Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress novel

Fading Into Blue by Austen 17 Summary In Chapter 17 of "Fading Into Blue," titled "Go and Apologize," Landon grapples with Natalie's ultimatum regarding her role at the Richardson Group. Natalie expresses her frustration over the constant interference from Landon's family, particularly his mother and sister, which has made her feel undervalued in her professional capacity.

She proposes a stark choice: either Landon secures an apology from Grace and Anna, ensuring they won't disrupt her work again, or she will resign to focus solely on her domestic responsibilities, leaving the Richardson Group in turmoil. Landon is taken aback by her assertiveness, realizing that Natalie has transformed from someone who would acquiesce to his family's demands into a woman who commands respect. As the conversation unfolds, the tension escalates, with Landon caught between his loyalty to Natalie and the chaos that ensues within the Richardson Group following her departure.

After just a day without her, critical contracts are canceled, and the company is on the brink of collapse. Landon's desperation to salvage the situation leads him to call for an emergency meeting, where the severity of the crisis becomes evident. His frustration mounts as he reflects on the impact of his family's actions on Natalie and the company, realizing that he may have underestimated her importance. Upon returning home, Landon confronts Anna and Grace, who are scheming to punish Natalie. Their initial confidence quickly dissipates in the face of Landon's cold demeanor.

He reveals the financial losses incurred due to their interference, emphasizing the need for them to apologize to Natalie. This confrontation marks a pivotal moment for Landon, as he asserts his authority and prioritizes the future of the Richardson Group over family loyalty. The chapter concludes with a dramatic shift in family dynamics, as Landon's father, Benjamin, supports his decision by threatening to freeze family assets until apologies are made, further highlighting the stakes involved in the conflict.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Chapter 17: Go and Apologize** **Landon's POV:** A deep furrow creased my brow as I absorbed Natalie's words; they resonated sharply in my ears, like the clang of a bell tolling a warning. "Right now, my head is full of how to save the Richardson Group's projects. But the family just keeps pulling me back," she continued, her tone unnervingly composed, as though she had steeled herself against the storm brewing around us. Then, with a precision that felt like a physical blow, she delivered a statement that left me momentarily speechless.

"How about this? You tell Grace I'll resign from the Richardson Group. I'll focus solely on preparing Anna's nursing meals at home. After all, my efforts seem pointless anyway." "Are you out of your mind?" I exclaimed, my voice rising in disbelief. "Resign now? What about the Richardson Group? We can't afford to lose you!" "Then you decide," she replied, her voice flat and devoid of emotion, as if she were discussing the weather rather than her career.

"Either Grace and Anna apologize to me and promise not to interfere with my work again, or I become a full-time nanny, and the Richardson Group has nothing to do with me." Her words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. She paused, letting the weight of her ultimatum settle in. "Landon, make a choice. Do you want me to stabilize the Richardson Group and negotiate life-or-death projects? Or do you want me to cater to your sister's lactation whims?" A silence so profound enveloped the conversation that I could almost hear my heart pounding in my chest.

I understood, in that moment, that Natalie was not jesting. Without her, the tangled mess at the Richardson Group would remain unsolved, a ship lost at sea. "Natalie, my mother and Anna..." I attempted to placate her, but she cut me off with a calmness that felt like ice. "No explanations needed. I just need them to understand. I'm here to work, not to be a nanny. If I don't get that assurance, there's no point in wasting my energy." In that instant, I realized the Natalie who once acquiesced to my every whim was gone, replaced by a woman who demanded respect and recognition.

She was no longer a pawn in the family game; she had become a queen. Yet, I knew my mother's temper was as fierce as a raging storm, and Anna, well, she was spoiled and headstrong. Convincing them to apologize to Natalie would surely unleash a tempest within our already fragile family dynamics. "Natalie, you know how my mother is. Making her apologize..." I gritted my teeth, stalling for time. The Richardson Group was my top priority, and I needed to navigate this treacherous path carefully.

"Landon, for my sake, and for the Richardson Group, I hope you will consider this carefully and seriously." With that, she hung up, her decision final, her phone going dark in my hands like a door slamming shut. I dialed her number again, desperation creeping into my heart, but the call wouldn't connect. Frustration bubbled inside me, and I yanked at my tie, loosening it as if that could relieve the pressure building in my chest. Anger surged like a wildfire, consuming my thoughts. Aaliyah was right; I had spoiled Natalie, and how dare she act out at such a critical moment?

Blinded by my fury, I ceased the search for Natalie. I refused to accept the notion that I couldn't push the Richardson Group's IPO forward without her. **Natalie's POV:** As I had anticipated, the moment I stepped away, chaos erupted within the Richardson Group. Just half a day without my presence, and three key partners had canceled their contracts. The Elder Council's fury was palpable, threatening to bring the entire organization to its knees. **Landon's POV:** I dashed to the Richardson Group, urgency propelling me forward as I called for an emergency meeting.

