New beginning: Billionaire love story

Alexander's jaw was clenched as he watched the security team close in on Andre, who was stumbling around, feigning drunkenness. He had no patience for this. The night was supposed to be a momentous occasion the grand opening of his new hotel in Las Vegas. Instead, it had turned into a disaster.

His secretary whispered something into his ear, but Alexander barely registered it. His eyes were locked on Claire, who was walking toward Andre with purposeful strides. The way her hands curled into fists at her sides told him everything-she was furious.

The moment Claire reached Andre, she grabbed his collar and yanked him toward her. "You think this is funny?" she hissed, her voice low but sharp enough to make Andre wince.

"Whoa, easy there," Andre slurred, swaying on his feet. His eyes were bloodshot, but Claire wasn't sure if it was from alcohol or just an act.

"Don't play dumb with me," she snapped, tightening her grip. "You ruined this night. Do you have any idea how hard we worked for this?"

Andre let out a lazy chuckle. "C'mon, sis, don't be so dramatic. Accidents happen, right?"

Claire's nostrils flared. "You think this was an accident?" she shot back. "You were told not to pull anything, yet here you are, making a scene and embarrassing me in front of everyone. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Andre's fake drunken expression faltered for just a second, but it was enough for Claire to catch. She narrowed her eyes.

"You're not drunk," she stated coldly.

Andre blinked. "Wha-"

"You're pretending," she continued, her voice lowering dangerously. "And I want to know why."

Before Andre could respond, Alexander placed a firm hand on Claire's shoulder, gently pulling her back. "Let security handle this," he murmured.

Claire took a deep breath, trying to calm the raging storm inside her. But her glare stayed fixed on Andre. Alexander motioned to his head of security. "Take him somewhere private. I want answers. Now."

The guards nodded and firmly grabbed Andre's arms, dragging him away. Andre put up a weak struggle, still playing the drunk act. "Hey, hey! I didn't do anything! I just had a little too much to drink!"

"Save it," Alexander said coolly. "We'll talk when you're sober."

As Andre was led away, Claire crossed her arms and turned to Alexander. "I want to be there when you question him."

Alexander studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But after that, you're telling

me everything about who this guy really is."

Claire exhaled heavily. "Fine."

Eligos leaned back in the leather seat of his car, his fingers lightly swirling the champagne in his glass. He watched the city lights blur past through the tinted window, a self-satisfied smirk curving his lips. Tonight had been a masterpiece.

He replayed the moment in his head-Claire's frustration, the destruction, the scandal that would soon spread across media platforms. He had given Andre one simple order: cause chaos. He had left it up to the idiot to decide how, and honestly, Andre had exceeded expectations.

Acting drunk? That was an amusing touch.

Eligos chuckled to himself as he checked his phone. He had already received a message from one of his inside sources.

"Security is looking for Andre. He's trapped inside the venue."

Eligos smirked.

"Let's see how he handles this mess on his own," he mused. He had done his part. Andre was expendable if he got caught, well, that was just another problem Claire would have to clean up. For now, he was just going to sit back and enjoy the fallout.

Meanwhile back in the hotel, Andre's heart was pounding against his ribcage. He needed to get out. "Fuck Eligos. Ordering me around but not helping me with the aftermath." He muttered to himself.

He had played his part well-pretending to be drunk, slurring his words, stumbling around like a fool. But now that the security had their eyes on him, things were taking a turn for the worse.

Two men in black suits approached him, their expressions serious.

"Mr. Harris wants to see you," one of them said, reaching for Andre's arm.

Andre jerked away, swaying slightly on his feet as he slurred, "Whaaat? I-I don't even know a Harris, man..." He hiccupped for effect. "I'm just here for the booze..."

The guards exchanged looks. One of them, clearly unimpressed, muttered, "We don't have time for this." The second guard grabbed Andre's arm forcefully.

Panic surged through him.

"I-I swear, I didn't do nothin'!" Andre protested, stumbling forward as they began escorting him toward the private lounge. "C'mon, man, lemme go! I-I'm a paying guest!"

"You're a problem," one of the guards muttered.

Andre's mind was racing. He needed an escape plan.

As they neared the hallway leading

to the VIP area, Andre made his move. He suddenly dropped his weight, going limp like a ragdoll. The unexpected action made one of the guards lose his balance, and in that split second, Andre twisted free and bolted.

"Hey!"

"Stop him!"

Andre sprinted down the hall, weaving through the staff-only corridors. He had no idea where he was going, but he knewhe needed to get out.

Bursting through a side door, he found himself in the service area, where a few hotel staff members were taking a break.

One of them, startled, looked up. "Hey, you can't be "

"Sorry, man-wrong turn!" Andre blurted before shoving past and darting toward the emergency exit.

His fingers barely touched the door handle when-

"Gotcha."

A strong arm locked around his shoulder, yanking him back.

Andre struggled, cursing under his breath. "Let me go, you-"

He turned and found himself face-to-face with Claire.

His heart sank.

Her blue eyes were burning with fury, her grip on his arm like iron.

"Going somewhere, Andre?" Her voice was eerily calm, which somehow made it even more terrifying. Andre swallowed hard.

"Claire, listen, I—"

"Save it." Claire's voice was sharp. "You ruined tonight. And now, you're going to tell me exactly who put you up to this."

Andre opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Because in that moment, he

yel

knew—if he told the truth, if he revealed that Eligos was the mastermind—he wouldn't just be dealing with Claire's wrath

He'd be dealing with something far worse.

Back in London, Frank Potter scrolled through his phone, seething.

How dare Alexander and Claire move forward without him?

His fingers tapped against the screen as he skimmed through articles about the hotel launch.

His eyes narrowed as he saw the headline:

"Disaster Strikes at Harris Hotel Opening Night!"

Frank's lips curled into a smirk.

"Oh? What's this?" he muttered, clicking on the article.

As he scrofted through thenoveldrama

images-photos of Claire, Alexander, the luxurious interior of the hotel-he came across something far more interesting.

A blurry image of a chaotic moment. A fire. Staff running.

And in the background-

A man, stumbling drunkenly.

Frank zoomed in.

His smirk grew wider.

"Well, well, well... who the hell are you?"

He didn't recognize the man, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that this was an opportunity.

And Frank Potter never let opportunities go to waste.