New beginning: Billionaire love story novel Chapter 473

The days leading up to the party were a whirlwind. Claire barely had time to think as she bounced between managing her business responsibilities and planning every detail of the Christmas party.

Adrian was by her side every step of the way, coordinating with vendors and making sure nothing slipped through the cracks. Sandra, ever-efficient and sharp, handled logistics and kept everything on track with her usual precision.

As the days grew shorter and the event drew closer, Claire’s anxiety simmered just beneath the surface. This wasn’t just a party; it was a statement. A declaration to the world that Claire Peterson was back, stronger than ever.

But no matter how composed she appeared on the outside, doubt occasionally crept in, gnawing at the edges of her confidence.

The sun had barely set when Claire stood in her penthouse, surrounded by racks of dresses, trays of jewelry, and boxes of shoes. The soft lighting cast a warm glow over the room, though the tension in the air made it feel almost stifling. Talia, her best friend, sat cross-legged on the couch, sipping from a glass of champagne as she surveyed the chaos with a smirk.

“Claire, you’re going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that,” Talia teased, setting down her glass.

Claire paused mid-step and let out a long sigh. “I can’t help it, Talia. I haven’t done something like this in years.”

Talia stood and walked over, placing her hands on Claire’s shoulders. “Hey, look at me.”

Claire met her gaze, her eyes filled with uncertainty.

“You’re going to be amazing. You’ve done this before. And you’re not alone — Adrian, Sandra, and I all have your back.”

Claire’s lips twitched into a small smile. “I know. I just… I want everything to be perfect.”

“It will be.” Talia gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Now, let’s get you ready to knock their socks off.”

Claire nodded, taking a deep breath. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

Claire had hired a makeup artist and hairstylist to streamline the process, and they were already set up by the vanity. The artist, a poised woman named Mia, smiled warmly as Claire sat down. “We’ll take good care of you, don’t worry.”

As Mia and the hairstylist began their work, Talia took on the role of stylist, sorting through the sea of dresses. “Okay, we need something that says power, elegance, and just a hint of ‘I dare you to underestimate me.’”

Claire chuckled despite her nerves. “Is that even a category of fashion?”

“With you, it should be.” Talia grinned, holding up a sleek, midnight-blue gown with intricate silver embroidery. “What do you think of this one?”

Claire’s eyes widened slightly. “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s more than beautiful — it’s you.” Talia hung the dress up and stepped back. “It’ll hug you in all the right places, and the silver accents will catch the light perfectly.”

Mia chimed in, glancing at the dress. “I can do a smoky eye with a touch of silver shimmer to match. It’ll give you that fierce but refined look.”

Claire took another deep breath. “Let’s do it.”

As the hairstylist curled her hair into soft waves, Claire allowed herself to relax slightly. The familiar routine of getting ready for a high-profile event anchored her. The motions were second nature, and for a brief moment, she felt like her old self — the one who faced any challenge with unwavering confidence.

As Mia applied the finishing touches to her makeup, Claire’s gaze drifted to her reflection. The woman staring back at her looked poised and flawless, every detail meticulously perfected. Yet, beneath the veneer of confidence, doubt flickered.

What if this doesn’t go well? What if they see through me? What if I fail?

Talia, as if reading her mind, placed a hand on Claire’s shoulder. “You’re overthinking again.”

Claire let out a shaky laugh. “How do you always know?”

“Because you’ve always been this way,” Talia said softly. “But let me tell you something. The Claire Peterson I know never lets fear win. You’ve faced worse than this, and you’ve come out stronger every time.”