The cause of the turmoil was quickly uncovered-a critical product announcement had gone awry the previous afternoon, coinciding perfectly with the barrage of calls Natalie had been fielding from my family. I stood there, speechless, my mind racing. Just then, Grace called me once more, and without a second thought, I slammed my phone down in frustration. The room fell silent, the weight of my fury palpable. My assistant hesitantly picked up the phone, and I dismissed the meeting, my mind swirling with thoughts of how to salvage this disaster.

After what felt like an eternity of trying to calm the storm within me, I grabbed my coat and headed home. Upon my arrival, I found Anna back from her spat with James, plotting with Grace about how to "punish" Natalie and teach her a lesson. When the servant announced my presence, smug expressions broke out on their faces, as if they had expected me to bring Natalie along to apologize. But as I stepped through the door alone, my expression as dark as a thundercloud, their anticipation quickly drained.

I ignored their curious gazes and headed straight for the study, shutting the door firmly behind me. Half an hour later, my father, Benjamin Richardson, and I emerged from the study, and the tension in the room was palpable. Grace, sensing my icy demeanor, rushed forward, her voice laced with urgency. "Landon, where's Natalie? Why isn't she with you?" I halted mid-stride, my glare as cold as winter frost. "Mom, control Anna. If she causes more trouble, can you afford the losses the Richardson family will suffer?" Grace's voice rose in indignation. "What do you mean?

Did that lowly half-breed Natalie poison you against us?" "Poison?" I let out a bitter laugh, tossing a report onto the coffee table with a flourish. "Yesterday, while she was dealing with you and your endless calls, the signing of contracts with three partners was delayed. The Richardson Group lost nearly a hundred million dollars directly. Who should we blame for that?" The color drained from Grace's and Anna's faces, shock replacing their earlier bravado. "Landon!" Anna cried out, her voice shrill with disbelief. "You're yelling at us for her?

She's just an outsider!" "An outsider?" I shot back, my tone icy. "She's the one who can lead the Richardson Group to its IPO. And what about you? You only know how to spend recklessly and hold me back." I fixed my gaze on both of them, my words imbued with an Alpha's undeniable authority. "Right now, you will go and apologize to Natalie." Grace's expression twisted in disbelief, like a wolf whose tail had just been stepped on. "Apologize? I'm her elder.

Why should I?" "Because she holds the core projects for the Richardson Group's next quarter," Benjamin interjected suddenly, tossing a document onto the table. "Your lakeside estate and Anna's bloodline trust fund are frozen, effective immediately. They will be unfrozen when you go and apologize to Natalie." Conclusion In the aftermath of the confrontation, a palpable shift settled over the Richardson household. Landon, fueled by a fierce determination to protect both Natalie and the family's legacy, had finally drawn a line in the sand.

The weight of his earlier indecision lifted as he recognized the true value of Natalie-not just as a partner in business, but as a formidable force deserving of respect and acknowledgment. His mother and sister, confronted with the stark reality of their own recklessness, were forced to grapple with the consequences of their actions. The tension that had once defined their relationships began to unravel, revealing the potential for reconciliation and growth.

Landon stood at the precipice of change, ready to embrace a new dynamic, one that honored Natalie's contributions while also challenging his family's outdated notions of hierarchy and entitlement. Meanwhile, Natalie remained steadfast in her resolve, her absence serving as a catalyst for transformation within the Richardson Group. As the dust settled, it became clear that her departure had not only exposed the cracks in the family's foundation but had also illuminated the path forward.

The ultimatum she had laid down was not merely a demand for respect; it was a call for accountability and a reminder of the strength that comes from unity. With Landon now firmly in her corner, the potential for a fresh start loomed large. As they navigated the complexities of their intertwined lives, both Landon and Natalie understood that the road ahead would demand courage and commitment, but they were no longer alone. Together, they were poised to redefine their futures, merging ambition with a newfound sense of partnership that promised to elevate them beyond the confines of their past.

As the stakes rise, so does the urgency of the situation, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Natalie's resolve and the transformation she has undergone. No longer willing to be treated as a mere accessory to the family's whims, her character will shine as a beacon of strength and determination. With the Richardson Group's future hanging in the balance, will she remain steadfast in her demands, or will the emotional pull of Landon and their shared history sway her?

The impending confrontation will not only test the characters' relationships but also reveal their true priorities-family loyalty or professional ambition. As the narrative unfolds, readers will be left wondering who will emerge victorious in this high-stakes game of power and pride. admin