Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 49

**Chapter 49: Get Rid of Her**

**Aaliyah’s POV:**

As dusk settled over the Richardson Estate, I trudged through the grand entrance, fatigue weighing heavily on my shoulders. The moment I crossed the threshold into the foyer, an unsettling energy enveloped me. My eyes were immediately drawn to the floor, where a pair of exquisite high-heeled shoes lay abandoned. They were undeniably elegant, a stark contrast to the more casual style that Natalie favored.

A jolt of dread coursed through me, and instinctively, I wanted to retreat.

“Fancy meeting you here, Aaliyah,” a voice slithered from behind, sharp and biting. It was as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over me, chilling me to the bone. “When did you move in? Didn’t think to give me a heads-up?”

With a hesitant breath, I turned slowly, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. It took a moment for the words to form in my mind. “Mrs… Mrs. Grace Richardson, please don’t misunderstand my presence here. There’s a reason I’m in this house.”

“Aaliyah…” Grace approached, her demeanor radiating a frosty disdain. “You haven’t changed a bit. Still the same old you.” Each word dripped with contempt, her gaze piercing. “Still as brazen as ever.”

“Mrs. Grace Richardson!” I protested, my voice rising as my cheeks flushed with indignation.

In an instant, a sharp slap landed across my cheek, the force of it shocking me to my core.

I pressed my palm to my face, bewildered and reeling from the unexpected assault.

Just then, the sound of Nathan’s cries echoed from upstairs, his voice thick with desperation. “Ms. Cooper! Help me!”

Grace had zero tolerance for Nathan, the child they had taken in. From the moment she arrived, she had confined him to his room, and now, hearing my voice, he was thrashing about in a frenzy, trying to escape.

“Useless bunch! Can’t even keep a little pup quiet! Someone shut him up!” Grace barked at the servants, her voice laced with irritation.

“Yes, ma’am!” The servants, visibly intimidated by her presence, hurried to comply. I could hear Nathan’s muffled whimpers and the sound of him thrashing against the confines of his room.

“Grace! Leave him alone! Take your anger out on me instead!” The sight of Nathan being treated so harshly ignited a fierce protectiveness within me, and I felt my fear dissipate. I lunged forward, determined to intervene.

But Grace was ready for me, and with a swift shove, she sent me sprawling to the floor, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs.

“Landon’s my son! In his house, you have no authority! All you do is seduce him and neglect your teaching responsibilities!” Her eyes blazed with fury, each word a dagger aimed at my heart.

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