Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 59

**Fading Into Blue by Austen**

**Chapter 59: Period**

**Natalie’s POV:**

The receptionist’s words cut through the air with an unyielding finality. “I’m sorry, Ms. Cooper, but Mr. Wilson only had a preliminary discussion with you previously. The Elder Council must conduct a thorough review before any decisions on project investments can be made. Furthermore, we have recently received some rather discouraging market intelligence regarding Thorn Pack’s operations. In light of risk management, we will inform you of any developments in due course.”

Her statement was a masterclass in corporate diplomacy, artfully distancing both myself and the company from the unfolding drama. The blame was deftly shifted onto vague notions of “market intelligence” and “risk management,” effectively leaving Aaliyah with no solid ground to stand on in her argument.

I refused to meet her gaze, which I could only imagine was twisted in a mix of fury, humiliation, and disbelief. Instead, I turned on my heel and stepped into the waiting elevator just as its doors slid open.

As the metallic doors began to close, sealing me off from the chaos outside, I caught a glimpse of two imposing werewolves in security uniforms striding purposefully towards Aaliyah, who remained rigid and stunned. It was clear they were there to “politely” escort her out of the premises.

Once inside the elevator, I leaned heavily against the cool, unyielding wall, releasing a long, shaky breath. Just then, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket. It was a message from Landon.

His tone was a stark contrast to the cold silence that had characterized our interactions over the past few days. This time, it was impatient, accusatory, and tinged with a barely contained frustration.

“How long are you planning to drag this out? Do you seriously not care about me or the pack? Do you have any idea that all your subordinates have quit?!”

For days, he had been waiting, convinced that I would eventually come crawling back, desperate for his approval. Now that the situation had spiraled beyond his control, it seemed he could no longer maintain his composure.

A sardonic smile crept across my lips as I recalled Aaliyah’s disheveled, frantic state just moments ago. It appeared that their little escapade during my absence had been far more eventful than I had anticipated.

Earlier that very morning, I had received a message from my informant, Grace, who was nothing if not efficient. The anonymous photographs I had sent her had worked wonders. Aaliyah had been unceremoniously kicked out of Landon’s residence that same night.

*****

The night was an impenetrable black, the kind that swallowed sound and light. Within the Scott Group’s office building, the only illumination came from the meeting room where I sat, surrounded by mountains of project data. The clock ticked ominously, each second a reminder of the pressure mounting on my shoulders. My team members, weary and drained, had been sent home, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the relentless task at hand. The betting agreement with Samuel felt like a noose tightening around my neck. I had a mere week to salvage this failing project.

A familiar dull ache began to throb in my abdomen. It took me a moment to realize that my period had arrived. Initially, I thought I could manage it as I usually did. I stood up and made my way to the restroom, hoping that a brief pause would help me regain my focus on the data before me.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify