Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress novel

Fading Into Blue by Austen 24 Summary In Chapter 24 of "Fading Into Blue," titled "A Deadly Kind of Charm," Landon grapples with the shocking demand from Natalie, a once selfless Beta, who now seeks half of the Richardson family shares. This unexpected shift in her demeanor leaves him feeling betrayed and confused, prompting him to question whether her feelings for him have truly changed. Despite his initial determination to confront her, the weight of the Richardson Group's financial troubles soon overshadows his resolve.

As he struggles with anxiety over the company's future, he reflects on their past and decides to send Natalie ten million dollars as a silent gesture of goodwill, hoping to evoke a response from her. Natalie, on the other hand, receives the unexpected transfer with skepticism. Recognizing Landon's manipulative tactics, she dismisses the money as an attempt to buy her off, feeling empowered to pursue her own ambitions instead. Her thoughts shift when she receives a message from Leonardo, a prominent figure in the business world, which ignites a mix of excitement and nervousness within her.

As their conversation unfolds, she learns more about Leonardo's influence and status, further fueling her desire for recognition and independence. As Landon anxiously awaits a response from Natalie, he is perplexed by her indifference to the substantial sum he sent. His frustration grows as he grapples with the possibility that she may be contemplating leaving the Richardson family.

This realization triggers a sense of panic and irritation within him, as he reflects on the implications of her potential departure and the secrets that could unravel if she were to discover his true bond with Aaliyah and their child, Nathan. The chapter culminates in a tense atmosphere, with Landon feeling increasingly out of control as he realizes that his previous methods of manipulation may not be enough to secure Natalie's loyalty.

The moonlight streaming through the study window symbolizes the cold reality of his situation, leaving him with a foreboding sense that he is losing his grip on both Natalie and the company. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Chapter 24: A Deadly Kind of Charm** **Landon's POV:** Natalie, that so-called "low-ranking Beta," who had always been the epitome of selflessness, had the audacity to demand half of the company shares? My mind reeled at the thought. I didn't even possess half of the Richardson family's holdings yet. What was happening to her?

Surely, there had to be a limit to her unreasonable demands. Or was it possible that her feelings towards me had genuinely shifted? Was she now trying to squeeze every last bit from me, penny by penny? Once the call ended, I attempted to reach out again, only to find her line blocked. It seemed she was intent on playing the same game again! I vowed that I wouldn't allow her to escape this time. It was essential that I teach this arrogant, spoiled woman a lesson she wouldn't forget! But that determination lasted only a couple of hours.

The mounting losses of the Richardson Group loomed large over my thoughts, crushing my resolve. If I didn't manage to salvage that project soon, the company's IPO would be completely doomed. Tossing and turning in bed, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread. I waited until Aaliyah, my true Omega mate bound to my soul, and our little pup Nathan were sound asleep before I slipped out of bed and made my way to the study. The moment I closed my eyes, my mind was flooded with images of Natalie. Why had she grown so distant?

But then, a flicker of doubt was quickly extinguished as I recalled our history. That shy, mixed-blood Beta, who had once believed she was just an ordinary human, had placed her unwavering trust and adoration in me. I was convinced that her loyalty was profound, and her feelings for me couldn't simply vanish overnight. This thought provided a modicum of comfort. Perhaps this was merely an extreme manifestation of her insecurities? After all, she was a Beta with impure blood. An idea sparked in my mind.

I grabbed my phone and initiated a series of transfers to Natalie's account-five transactions, each for two million dollars. A total of ten million dollars. I didn't include a single word with the transfers. This silent act of generosity was a psychological maneuver. I wanted her to ponder my thoughts, to decipher my emotions and helplessness all on her own. She wanted shares. I didn't agree to that, but I compensated her handsomely with money. Wasn't this a peace offering?

If she softened, if even a flicker of guilt crossed her mind, I would still be that perfect, devoted "mate." She would have no choice but to continue working for me and the Richardson family. I waited. I waited for her to notice the substantial transfers and reach out to me first. **Natalie's POV:** I was still awake when my phone buzzed with the notifications of the transfers. Landon had sent me a staggering ten million dollars. Not a single word accompanied this unexpected windfall. I scoffed, fully aware of his manipulative tactics.

This silent handout was merely a ruse to provoke me into speculating about his "deep meaning" and "sacrifice." I wanted the shares, the status, the recognition that came with them. He thought he could buy me off with this petty sum, expecting me to be grateful for his crumbs. This might have worked on me in the past, but now? It was utterly futile. Just as I suspected, I swiped away the transfer notifications, only to discover an unread message lurking beneath. It was from Leonardo. He had replied to the greeting I had mustered the courage to send earlier.

His message was succinct, just two words sent twenty minutes prior: "Not yet." My heart raced. I typed a response, then hesitated and deleted it. His reply felt dismissive, as if he had no intention of engaging in further conversation. Would following up be intrusive? Yet, I had initiated the chat, and he had replied. Ignoring him now felt awkward, too. After a moment's indecision, I sent a message: "I saw your Instagram post and felt like saying hi." I assumed the conversation would end there.

