Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress novel

Chapter 199 A Substantial Hit Liam's POV: 73 +20 Free Coins I used to ask Chloe all the time, wanting to help. But she never told me. She was as proud as a lone wolf refusing to lower its head. She'd rather bash her head against a wall until she bled than accept help-especially from me. But I still couldn't figure it out. How could the very person who insisted on never owing me anything have been so heartless when she abandoned me back then? After all those years of friendship, even if she couldn't love me, how could she just stand by and watch me die?

The old wound in my chest tore open again, sending a sharp, familiar pain. The chilling memory of her betrayal twisted together with the heartache I felt for her now, threatening to rip me apart. I took a deep breath, forcing the turmoil back down into the depths of my heart. I couldn't let it show. Any sign of pity or further questioning would only push her further away. "Yeah," I finally grunted, the single syllable flat. What else could I say? She pushed the car door open and got out without a backward glance. Her figure vanished into the dark night.

I sat in the car for a long time, not moving. The faint, stubborn trace of her scent still lingered in the air. Her words had stirred up a storm inside me. But eventually, the waves sank back into the frozen depths of my emotions. Too many impossible barriers stood between us-family expectations, past wounds, and the line she herself had drawn, the one I could never cross. Samuel's POV: Three days later, morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor of the Scott Group building, filling the space with a clear, bright light.

I stepped out of the elevator, walking calmly and offering perfectly measured smiles to the employees I passed. I stopped at Natalie's office door, knocked briefly, and entered. "Morning." She seemed to have expected me. She looked up the moment I appeared, a flawless smile already on her face. Her aura felt more refined than when she first joined the Scott Group. The mixed-blood Beta energy was gone, replaced by a sharpness reminiscent of a high-ranking Alpha. 1/3 18:17 Mon, Jan 5 Chapter 199 A Substantial Hit 73 +20 Free Coins "Got a minute?" I asked.

"There's a key project partnership meeting later. The other party is sending representatives for an evaluation. Care to join?" I tossed out the invitation, curious to see her reaction. "Sure," she agreed almost instantly, without even looking up at me. I was taken aback. "Aren't you going to ask what the project is?" "No need. Any project that catches Mr. Scott's eye must be a good one." Her tone was a little too light, carrying a certainty that made me uncasy. Where was all her usual guarded caution around me? Why was it completely absent today? Something felt off.

Pushing down my rising suspicion, I nodded and left. I could almost picture the "interesting" look that would pass between her and Landon when he arrived later. The gossip about former "mates" alone would be enough to fuel the office break room for weeks and put her in an awkward position. I had just settled into my office, ready to enjoy the show, when my mother, Penelope, called. At this hour, she was usually in meetings. Why would she call me? "Mom," I answered the phone. Listening to her tightly controlled, angry voice on the other end, my face instantly became gloomy.

Ten minutes later, I stormed into the project department, seething with unspent rage. My gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over Lily's workstation. It was empty. Not even a scrap of paper remained. "Where's Lily?" I grabbed a nearby employee, my voice icy and laced with an unconscious hint of Alpha pressure. The employee flinched and stammered, "She quit, I think?" Quit? Surprise flickered in my eyes. When did that girl slip away so quietly? I hadn't heard a thing! Three days ago, she had sent me project data from Natalie's computer.

I thought she had finally seen reason, been cowed by my methods, and chosen my side. Penelope was currently working two angles. On one hand, she was planning to poach the entire team and projects from Moon-Shadowed Pack to start her own venture. On the other hand, she was still trying to find a way to force Natalie out of Moon-Shadowed Pack. But it seemed getting rid of Natalie might not be so easy. 2/3 18:17 Mon, Jan 5 Chapter 199 A Substantial Hit 73 +20 Free Coins So, following Penelope's instructions, I had been secretly leaking low-stakes pack project bids.

The impact on Moon-Shadowed Pack was minimal for now, but it would add up over time, eventually causing significant losses. When that happened, all the blame would point directly at Natalic, making it impossible for her to escape unscathed. Penelope would then be able to effortlessly reap the rewards. I never expected the data Lily gave me to be completely fake! Penelope's side, acting on this false information, had suffered a major loss. Now, her call was full of anger, blaming me for my incompetence and my failure to control a low-level employee.

I had no idea how I was going to explain this to her. 3/3 18:17 Mon, Jan 5 admin