Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9: A Meeting With Leonardo

After ending the call, a sly smile curved my lips. Landon’s feigned warmth now sounded utterly hollow. His absence from the office was a stroke of perfect timing for what I had planned next.

My first destination was his company headquarters. Without hesitation, I made my way straight to his office, intent on locating my missing manuscripts and data backups. I rifled through his desk drawers, sorted through filing cabinets, and even attempted to bypass the encrypted sections on his computer. Yet, all my efforts proved fruitless. Landon had concealed everything with meticulous care.

Lost in thought and frustration, I frowned deeply when suddenly an assistant hurried in, breaking the silence. “Ms. Anderson, Mr. Richardson isn’t in today. These urgent funding contracts require your signature,” he said, extending a folder toward me.

I scanned the documents quickly. They detailed partnership projects with some of the most influential werewolf family enterprises—deals I had fought tooth and nail to secure for the Richardson legacy. Any delay in processing these funds could spell disaster for many of those ventures.

“Have you been able to reach Mr. Richardson?” I asked, though I already suspected the answer.

“Yes, but he told me he’s busy and asked that you handle it,” the assistant replied respectfully.

I couldn’t help but smile to myself. The irony was almost bitter. I had invested the most effort into Landon’s company, never once faltering. Whenever he was too occupied or unwilling to take risks, he’d grant me “proxy authority.” But that power was a mere illusion—I held no shares, no official title. At best, I was a mid-level manager with no real influence.

And every time I made a decision on his behalf, he would publicly “reprimand” me during meetings. It was a performance to assert his dominance and maintain an image of fairness for the shareholders. He claimed it was to protect me, to keep personal feelings from muddying business matters. What a laughable excuse.

“Leave the contracts here. I have an urgent matter to attend to outside. I’ll review and sign them when I return,” I said, casually placing the folder on the corner of his desk.

“Of course, Ms. Anderson,” the assistant replied before quietly leaving.

Once he was gone, I strode out of the company without sparing those critical contracts another glance. Tonight’s priority was my meeting with Leonardo of the Silver-Maned Pack. I needed to be flawless—this first impression was everything.

I arrived at an exclusive salon known for catering solely to the elite of the werewolf community. The atmosphere was serene, the air scented with rare essential oils. Every detail was designed to pamper and impress. After a full treatment that revived my long-neglected appearance, I left the salon just as the clock neared 5 p.m.

Next, I stopped by a luxury mall nearby, a haven for high-end brands. The boutique of my favorite designer called to me, and I stepped inside, determined to find the perfect outfit.

“Oh my! Ma’am, your figure and presence are exceptional! This dress is quite demanding, but it looks even better on you than on our brand ambassador!” the saleswoman exclaimed with genuine admiration.

I caught my reflection in the mirror. The gown—a sleek lavender halterneck—accentuated my features beautifully. The fabric shimmered subtly, like moonlight caught in delicate folds of sheer chiffon. It combined an ethereal elegance with a hint of primal werewolf mystique.

This shade and design could easily overwhelm someone less fortunate, or come off as gaudy, but my flawless skin and sharp, defined bone structure made the dress look regal and refined—beautiful yet distant, noble yet wild.

“I’ll take this one,” I said softly, turning to study myself once more. The cut was elegant, revealing just enough to hint at my figure without crossing any lines. It was perfect for a formal evening that promised unpredictability.

In the two years I’d been “married” to Landon, work had consumed me entirely. I had almost forgotten what I truly looked like.

I lingered a moment longer in front of the mirror before heading to the counter. When I presented my card, the clerk looked up with a small smile. “A gentleman called earlier and already paid for the dress,” she said. “Not only that, he also purchased a matching clutch, a set of exquisite jewelry, and a pair of perfectly coordinated heels.”

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