Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 15

**Chapter 15: Business Transaction**

**Landon’s POV:**

The sight of my mother’s crestfallen expression was like a heavy weight pressing down on my chest, filling me with an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. The relentless pressure from my family, the mounting troubles at the Richardson Group, and the incessant antics of Aaliyah and Nathan had begun to gnaw at my patience. To add to my frustrations, even Natalie, who was usually the calmest among us, was now stirring up trouble. The conflicts swirling around me—both within my family and beyond—left me utterly drained, as if every ounce of energy had been siphoned away.

With no other option left, I resolved to compromise for the time being. I assured my mother that I would “discipline” Natalie and ensure she personally apologized to Anna, who was in dire need of support.

After leaving Anna’s house, I wasted no time in dialing Natalie’s number. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity, each second amplifying my irritation.

“Are you back at home?” I asked, my voice taut with barely restrained frustration.

“No. I’m still meeting with a client. Why?” Her response came through, the background eerily silent, as if she was in a different world entirely.

“My mother and Anna needed you today. Why didn’t you go?” I cut straight to the chase, unwilling to dance around the issue.

On the other end, I could almost sense Natalie’s smirk. “Indeed,” she replied, a hint of amusement lacing her tone.

“Natalie, my mother is your elder. You need to show her some respect and tolerate her temper. And Anna… well, she’s a nurse, and her emotions are all over the place right now. Don’t hold it against her,” I said, attempting to soften my words even as the underlying blame remained unmistakable. Deep down, I wasn’t completely convinced by my mother’s and sister’s accusations, but I knew that if my father decided to investigate the family discord, the blame would inevitably land on my shoulders. Coupled with the myriad issues plaguing the Richardson Group, a thick fog of frustration enveloped me.

I didn’t even entertain the idea of hearing Natalie’s side of the story; I simply made arrangements. “Alright. Where are you? Once you finish, I’ll come pick you up. I’ll accompany you to see my mother and Anna. We’ll talk it out and smooth things over.” I thought I was being considerate, shielding her from the elders’ wrath.

**Natalie’s POV:**

At that moment, I found myself seated in Matthew’s exclusive restaurant, a hidden gem that overlooked the sprawling city lights twinkling like stars fallen to earth. A server was meticulously slicing a premium steak from a mystical beast that roamed the icy plains of the north, the aroma wafting through the air. I took the call without stepping away, and Matthew merely glanced at me, signaling the staff to retreat into the shadows.

Hearing Landon’s presumptuous plan nearly made me chuckle coldly. However, I didn’t outright reject his offer. Instead, I casually sent him an address located clear across the city, a good two-hour drive away.

Dinner was nearing its end as I hung up, elegantly wiping my mouth with a napkin.

“Any trouble? Do I need to step in?” Matthew inquired, swirling the deep red wine in his glass, his expression a mix of curiosity and arrogance. He didn’t seem genuinely interested in my personal affairs, but as a seasoned man, he understood that a young woman’s troubles often revolved around romantic entanglements.

“No need to trouble yourself, Uncle. I can handle this minor issue on my own,” I replied, rising to thank him for the delightful dinner invitation.

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