Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 58

**Chapter 58: Because of Her Casual Words**

**Natalie’s POV:**

Standing amidst the bustling crowd on the street, my phone clutched tightly in my hand, a sudden realization washed over me like a wave. It was him—Leonardo.

A whirlwind of emotions surged through my veins. My heart raced as I opened our chat history and typed out a message, “Mr. Sanchez, thank you for the investment from Neo Harvest Investment.” Each word felt significant, a bridge between our professional lives and the unspoken tension that lay beneath.

His reply came swiftly, as direct and curt as ever. “Okay. Send me the project details later.” His business-like tone was so devoid of warmth that it felt as if he were discussing the weather rather than a multi-million-dollar investment. It was as if this monumental decision was merely a casual footnote in his day.

As I stared at his message, memories of Leonardo’s strikingly handsome face flooded my mind. A faint smile crept onto my lips, filling me with a sense of joy that I hadn’t anticipated. In a moment of whimsy, I added a playful “heart-hands” emoji, hoping to convey my gratitude and perhaps elicit a flicker of warmth in his response.

**Leonardo’s POV:**

During a particularly mundane meeting, a small, involuntary smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as the “heart-hands” emoji danced across my screen. It was a fleeting moment of levity in an otherwise serious atmosphere. But just as quickly, I composed myself, donning my usual stern expression, reminding myself of the importance of professionalism.

**Natalie’s POV:**

Later, I found myself at Neo Harvest Investment, ready to sign the investment agreement. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and the process unfolded smoothly. Jacob Wayne, the manager, greeted me with an almost excessive level of politeness, as if he were handling something precious.

Once the deal was finalized, I turned to leave, relief washing over me. However, as I rounded the corner of the elevator hall, I collided with someone I had no desire to see at that moment—Aaliyah.

She stood there, flaunting a limited-edition luxury bag that Landon had gifted her, a thick stack of project documents clutched in one hand, and two cups of coffee in the other—likely for some networking endeavor. She was engaged in animated conversation with a receptionist from Neo Harvest Investment. The moment her eyes met mine, I felt a jolt of hesitation. A cocktail of shock, jealousy, and disdain flickered across her face, quickly morphing into a sneer.

In her mind, I could almost hear her thoughts. She likely believed I was a lost cause, a desperate soul scavenging for opportunities after my departure from Thorn Pack, much like a stray dog rummaging through trash.

Time was of the essence, and I had no desire to engage in a pointless argument. With a determined resolve, I averted my gaze, choosing to ignore her like an unwelcome shadow, and strode toward the elevator.

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