Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 22

**Chapter 22: The Three-Day Rule**

**Natalie’s POV:**

As I stood beside Liam, I could sense the whirlwind of his responsibilities. His work phone buzzed incessantly, a relentless reminder of his commitments. Each time it rang, he merely cast a fleeting glance at the screen, opting to decline the calls without a word. It was evident that he was torn between his duties and being present with me.

“Liam,” I said, trying to ease the tension of the moment, “I’m okay now. You should really take care of your things.” We had just stepped into the hotel elevator, and I could feel the weight of his obligations pressing down on him.

With a gentle smile that warmed my heart, he replied, “Alright. But remember, if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“Okay,” I responded, giving him a small wave as I prepared to step out.

Just as the elevator doors began their slow descent into closure, a hand shot out, halting them with a decisive thud. A figure slipped inside with an air of urgency. The elevator, spacious enough for a comfortable ride, suddenly felt cramped as this newcomer intentionally bumped into me, nearly sending me off balance.

“Chloe Kelly,” I barely registered the name before I took in the woman beside me. She was clad in a sharply tailored suit, her demeanor radiating an assertiveness that was hard to ignore. Liam’s voice cut through the tension, tinged with a hint of resignation.

This Chloe had long, thick curls that framed her face, and the scent of her strong perfume enveloped the small space. She glanced at me with a dismissive flick of her eyes before turning her full attention to Liam. “So, Liam, is this a new friend of yours?” she asked, her tone laced with a condescending amusement.

“Don’t be ridiculous. This is my cousin, Natalie,” Liam replied, his voice firm yet tempered, as if he were trying to maintain a balance between politeness and irritation.

“Natalie? Alexander’s mixed-blood illegitimate daughter?” Chloe tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharpening as she scrutinized me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable.

I chose silence, my patience for entitled heiresses wearing thin. Chloe’s demeanor screamed of entitlement, and her deliberate bump into me felt like a calculated move.

“Chloe, watch your tone,” Liam interjected, his voice carrying a subtle authority that hinted at his Alpha lineage. “She is my uncle’s daughter, my sister, and the heir to the Moon-Shadowed Pack.”

“Oh, and what of it? Just because she’s the heir doesn’t mean she’s my sister,” Chloe retorted, pressing the elevator close button with a smirk that suggested she relished in the power play. Liam moved to intervene, but it was too late; the doors slid shut with a soft whoosh, sealing off any chance of further discussion.

Inside the confined space, an awkward silence ensued. Chloe remained tight-lipped, and I mirrored her quietude, acutely aware that their shared history was steeped in unspoken tension. It was clear Chloe had her sights set on Liam, and I was merely collateral damage in her game.

As the elevator reached the lobby, I wasted no time. The moment the doors opened, I stepped out, eager to escape the charged atmosphere.

I had barely reached my suite door when Liam’s voice rang out behind me. He checked to see if I had made it to my room safely, then proceeded to explain that Chloe was the adopted daughter of the Kelly family from the Grayclaw Pack. They had grown up together, and while she had a notoriously bad temper, he insisted she wasn’t inherently malicious. He hoped I wouldn’t let her words get to me.

“The Kelly family? The one renowned for crafting precision runic instruments?” A memory flickered in my mind, recalling my brief encounter with Eleanor during the apartment purchase.

“Exactly, the Kelly Runic Instruments Group,” Liam confirmed. He elaborated that the Luna of the Grayclaw Pack shared a close friendship with Penelope, which meant the two families often mingled. The Kelly family had no sons, only two daughters: Eleanor, the biological child, and Chloe, the adopted one.

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