SWNOVELS Chapter 67
Chapter 67 What's Metacortes?
The dining room fell into a momentary hush as the guest's entrance drew everyone's attention
"Am interupting something?" she asked with achamming smile, her eyes scanning the room
Alex's eyes widened in surprise, a shiver running down Lisa's spine as they both recognized the guest. Lisa's grip tightened on the fork in her hand, her unease
palpable
Joan's expression miriored the shockin alex's eyes, while Michael remained impassive, having been the one to invite Claire to join them. Rising from his seat with polite composure, Michael greted Claire warmly. "Not at all, Claire We were just starting. Please, have a seat next to joan."
brought you your favorite chocolate. Thope you don't mind." Clalar said as she handed joan about ciocolate.
joan accepted it with grisine surprise and gratitude, placing it delicately on the rahle beside her.
"Oh, dear, you shouldn't. Is this imported straight from Switzerland?" Joan asked as she stared at the box of chocolate on the table.
Claire nodded with a smile. "Indeed, it is I know you don't eat random chocolate."
"Thank you my dear, have a seat please."
Taking the offered seat next to Joan and across from Lisa, Claire maintained her pleasant demeanor, feigning innocence as she addressed Lisa, "oh, who's this?" she asked, her tone laced with faux surprise.
Alex, however, couldn't contain his anger, standing pabruptly, he turned to his father, his voice edged with frustration. "What's the meaning of this, Dad?" Michael's tone remained cool as he reprimanded his son "Sit down, Alex Don't embarass yourself in front of our guest".
Lisa tugged at Alex's sleeve, silently urging him to calm down and old escalating the situation. With a resized sigh, Alex complied, taking his seat but his expression rained stem.
Joan, ever the peacemaker, decided to lighten the atmosphere. "Clain, this is Lisa, Alex's fiancée," she introduced, trying to bridge the awkward gap between the
Dwo women
Claire's smile remained in place, but there was a glint in her eyes that didn't escape Lisa's notice, making her feel easy, Joan then gestured to the butler to contine serving the meal to Claire, ensuring she felt welcome despite the unexpectedness other arrival As the food was served, Claire thanked the butler graciously and picked up her knite and fork, ready to enjoy the meal.
"How are you doing dear?" Joan askouriously
Dabbing her lips with anaplin, Claire replied smoothly, "I've been doing well, thank you, I have been busy, and I apologize for not seeing you sooner before our
Joan wawed off her apology with a reassuring smile. "Oh, don't worry about that, Claire. I understand it must have been a challenging time for you
Claire's gaze shifted subtly towards Alexas she added, "Indeed, it wasn't the easiest," There was a mischievous glint in her eyes that didn't go unnoticed by Alex, who scaled lightly as he took a sip of his wine.
The conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence as they used on their meals. It was Michael who broke the silence with a curious inquiry directed at isa. "So, Lisa, where did you go to college? Michael's tone was friendly, seeking to leam more about Lou's background. Lasa, slightly caught off guard by the question, hesitated for a moment before responding. "I, um, actually dropped out of college daring my second year. 1 needed
to work and send money to my mother." the admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of hesitation.
Michael nodded understandingly, "I see. And what line of work did you pursue after that?"
Lisa cleared her throat, her fingers fidgeting slightly under the table. "I've been working at a café as a waitress," embarrassment
confessed, her cheeks flushing with
As Lisa shared her story, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Claire, seated across from her. Memories of their time working together at the same café flashed through bermind Lisa had a sneaky idea brewing in her mind, she didn't want to be the only one whose past was being discussed.
"Actually," Lisa spoke up, directing her words towards Michael, "chaice worked at the same cate with "
Claire, who had been about to take a bite of her steak, paused mid-air, he took hovering over the plate. Her expression remained composed, but there was a thicker of surprise in her eyes at Lisa's unexpected revelation Michael turned his attention to clase, intrigued "oh, is that so?"
She placed the utensils down slowly, meeting Lisa's gaze with a knowing look "Yes, I did work at the caté as a waitress," Claire continued, a slight smick playing on her lips.
Jean, Alex's mother, furrowed her brows incontain "Why didn't you ever mention this, late? We thought you were working at Harris Company befo marrying Alex"
Claire nodded, her demeanor composed. "That was before grandfather offered me a job."
Michael, ever curious, interjected witha question that made Alextense in his seat. "How is Metacortex, Claire?"
At this moment, Alex knew that his father has found out about the real Claire. But the question till lingers in his mind, how does his father found out about it
He can't help but wonder if Christian was the snitch, but he knows his best friend that he won't do something like that.
Claire's smirk widened into a knowing smile. "I'm glad you asked, Mr. Hasting very well," she replied cryptically. Lisa, still trying topice things together, furrowed her brows. "What's Metacotex?
H
Alex quickly intervened, a hint of waming in his tone as he addressed his father. "Let's not talkbusiness tonight, Dad'
Michael took a sip of his wine, his eyes flickering between Claire and Alex. "Metacontes is one of the biggest technology and software companies in the world," explained
what does that have to do with Claire" Lisa looks confused as her eyes gaze to Claire.
"Dad," Alex said with a warning tone as to not tell Lisa about it.
Since Michael have nothing to lose and he is still he head in his house, he doesn't mind his son. His eyes tumed to Claire as he placed the wine glass on the table, "CLUN is the CEO
Lisa's eyes widened in shocked. She was silent for a minute or two trying to digest the unexpected information
"Het? Claire?" a hint of disbelief evident in her tone
Lisa shook her head in disbelief. "But that's not possible. I mean, she didn't even go to college," Lisa remarked, voicing her doubts.
Gaire couldn't help but churide softly at Lisa's disbelief.
*1 never said anything about not going to college."
"But you are waitress Lina argue
"Was a waitress. There's a
always more to a person than meets the eye, Lisa
As if someone decided to pull a prank on Lisa, she still couldn't believe Claire was the CEO, Lisa was about to argue to make her points, but Joan decided otherwise. Sherned to ease the now tense atmosphere
"How about dessert? Does anyone want dessert? Kevin, please bring the dessert out." Joan instructed the butler and he hurried to prepare the dessert. "Top dessert Alex turned to his dad, his eyes cold. "Dad, we need to talk, now,"