I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 327

“You really think you can still survive in Cabinda? Keep dreaming. You’ll have nothing soon.”

Natalie stared at the message from Camila White for a second, then deleted it and blocked her without a second thought. She acted like it never happened.

“Let’s go,” she said to Anne, her voice steady.

Natalie got back to her work, but her phone buzzed again. This time it was a video from Arianna Mitchell.

On her screen, Alexander Ramirez stood on stage at The White Group’s press conference, looking sharp in a perfectly tailored black suit. Camila was right beside him, her face unreadable. Reporters crowded around, cameras flashing nonstop.

“Mr. Ramirez, what do you think about the Billy Firth counterfeit auction? Do you think this will damage the reputation of the entire auction industry?” one reporter asked, voice sharp and direct.

Alexander glanced up, his eyes cool. “What’s fake can’t ever be real. As for Billy Firth, let’s wait and see.” His words were calm but left everyone guessing.

Right after, Arianna’s text came through. “Alexander is obviously taking Camila’s side against you. And you still tried to protect him after what happened that night. He’s just getting worse. Natalie, you can’t back down anymore!”

Natalie watched Alexander in the video, feeling a twist in her chest. She never expected him to make a public statement now, and with that much hostility. Every word from him sounded like he was standing up for Camila, pushing Natalie further into the shadows.

She closed the video and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Now wasn’t the time for emotions. She needed to find out who was really behind all this and finally bring the truth to light.

She texted Arianna back. “Don’t worry, I’m not backing down.”

Natalie picked up the files on her desk again, all her notes on everyone who’d handled the enamel vase. Each person had an alibi, backed up by security footage. It looked like no one was guilty. The investigation felt stuck, like she’d hit a wall.

“Yeah. Nicholas resigned on the eleventh. HR just brought in a new warehouse manager a few days ago.”

Natalie’s instincts kicked in. The counterfeit had to be connected to the old warehouse manager who’d quit.

“Contact him,” she said. “I want him here tomorrow.”

With this new lead, Natalie felt the pressure she’d been carrying finally start to lift.

Just then, a news alert popped up on her phone. She glanced at it and saw her own name trending.