Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 28

**Chapter 28: Offering a Solution**

**Natalie’s POV:**

“But…” the manager’s voice faltered, a hint of desperation creeping in, “this seat has been reserved for our esteemed guest of honor. He is expected to arrive at any moment. Please, I implore you, don’t make this any more difficult for someone like me, a humble manager.”

As I stood my ground, the tension in the air thickened, and I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on us. Leaving or remaining both felt like surrendering, a loss in its own right. Eleanor, standing nearby, wore a smug smile that seemed to radiate triumph. She leaned in, her voice dripping with condescension, “Some people just have to push things too far. They end up ensnaring themselves and dragging their entire family into embarrassment.”

Her words were incendiary, igniting whispers among the gathered crowd. Many seemed to believe I should simply concede and save face. The thought of being forcibly removed or, worse, creating a scene by stubbornly refusing to budge was almost unbearable.

I forced a smile, straightening my posture as I gathered my thoughts. In that critical moment, my werewolf instincts kicked in, allowing me to remain calm under pressure.

“Large events can have their oversights,” I said, my voice steady yet gentle enough to be heard by all.

As I surveyed the manager, his pale complexion betraying his growing anxiety, my tone shifted, firming with authority. “However, I am seated here today as the full representative of the Scott Group. My presence here is not just a matter of convenience; it concerns the dignity of the Moon-Shadowed Pack.”

“First, you misplaced my name card. Now, because of an important guest who hasn’t even arrived yet, you expect me, the heir of the Scott family, to vacate my seat for a last-minute alternative? Is it your belief that the honor of the Scott family can be so casually dismissed?”

A collective gasp echoed in the room, as the weight of my words sank in. No one dared to underestimate the influence of the Scott family, and upon reflection, it became evident that the organizers had indeed acted with disrespect.

The manager was visibly sweating, his hands trembling slightly. As he opened his mouth to explain, I pressed on, leaving no room for rebuttal. “As for the distinguished guest who is on his way, I can only assume his intention is goodwill. If, due to your oversight, he ends up with a reputation for ‘fighting the heir of the Scott family for a seat,’ I doubt that is a scenario he would welcome, nor is it particularly hospitable.”

I laid the truth bare before them. The root of the error lay with the organizers, and they could not shift the blame onto me or the unseen guest.

Eleanor sneered from her position, clearly eager to see how I would navigate this challenge. Would I be able to compel the organizers to relinquish the reserved seat?

I turned my attention back to the manager, softening my tone slightly, as if offering a lifeline. “Actually, resolving this matter is quite simple.”

“Oh? How?” he asked, skepticism lacing his words.

Before I could respond, a deep, resonant voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd, commanding attention. “How?”

Everyone turned in unison, their eyes widening in surprise.

There stood Leonardo, impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit that emphasized his tall, athletic frame. He moved with a grace that demanded respect, his assistant Aaron at his side. The two men exuded an aura of undeniable authority, but it was Leonardo who seemed to freeze the very air in the banquet hall. The powerful presence of a top-tier Alpha enveloped the space, and instinctively, everyone held their breath.

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on me. Those deep, penetrating eyes held a glimmer of scrutiny, mixed with an almost playful amusement.

It was him!

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