New beginning: Billionaire love story

Lisa glared at Claire, her patience running thin. "Alright, enough chit-chat," she snapped, her voice clipped and no-nonsense. She turned on her heel and strode over to a nearby table. With a determined motion, she picked up a knife. Claire's face hardened into a mask of resolve. "Why? Getting bored of me already? May I remind you that you and I were friends until you stabbed my back by having an affair with my husband?"

Lisa scoffed. "Please, he is barely your husband. You guys did not marry out of love but request."

Claire thought furiously. Just a little more effort, and she could wriggle free of the ropes binding her.

"But don't worry, I will take care of Alexander, once you are gone." She eyed Lisa, who was now striding back toward her with that knife.

"Honestly, I don't care about Alexander. You can have him if you want." Claire said with disinterest.

"Of course, Claire Peterson always thinks that everyone likes you, huh?" Lisa's voice was mockingly sweet as she asked, "Got any last words, Claire? Or should I prepare a speech for your funeral?"

Claire smirked, the corners of her mouth curling with bitter satisfaction. "The only speech I want is at your funeral, Lisa."

Before Lisa could react, Claire lunged forward, her head slamming into Lisa's midsection. Lisa staggered but managed to stay on her feet. Seizing the moment, Claire shoved the chair she had been tied to into Lisa, who went sprawling backward.

In a whirlwind of fabric and flailing limbs, Claire wriggled out of the ropes. She took a quick glance at Lisa, who was struggling to get up, and grabbed the chair. With one swift push, she sent Lisa crashing to the floor. Claire wasn't about to let this chance slip away.

She stumbled towards the front door, her long dress and heels making each step a challenge. She could hear Lisa's angry shouts behind her, but she focused on escaping. Just as Claire reached the door, Lisa grabbed the hem of her dress. Claire pitched forward, catching herself with her hands, but she was down.

"Nice try, but not good enough!" Lisa's voice seethed with anger.

From the corner of her eye, Claire saw Lisa coming at her, knife in hand. With a quick roll to the side, she narrowly avoided the blade. Lisa was furious, her face red with rage as she lunged again, but Claire was already moving.

Claire's foot shot out, tripping Lisa, who fell with an ungraceful thud. Seizing the opportunity, Claire scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding. She shot Lisa a quick, triumphant glance and bolted for the door.

"Stop, Claire!" Lisa's scream pierced the night. Claire shot a desperate glance over her shoulder, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Her heels made running nearly impossible, each step a clumsy thud against the floor. "Damn these heels," Claire muttered, panting heavily. She could hear Lisa's voice, echoing with frustration and anger, screaming at her to stop.

Claire glanced over her shoulder, trying to keep Lisa's movements in view. The darkness made everything more confusing, and she could barely see where she was going. Her breath came in short, ragged bursts, and she stumbled, tripping over an unseen obstacle. She yelped as she fell, hands scraping against the floor. Before she could get up, Lisa was upon her, the knife gleaming in the dim light. Claire threw her arms up to block the blade, and Lisa's anger only grew fiercer.

They grappled, Claire's hands pushing the knife away from her face. Lisa's knife grazed Claire's cheek, drawing a thin line of red.

Lisa growled, putting all her strength into trying to break Claire's grip. "Stop fighting, Claire! Just give up!"

Claire, voice strained and desperate, shot back, "Never! I'm not going down without a fight!"

Suddenly, the blaring sound of a car horn pierced the chaos. Both women froze, their heads snapping towards the noise.

Claire seized the opportunity. With a swift, decisive kick, she aimed at Lisa's midsection. Lisa, however, was quick on her feet and dodged the blow. Claire was astonished at how sharp Lisa's reflexes were. When had she gotten so fast?

Lisa yanked at Claire's dress and

forced her to stagger back. The knife

was now dangerously close to

Claire's neck. Claire, her breath

coming in ragged gasps, tried

to.

steady herself. She saw Matthew and Alexander leap out of the car, their expressions a mix of alarm and determination.

"Lisa, drop the knife!" Alexander's voice cut through the chaos. His tone was firm, but there was a careful edge to it as if he was trying to defuse a bomb.

Matthew stepped forward, glaring at Lisa. "If you hurt Claire, I swear I'll make your life a living hell."

Lisa's laughter echoed, manic and wild. "My life is already a nightmare," she jeered. "Nothing you can do will make it worse."

Alexander and Matthew took a step closer, but Claire's voice, strained but clear, stopped them. "Stay back! Don't come any closer!"

Lisa's eyes darted between the men and Claire. "Listen to your precious friend. Either you hear her out, or I'll make sure Claire gets hurt." Alexander's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why are you doing this, Lisa?"

Lisa's face twisted with a mix of desperation and fury. "It's all because of Claire! Everything that's gone wrong, it's her fault!"

Alexander shook his head. "Claire hasn't done anything. She was just helping."

Lisa snapped, "Help? You didn't want to marry me! You didn't even look at me after that mess!"

Alexander's face hardened. "That's because you lied to me, Lisa. I'm not going to marry someone who can't be honest."

Claire, struggling to keep the knife at bay, gasped out, "Alexander, stop talking!"

Lisa pressed the knife closer, touching her skin. "Your dear, Claire's going to pay the price."

Alexander's voice was calm but firm. "Claire didn't do anything. This is all on you, Lisa. If only you were honest with me from the very beginning, this wouldn't happen. You only think about yourself."novelbin

Lisa's eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "You don't get it! I know I made a mistake but I'm ready to change to be a better person for you, but you never give me a chance, Alexander."

Alexander shook his head. "You never want to change Lisa. You always play dirty and if you really do want to change, you would have never hurt Abigail, heck, you would never have thought about jumping off Metacortex building and eventually harm Claire."

"Claire, Claire, Claire! Always Clarie

and never Lisa." Lisa gripped the

knife and tightened it as well as on Claire's hair. "You told me I was pathetic Claire but look who is actually pathetic." Lisa gestured to Alexander. "Doesn't matter how many times Claire rejected you, you are still hoping for her, Alex."

"The only thing that is...pathetic is you, Lisa. Attacking weaponless people," said Claire as she struggled to speak.

"You can now say goodbye to your friends, Claire. It's time for you to see heaven...or hell." Lisa said with a smirk.

Claire reacted fast as she stepped

on Lisa's foot with her sharp heels and slammed the back of her head to Lisa's The knife grazed her neck, but Claire managed to break free: Blood oozed from Lisa's nose and without thinking she lunged forward te Claire holding the knife; however, the impact never came.

"Claire!"