Chapter 169 Taking credit
The next day, as Claire made her way to her office, she was swarmed with paparazzi and journalists. They called her name, asking if she was married to Alexander Harris and why she had kept quiet about the news. Claire, wearing her shades, walked quickly into her office, escorted by her bodyguard. Once inside, her employees turned their heads toward the front entrance, where journalists and paparazzi were still shouting Claire’s name.
Curious about the commotion, they watched intently. Claire stopped in the center of the room, pushed down her shades, and looked at her employees with cold, serious eyes.
“Stop staring and get back to work,” she ordered sternly.
Immediately, her employees returned to their tasks while Claire headed to the lift. As she pressed the button, the four employees inside the lift saw Claire and their eyes widened. They quickly stepped out, sensing their boss was not in a good mood. Claire stepped inside and pressed the floor button to her office.
When she arrived, she pushed her door open and settled at her desk. She checked the surveillance camera to see if the paparazzi and journalists were still there.
They were.
Claire gritted her teeth, feeling annoyed.
The first time she found out that someone had leaked her marriage to Alex, she had felt worried and panicked. This time, her feelings were almost the same, but what annoyed her the most was the persistent journalists who wouldn’t leave her alone.
In her silent office, the hum of her computer the only sound.
Suddenly, her office door burst open, causing her to look up, startled. Talia marched in, worry etched on her face.
Claire stood up quickly. “Talia, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Italy.”
Talia shook her head, her expression serious. “As soon as I saw the news about your marriage to Alex getting leaked, I came straight back to London.”
Claire tried to muster a reassuring smile. “I’m fine, really.”
But Talia wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure? This is a big deal.”
Talia then glanced at the screen and then back at Claire. “There are a lot of journalists and paparazzi outside the building. They’re waiting for you.” Claire sighed deeply. “I know. It’s been a nightmare.”
Talia huffed in annoyance. Without hesitation, she picked up Claire’s office phone and dialed the receptionist.
“This is Talia. Get rid of the paparazzi and journalists outside. They’re bothering Claire.”
The receptionist responded promptly. “Yes, ma’am. We’ll take care of it.”
Within minutes, the receptionist was at the entrance, directing the security and bodyguards to clear the area. Claire and Talia watched the scene unfold on the surveillance camera feed displayed on Claire’s computer. It took some time, but eventually, the paparazzi and journalists began to disperse.
Talia turned to Claire with a look that seemed to ask why she hadn’t done this earlier. Claire just rolled her eyes and took a seat at her desk. Talia sat across from her, curiosity and concern etched on her face.
“So, what are you going to do about the news involving you and Alex?” Talia asked, leaning forward slightly.
Claire sighed, rubbing her temples. “Alex wants to meet and discuss the whole situation, but I told him I’d think about it.”
Talia raised an eyebrow. “Do you think he really wants to talk it out, or is he trying to trick you?”
Claire shrugged. “I don’t know, but he sounded sincere. He seems like he genuinely wants to resolve this mess.”
Before they could continue, the office door swung open, and Sandra walked in with a look of urgency.
“Ms. Peterson, Metacortex’s stock is plummeting.”
Claire’s frown deepened as she quickly opened the stock exchange on her computer. True to Sandra’s words, the stock value was dropping.
“Shit! How can this happen?” Claire cursed under her breath, not having anticipated such a swift market reaction. “This is bad,” Claire muttered, her eyes fixed on
the screen.
Talia, sensing the shift in atmosphere, leaned forward, her brow furrowed with worry. “Is this because of the news about you and Alex?” she asked gently.
Claire sighed and nodded, her eyes still fixed on the screen. “It probably is,” she admitted.
It seems that the news involving Alex and Claire has finally affected Metacortex tock market in which Claire did not expect it.
Sandra stepped closer, her expression serious. “If we ignore this, the stock could plummet even more. What are we going to do, Ms. Peterson?”
Claire was silent for a moment, deep in thought. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on her shoulders. After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke. “I’ll contact Alex,” she said, her voice resolute. Talia glanced at Claire as raised her brows. “Are you sure?”
Claire stood
up
from he chair. She stood near the big window while staring down at the busy street of London.
“I have to. If Metacortex got affected, then Harris will also be affected, and our future project will be at stake. There are a lot that I’m risking whether I make a statement about this or not.”
In the corporate headquarters of Venus AMD, Frank leaned back in his leather chair, eyes glued to the large screen on the wall. The gossip channel blared the latest news, showing Claire being swarmed by journalists as she tried to enter the Metacortex building. The incessant flashing of cameras painted a chaotic scene. Frank’s grin widened into a full-blown smirk, satisfaction radiating from his every pore.
apter 109 Taking credit
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“This is just the beginning,” he muttered to himself, eyes gleaming with malice.
After a few more moments of relishing the sight, Frank turned his attention to his computer. A few quick keystrokes brought up the stock market dashboard. Metacortex’s stock was in freefall, the red numbers a stark contrast to the rest of the green-dotted landscape. Frank let out a deep, sinister laugh that echoed through his office.
“I’ve been waiting for this!” he bellowed, the words hanging in the air like a dark promise.
Feeling the need to share his triumph, Frank pressed a button on his intercom and summoned Robert to his office. As he waited, he lit up a cigar, the rich scent of tobacco mingling with the expensive cologne that always lingered around him.
A minute later, a knock at the door broke his reverie. “Come in,” Frank called out, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Robert entered, his expression a mix of curiosity and caution. “You wanted to see me, Frank?”
“Yes, Robert, have a seat,” Frank said, moving from behind his desk to the plush leather couch. He gestured to the matching couch opposite him.
Robert sat down, watching as Frank poured two glasses of scotch. He accepted his glass with a nod of thanks, taking a sip and savoring the smooth burn.
“So,” Frank began, his eyes narrowing slightly, “this whole mess with Claire. Is that your doing?”
Robert blinked, caught off guard. He had indeed sought the assistance of Eligos, a shadowy figure known for his underhanded tactics, to bring down Claire. But he hadn’t expected such immediate results.
Recovering quickly, he chuckled lightly, deciding to take the credit.
“It is,” Robert said proudly, taking another swig of his scotch.
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