Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Previously, Claire had to unload nearly all her assets to patch up the financial

mess at Eldridge Entertainment. This included her beloved estate, The Manor. In her haste, she ended up getting shortchanged. To her surprise, The Manor ended up in Connor's hands.

Claire asked, "And what about Paradise Island? Did you snag that too?"

Paradise Island had been another one of Claire's prized possessions. With no other options, she'd sold it for a fraction of its worth. The buyer went through a middleman, and now she was beginning to suspect Connor was behind it.

Connor replied honestly, "No, that wasn't me."

Claire found it odd. If it wasn't him, then who? But she didn't dwell on it for long. What she lost, she'd find a way to reclaim. Bankruptcy? Not a chance. She wouldn't go down that easily.

Claire shot him a defiant look. "Connor, you've made things tough for me, and I'll make sure you don't have it easy either. You're getting hitched soon, right? I've got a surprise lined up for you."

Connor's expression turned stormy. "What are you up to?"

"Oh, I won't let you live happily ever after," Claire smirked. "As long as I'm around, you won't get your way."

Connor's face grew colder. "Why? Why this hatred? What burden do I carry? Tell me."

Claire's face hardened. "You shouldn't even exist, let alone live so well. Your genes are the vilest and most repulsive. Just seeing you makes me sick."

"Aren't my genes the same as yours?" Connor nearly shouted.

Claire locked eyes with Connor, momentarily stunned.

Connor smirked, "We've got the same parents, the same blood, right?"

He stepped towards Claire. She backed away. "I'm nothing like you. We're nothing alike."

Connor chuckled. "Oh, really?

Weren't you

the first to hold me

when I was born? Don't you think we look alike? I've got the same blood running through my veins. My skin, my features-they're just like yours. Take a good look. Don't I look just like you?"

Claire stared at Connor's face, as if hit by a harsh truth. For years, she never allowed herself to really look at him. Omaybe she just blocked it out of her mind. When she looked at him, it was like staring at someone wearing a devil's mask-not Connor.

She'd always avoided this. Deep down, she'd denied any

resemblance. Over time, she'd

ет

developed a fixed mindset. She saw Connor differently than others did. To her, he was a loathsome demon.

Claire shut her eyes, covering her ears. "Get out! I don't want to see your face. Get out!"

Connor laughed coldly. "Big sis, what are you so afraid of? What's scaring you?"

Claire shoved Connor away. "Get lost! You demon!"

Connor watched her for a moment, then leaned in close, his voice low and chilling as it pierced her thoughts. "Even if I'm a demon, I'm one you created. I am your retribution!"