“I mean don’t you…you know…sometimes feel a little bit suspicious of your customer?” asked Matthew hesitating. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to appear casual. The man behind the counter narrowed his eyes at Matthew. “Why are you asking?” he replied.
Matthew shrugged, attempting to look nonchalant. “I’m just curious, I need to find someone.”
The man behind the counter raised an eyebrow. “We don’t have any suspicious customers here,” he said flatly. “If you’re looking for someone suspicious, this isn’t the place to find them.” Matthew frowned. “Can I at least see the surveillance camera footage?” he asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
The man shook his head firmly. “I can’t do that,” he said. “It’s against our policy.”
Matthew sighed, realizing he wasn’t going to get anywhere with this approach. “It’s really important,” he insisted. “I’m trying to help a friend.”
But the man’s answer remained the same. “Sorry, but I can’t help you.”
Defeated, Matthew turned and left the internet café, stepping out into the bright afternoon sun. He walked to his car, feeling the weight of frustration settling on his shoulders. As he sat in the driver’s seat, he took a moment to think.
Why had he even bothered with the legal route? He had other skills, skills that could get him the information he needed without having to rely on someone else’s cooperation.
Matthew laughed softly to himself. He had amazing hacking skills, after all. Why not use them? He reached into his bag and pulled out his laptop, setting it on his lap.
“Why did I thought of this earlier? Sometimes I could be stupid and smart at the same time.”
His fingers danced over the keyboard with practiced ease, and within minutes, he had hacked into the surveillance system of the internet café. A smile of satisfaction spread across his face as he gained access to the cameras.
He began to replay the footage from a few days ago, the day when Claire’s news had been posted on social media. As the video played, he scanned the faces of the customers, looking for any sign of the person he was searching for.
Matthew, in his car, was deeply engrossed in his task. His eyes flicked back and forth across the screen, his mind racing as he tried to piece together any clues. Hours slipped by, the video showing nothing more than people entering and leaving, just another uneventful day. Frustration gnawed at him as he realized he might be looking in the wrong place.
Sighing, Matthew closed the video. He cross the line through the first location.
“This place is not it then.” He muttered to himself disappointedly hopping that this place might be the one.
Matthew glanced out of the window, deep in thought. “Can this place be the wrong one?”
Back at Claire’s penthouse, Alex stood in front of her door. He knocked on the door. A moment later, Claire opened it, her eyes locking onto his. They stood in silence for a beat before Alex broke it. “So…can I come in?”
She cleared her throat and nodded. “Of course.” Claire stepped aside to let him enter.
She closed the door behind him and turned, offering a polite thank you for coming.
Alex gave a slight nod. “I’m glad you agreed to meet and discuss what’s been going on,” he said.
Claire led the way to the living room, her sandals shuffling softly on the polished floor. “Please, have a seat,” she said, gesturing to a plush sofa. They sat down just as a maid entered the room, offering them drinks. Claire glanced at Alex. “What would you like?” she asked.
“Tea, please,” Alex replied, and Claire echoed his choice to the maid. “Two teas, please. Thank you.”
“I will bring it right away, miss.” The maid disappeared into the kitchen.
An awkward silence settled between them.
Alex broke the silence first. “How have you been, Claire?”
“I’m fine,” she replied, her tone measured. “And you?”
“I’m managing,” Alex said. “How have you been handling the journalists?”
Claire sighed. “I ignore them as best as I can and call my bodyguard when they get too close. How about you, Alex?”
Alex chuckled. “Well, I once broke a paparazzi’s camera. It was annoying me. After that, they tend to keep their distance, though they still follow me.”
Claire smirked at his confession. “That’s good to hear.”
The maid returned with their tea, placing the delicate cups in front of them. They each took a sip, the warmth and aroma providing a brief comfort.
Alex placed his cup down and turned serious as he looked at Claire.
“It’s time to discuss the important matter,” he said.
Claire nodded, placing her cup on the coffee table. “How is Harris Company’s stock market?” she asked.
“It’s still on the red zone,” Alex replied, shaking his head. “It’s the same as the last time I saw it. How about Metacortex? I’m guessing it’s the same as Harris, am I right?”
Claire leaned back on the sofa. “It is,
however, it’s worse than Harris. The stock is quite lower, and I thought it would be. I knew the stock market would be affected, but I didn’t think it would be this bad just because of a leaked news about us.”
Alex sighed. “That’s how the business world is, harsh.”
“I can’t believe that a news about our marriage can affect us till this far.” She said in disbelief. Turning towards, Alex as she narrowed her eyes, she said. “You are not the one who leaked our marriage to social media, right?” Alex frowned. “Why would I do that in the first place, Claire?”
She shrugged. “Who knows just want attention.”
Rolling his eyes, Alex leaned back on the couch. “I don’t need attention. I am the attention.”
Claire scrunched her nose in disbelief and rolled her eyes. “As long as you really are not the one behind all of this mess. If I find you involve somehow, hold my word, you will regret it.”
“Trust me, Claire. I don’t have
anything to do with those posts. Instead, Lasked Christian to delete all the post related to us on social media or even on the internet. But you know how fast social media is right? People can easily save and share those post.”
She nodded. “Yes, I know. That’s why that news kept trending.”
“I guess people really are curious about us.” said Alex, however, Claire shook her head. “Not us, like you said, you. They are more curious about the Harris not me.”
Alex disagree. “No, I believe they are curious about us both knowing your company is one of the most successful technologies in the business world.”
Claire gave him a serious look. “How will we solve this problem?”
Alex thought for a moment, his eyes
scanning her living room. It looked cozy and homey, just like the mansion Claire had decorated when they were once married. He noticed the familiar warmth and attention to detail in the room, and it brought
back memories of their past.
He turned back to Claire, seeing the tiredness starting to show on her face. “I have a plan,” he said.
Claire raised her brows. “What kind of plan?”
“We should hold a press conference,” Alex said.
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