about our divorce to the media?"

Claire's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What? No, I didn't. Why would I do that anyway?" she replied, genuine confusion in her voice. Alex's expression hardened as he stared at Claire, his disbelief palpable. "Don't play dumb, Claire. I know how cunning you can be." Claire's initial shock turned into annoyance. "I am not playing anything I have no idea what you're talking about."

With a determined gesture, Alex pulled out his phone and tapped on a news article. Sliding the phone across the table to Claire, he said, "Take a look at this."

Claire picked up the phone and read the headline about their divorce. Her brows furrowed as she scanned the article, absorbing the details. After a moment, she set the phone down and looked back at Alex.

"I swear, I did not do this," she insisted.

Alex shook his head in frustration. "Claire, come on. Just be honest with me for once."

Claire's tone remained firm. "I am being honest, Why would I do something like that? Do you think I have time for stupid shit like that?"

Alex paused, considering her words. He knew Claire was cunning and manipulative, always calculating her moves "It could benefit

you in some way," he pointed out.

Claire's eyes narrowed. "How? What would I gain from this?"

Alex hesitated, his mind racing with suspicions. "Maybe you want to control the narrative. Or maybe there's something else going on that I don't know about. I mean you are a manipulative woman; you will use every trick on your sleeve to benefit yourself." Claire's patience wore thin as she felt unfairly accused, "I have nothing to gain from this, Alex. Believe me or not, it's the truth."

Alex leaned back in his chair; frustration evident in his posture.

Claire sighed, feeling exasperated. "I don't care if you believe me or not."

As Claire made a move to leave, Alex's voice stopped her in her tracks. "What about Lisa?"

"What about her?"

"She told me what you did to her at the store."

As Alex mentioned Lisa, Claire's lips curved into a knowing smile. She knows how cunning Lisa can be. She just never realized it before due to her amnesia that changed Claire personality into a different person.

"Oh, so Lisa decided to tell you. Which version she did tell you? Me being the bitch or me being the evil witch?"

Alex frowned. "What are you talking about Claire?"

Claire leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms confidently. "Oh, come one, you know how Lisa is. She'll spin a tale where she's the victim, painting herself in the best light while conveniently leaving out her own misdeeds." Alex eyes burning in ager as Claire accused Lisa of being a liar.

"Don't you dare say that about her. She clearly told me how you treated her. She went to the store to buy a bag not to fight with you, Claire."

"And I am nice to Lisa because I want her to be my friend not a husband stealer." Claire stated sarcastically, which made the air around them tense.

Alex's gaze hardened slightly. "Claire, I mean it. Stop messing with Lisa"

Claire's smirk grew, a hint of challenge in her eyes.

"And what are you going to do about it Alex? Punish me? Oh right, you can't because we are no longer in a relationship." Her tone was Jared with defiance.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Clearly Alex is unused to seeing this bold side of Claire. He had always known Claire for being soft, fragile, and forgiving but now seeing Claire act like this still feel unusual for Alex

"I mean every word I said, Claire You mess with Lisa, you will regret it."

Claire's smile turned into a mischievous grin. "Oh, don't worry, Alex. I'm just putting Lisa in her place."

Claire stood up from her seat and leaned towards Alex's ear, her voice barely above whisper "And a little reminder of who's in charge."

Goosebumps ran through his skin as Claire uttered those words, leaving Alex to ponder her words.

As she walked away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction but also anger.

Alex watched Claire leave the café, His eyes follow her every move until the car she climb to disappear from his sight. He couldn't help but wonder where this bold side of Claire had been hiding all along