New beginning: Billionaire love story

Claire maintained her poised demeanor, the corners of her lips lifting in a polite, camera-ready smile as she acknowledged the guests who stopped by to compliment the hotel. Alexander stood beside her, ever the charismatic host, shaking hands and engaging in effortless conversation. His charming smile had its usual effect, leaving some of the guests momentarily dazzled.

"You've truly outdone yourself, Alexander," one of the guests praised, lifting a glass of champagne in appreciation. "And I must say, you made a wise decision choosing Claire Peterson as your partner. The execution of this concept is remarkable."

Alexander accepted the compliment with a smooth nod. "Well, Claire's expertise speaks for itself. We both wanted something different from the usual luxury experience, and I believe we've achieved that." "Indeed!" another guest chimed in. "A smart hotel that doesn't feel cold or too futuristic-it's welcoming, elegant, and sophisticated. Brilliant!"

Claire chuckled softly as she sipped her champagne, playing her part in the conversation while suppressing the urge to roll her eyes at Alexander's effortless charm. The moment the guests stepped away, she leaned slightly toward him, her voice low but her expression still fixed in an impeccable social smile.

"How long do I have to keep this up?" she murmured.

Alexander arched a brow in amusement, though he didn't let it show too obviously. "As long as it takes," he responded smoothly.

Claire sighed dramatically but composed herself as another group approached. She continued engaging with the guests before finally excusing herself to go to the bathroom. The moment she stepped away from the main area, she relished the brief solitude. However, before she could make her way to the restroom, something unusual caught her attention. A large crowd had formed near the other side of the room, murmurs and whispers filling the space.

Curiosity piqued, Claire hesitated, her brows knitting together in confusion. The event had just begun- what could possibly be causing such a stir?

As she took a step toward the gathering, a hand lightly brushed against her elbow, stopping her mid-step. A voice followed.

"Ms. Peterson, I have no idea you have a relative. He has quite the humor I say." The guest says with a bright smile seemingly oblivious with the situation.

Claire stiffened.

Her heart pounded against her ribs as an uneasy sensation crept up her spine. No. No, this couldn't be happening. She turned her head slightly, her breath hitching as she followed the voice to its source. Andre.

Her stomach twisted, and her blood ran cold. How? How did he get in here? More importantly, why was he here? The tight security should have prevented this. Just like at the banquet... was this some kind of sick game he was playing? Showing up uninvited, forcing himself into her world, again and again? Before she could react, before she could make sense of the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind, Andre's gaze met hers. And then, he smiled.

"Claire!" he called out, his voice smooth and warm, as if they were long-lost siblings happily reunited. The guests, intrigued by his sudden acknowledgment, turned their attention toward her.

Claire felt paralyzed, her body refusing to move as the weight of the gazes pressed down on her. She forced a neutral expression, masking the sheer panic rising within her. She couldn't afford to make a scene. Not here. Not in front of all these people.

"Andre," she said finally, her voice controlled and even, though she could feel the tension beneath the surface.

Andre walked towards her with confidence, holding a glass of champagne in one hand. He looked like he belonged here dressed sharply, his demeanor effortlessly charming. It infuriated her how easily he adapted to these settings, slipping into roles that weren't his.

"It's been a while," he said, stopping just a few steps away from her. "You didn't tell me you were throwing such a grand event. I had to find out on my own."

Claire clenched her jaw. "Because you weren't invited."

Andre chuckled, unbothered by her cold reception. "Well, you know me. I don't wait for invitations."

The guests murmured amongst themselves, fascinated by the unexpected interaction. Some exchanged curious glances, clearly wondering about their connection.

Alexander, who had been observing from a distance, finally stepped forward, his presence grounding Claire. His sharp eyes flickered between her and Andre before he extended a hand. "Alexander Harris. And you are?"

Andre took his hand and shook it firmly, smiling. "Andre. Claire's... relative."

Claire saw the flicker of interest in Alexander's expression. "Relative?" he echoed, his tone neutral yet subtly laced with curiosity.noveldrama

Andre smirked slightly. "Yes, though we haven't had the chance to catch up properly, have we, Claire?" He turned to her, as if expecting her to elaborate.

Claire wanted to wipe that smug expression off his face. But she maintained her composure. "No, we haven't."

Alexander studied the tension between them before finally releasing his grip on Andre's hand. "Well, it seems like this is a family matter. I'll give you two some space."

He stepped away, though his

watchful gaze lingered on them. The guests slowly lost interest, returning to their conversations and drinks, though some still stole glances, eager for more drama.

Claire exhaled slowly and turned to Andre, her voice a sharp whisper. "What the hell are you doing here?" Andre took a leisurely sip of his champagne before responding. "Relax. I'm just here to celebrate your

success."

Claire narrowed her eyes. "Bullshit. Who let you in?"

"Oh, come on, Claire. You should know by now that I have my ways."

She gritted her teeth. "You need to leave. Now."

Andre tilted his head, feigning disappointment. "Why? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me? Or is there something you don't want your dear business partners to know?"

Claire's patience was thinning. "I don't have time for your games, Andre. Whatever you're trying to pull, I won't let you."

Andre leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "You think you have control over everything, don't you? But things don't always go your way, Claire. You should know that by now."

Claire inhaled sharply, forcing

herself to remain calm. She refused

to let him rattle her, not in front of all these people. "If you don't leave, I'll make sure security drags you out."

Andre simply grinned, taking another sip of his drink. "Try me."

Claire clenched her fists. She was about to call security when a familiar voice interrupted. "Is everything alright here?"

It was Alexander. His presence

beside her was a relief, though she would never admit it. He wasn't just asking for the sake of courtesy-he had seen enough to know something was off.

Andre flashed a charming smile. "Of course. Just catching up with family. Isn't that right, Claire?" Claire forced a tight-lipped smile. "Yes. Just catching up."

Alexander didn't look convinced, but he nodded nonetheless. "Good. Because I wouldn't want anything to ruin this night."

Andre held up his hands in mock surrender. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Claire shot him a warning look before turning away. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

And something told her that Andre's presence tonight was only the beginning of something much worse.