New beginning: Billionaire love story

convinced it was you."

Adrian ran a hand through his hair, visibly frustrated as he tried to piece it together. "I was at a banquet that night. Everything was normal until I saw this woman. She looked... exactly like you-same hair, same dress style, even the way she talked. For a second, I was Claire raised an eyebrow. "So, you just walked up and kissed her?"

"I know it sounds insane," Adrian said, holding up his hands defensively. "At first, I was suspicious. But I don't know-something just felt... off. It's like my brain wasn't working right. One second, I was questioning it, and the next, I was kissing her. I can't explain it." Claire leaned back, her eyes narrowing in thought. "And why would you see me in a random woman? That doesn't make any sense."

"I have no idea," Adrian admitted, his frustration evident. "It's like my vision was playing tricks on me."

Claire's gears were turning now. "Did you have anything to drink that night?"

Adrian nodded. "Yeah, but nothing unusual. Just a couple of cocktails, maybe some wine. Why?"

Claire's expression darkened as a possible explanation formed in her mind. "What if one of those drinks was spiked? It would explain why your judgment was so messed up."

Adrian frowned. "Spiked? Who would do that? Everyone at the banquet seemed normal to me."

Claire's lips pursed as a name surfaced in her mind-Cindy Marshall. Her suspicions sharpened like a knife. "Did you meet anyone there named Cindy? Cindy Marshall?"

Adrian's brow furrowed in thought. "Cindy... Cindy... I think I met someone named Cindy, but I don't remember her last name. Why?"

"That's all I needed to know," Claire muttered, her tone colder now. She didn't elaborate, but her mind was already connecting the dots. Cindy had been used before, and this had her manipulative fingerprints all over it.

Adrian looked at her curiously. "Claire, what are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking I know exactly who's behind this," Claire said, standing abruptly. "And believe me, they're going to regret it."

"Wait," Adrian said, grabbing her hand gently. "Before you go into battle mode, can we just... take a minute?"

Claire looked down at him, her expression softening slightly. "Fine. But only a minute."

Adrian pulled her back down onto the couch, holding her gaze. "I know this whole thing is a mess, and I hate that it's put you through so much. But I want you to know-I would never do anything to hurt you. Whatever happened that night, it wasn't me." Claire sighed, her resolve softening a little. "I believe you, Adrian. And I know you wouldn't hurt me. But whoever set this up? They knew exactly what they were doing, and I can't let them get away with it."

Adrian gave her a small, grateful smile. "Then let's figure it out together."

Claire nodded, determination hardening her features once more. "Oh, we will. But first, I need to make a call."

She pulled out her phone and dialed Matthew. It barely rang once before his familiar, slightly raspy voice answered. "What's up, boss?"

"Matthew, I think I've figured out what happened with Adrian," Claire said, diving straight into it.

"Yeah? What's the deal?" Matthew asked, the sound of keys clicking in the background suggesting he was already multitasking.

Claire exhaled sharply, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Cindy. I think she's the one who spiked Adrian's drink. It makes too much sense-the timing, the circumstances. She's the only one who benefits from this mess." Matthew let out a low whistle, his disbelief tinged with amusement. "Man, that woman is a whole circus, not just a clown. All right, you want me to find her?"

"You're reading my mind," Claire said with a faint grin. "Track her down, and let me know where she is."

Matthew's tone turned playful. "Roger that. Give me a few minutes."

"Thanks, Matthew." Claire ended the call and turned to Adrian. His arms were crossed, and the look on his face told her he wasn't thrilled with her next move.

"I'm coming with you," Adrian said, standing tall and defiant. "I want to know exactly who did this."

Claire bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. She took a step closer, tilting her head as she looked up at him. "Adrian, trust me. You don't want to be there. This is going to be a catfight, not a cat-and-dog fight." Adrian opened his mouth to protest, but Claire cut him off, her tone firm but affectionate. "I'll handle it. You're better off staying here and not getting dragged into the mess she's going to cause."

He narrowed his eyes, his stance unyielding for a moment before he sighed in defeat. "Fine. But only if you promise to go to dinner with me after this."

Claire chuckled, leaning up to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "Deal. I'll tell you everything after I've dealt with her."

Adrian watched her with a mix of concern and admiration as she grabbed her coat and headed for the door. "Be careful, Claire."

"I always am," she replied with a confident wink before slipping out.

Claire climbed into the backseat of her car, her mind already racing through the confrontation ahead. Her phone buzzed, and she quickly glanced at the message from Matthew. "She's at the shopping mall. Here's the location."

"Take me to the shopping mall,"

Claire

smoother driver. The carnoveldrama

smoothly pulled into traffic, and Claire leaned back, mentally preparing herself. Cindy wasn't just reckless; she was unpredictable, and that made her dangerous in her own peculiar way.

The mall was bustling when Claire arrived. Bright lights reflected off shiny floors, and the hum of

shoppers filled the air. Claire's phone buzzed again with another update from Matthew: "She's near the high-end boutiques, third floor."

Perfect, Claire thought, stepping out of the car and striding into the mall with a determined air. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor, announcing her presence to anyone who dared to look her way.

She spotted Gindy near a luxury

handbag store, holding a ridiculous-looking scarf and chatting animatedly with a sales associate Cindy looked polished, as always, but there was an air of smugness about her that made Claire's blood boil.

Taking a deep breath, Claire approached her. "Cindy," she called out, her voice calm but firm.

Cindy turned, her face lighting up with faux surprise. "Claire! Fancy seeing you here. Shopping, too?"

Claire folded her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Cut the small talk, Cindy. We need to talk."

Cindy's smile faltered, replaced by a defensive edge. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, her tone laced with innocence that Claire wasn't buying.

"Oh, I think you do," Claire replied, stepping closer. Her voice lowered, sharp and cutting. "You drugged Adrian, didn't you? Spiked his drink to create that little scene."

Cindy's eyes widened for a split second before she recovered, her expression morphing into one of mock outrage. "I don't know what you're insinuating, but that's absurd. Why would I do something like that?" "Because you're desperate," Claire shot back without missing a beat. "Tell me who sent you?"