New beginning: Billionaire love story novel Chapter 435

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 convinced it was you.”

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.”