I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 297

Natalie leaned back against her pillows, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her chest. She let her fingers drift across her phone screen, lost in thought. Alexander’s words from that night outside the operating room kept echoing in her mind.

He said he wouldn’t just let it go.

Was this how he was getting revenge for Camila? First, he forced her out of Ramirez Hospital. Now, he was using the Ramirez Group’s power to cut off her business connections. It felt like she was being squeezed from every direction.

A wave of helplessness washed over her, but she forced herself to shake it off. She didn’t have time to mope. The auction was coming up fast, and she needed a solution, now.

Her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. Anne’s name flashed on the screen.

“Any updates?” Natalie answered, keeping her voice as steady as she could.

Anne sounded stressed. “I tried reaching out to a bunch of hotels we’ve worked with before. Either they say their ballrooms are already booked, or claim they’re under renovation so we can’t use them.”

She hesitated before adding, “Nora, it’s weird. It’s like they’re all coming up with excuses at the same time.”

Natalie closed her eyes for a moment. She could see what was happening. The Ramirez Group had made their move, and now none of their former partners wanted to risk getting on their bad side by helping Billy Firth.

She took a steadying breath. “Okay, don’t panic. Keep reaching out to other venues. I’ll think of something from my side.”

After she hung up, Natalie stared at her phone, her mind racing for options. Suddenly, she thought of someone.

Samuel Thompson.

The Thompson Group was just as powerful as the Ramirez Group, and Samuel and Alexander had always been rivals. Maybe, just maybe, he’d be willing to help.

She scrolled through her contacts and tapped Samuel’s number.

He picked up almost right away. “I was just about to come check on you. How are you feeling?”

Natalie ended the call, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Later that afternoon, Arianna showed up at the hospital with a bag of fruit.

“So, what’s going on? I heard almost every hotel in Cabinda is turning down Billy Firth, and people are saying it’s because of the Ramirez Group.”

Arianna had caught wind of the rumors at work. Everyone was confused. No one could figure out why Ramirez was targeting Billy Firth. After all, Alexander had always supported Billy’s auctions before. He’d even bought expensive gifts at them for his fiancée.

Arianna didn’t know the whole story, but she had heard that Thompson Group had stepped in and provided a venue.

“Don’t tell me Alexander is doing all this for Camila, just to get back at you?” Arianna guessed.

Natalie looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah.”