To my surprise, Leonardo replied almost immediately this time, "You're in Calithera?" I was taken aback. I responded, "Yes. I'm here for a charity banquet. Are you here, too?" He must have known my whereabouts; he was likely on the guest list as well. The thought of possibly encountering Leonardo made me feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. He replied, "I'm not. Have a meeting tonight. Going live soon." I quickly typed back, "Sorry.

Am I disturbing you?" But before he could answer, I added, "It's fine; you keep busy-I'm going to rest too." Continuing the conversation further might annoy him, so I decided to end it proactively. Leonardo didn't respond again. But his words lingered in my mind, piquing my curiosity. Since sleep eluded me, I opened my laptop and searched for Leonardo's name. The search yielded little at first. Then I recalled what Matthew had mentioned.

Leonardo was immensely renowned in international business circles, particularly within the elite werewolf society that operated beneath the surface of human existence. I switched to a more discreet search network. Sure enough, relevant updates began to surface on international finance sites and a few exclusive platforms. The International Business Summit, organized by a consortium of top financial groups, was currently underway. Attendees were exclusively business magnates and influential financial oligarchs from various nations, many of whom were Alphas commanding vast werewolf families.

And Leonardo, as the head of the Sanchez Group, was one of the summit's key speakers. I found the summit's live stream and waited impatiently for half an hour. Finally, the camera panned to Leonardo. He stood confidently behind the podium, flanked by assistants. Dressed in a tailored, dark, high-end suit, he exuded an air of authority. Even through the screen, I could feel the powerful aura of a top-tier Alpha, a blend of sharp intensity and unwavering composure. He was striking, yet there was an unapproachable quality about him. As the speech segment began, Leonardo took the microphone.

He spoke a foreign language with the same fluency as his native tongue. His points were sharp and precise, igniting spirited discussions among the audience. His deep, magnetic voice, amplified by the microphone, resonated with a compelling energy that surpassed even seasoned financial commentators. I usually enjoyed watching various speeches, but Leonardo's exceptional talent captivated me completely. His impromptu responses to questions were equally brilliant-concise and impactful, with each word striking true. Every time he concluded a segment, the hall erupted in applause.

Even I, sitting in my room, couldn't help but clap softly. A man with such extraordinary professional prowess possessed a deadly kind of charm. He stood there, calm and poised, distant and cold, yet I felt an almost tangible Alpha pheromone radiating from him. After watching the live stream, I understood Leonardo's detachment. An Alpha of his caliber was destined to be revered. Socializing must have felt like an obligation. As for a mate bond? I could scarcely imagine what kind of werewolf could stand beside him as an equal. **Landon's POV:** I waited the entire night.

The phone screen remained dark, devoid of any message from Natalie. Ten million dollars-a fortune that would send many low-ranking werewolves, even some struggling Beta families, into a frenzy. Yet, she had not reacted at all. This was not right. How could Natalie-who had always gazed at me with a hint of worship and dependence, who was content with the smallest of gifts and sweet words, and who had been willing to give everything for me-remain indifferent to ten million dollars? The crisis looming over the Richardson Group felt like a dark cloud, threatening to crush me at any moment.

And Natalie, the pawn I believed I had firmly secured, seemed to be slipping from my grasp. A strange irritation began to bubble within me, mingling with an unsettling hint of panic. She had mentioned "leaving the Richardson family." Could she truly dare to do such a thing? Where could a mixed-blood Beta like her go, away from the protection of the Richardson family and my watchful eye? Unless... did she know something? About my true soul bond with Aaliyah? About Nathan's true lineage? No, that was impossible. We had kept that secret well hidden. It had to be something else.

Perhaps my mother and Anna had pushed too hard, awakening the dormant rebellious instincts within her. It appeared that money alone wasn't enough to keep her in line. I needed to reassess Natalie's value and the potential risks she posed. Maybe I should explore alternative methods to ensure she understood who was in charge and who was the Alpha she needed to cling to. As moonlight streamed through the study window, cold and pale, I felt a sense of foreboding. For the first time, I sensed that events were spiraling in a direction I could no longer predict.

Conclusion In the wake of Landon's desperate attempts to maintain control over Natalie, the emotional landscape between them shifted dramatically. His once unwavering confidence began to crumble as he grappled with the realization that his wealth and power might not be enough to secure her loyalty. The ten million dollars, intended as a gesture of goodwill, only deepened the chasm between them, highlighting the stark contrast between their desires and the paths they were choosing.

Landon's internal turmoil, fueled by insecurity and fear of losing Natalie, revealed a vulnerability that he had never acknowledged before. As he faced the possibility of her departure from the Richardson family, the true weight of their complicated relationship bore down on him, forcing him to confront the fragility of their bond. Meanwhile, Natalie's awakening to her own worth and aspirations illuminated her journey of self-discovery. The allure of Leonardo, a figure of power and charisma, sparked a fire within her that Landon's material offerings could not extinguish.

As she watched Leonardo command the stage, her admiration transformed into a longing for recognition and respect that transcended her previous identity as a low-ranking Beta. This pivotal moment marked a turning point for Natalie, as she began to envision a future where her value was not dictated by her ties to Landon or the Richardson family. With each passing moment, the distance between them widened, and both Landon and Natalie stood at the precipice of their own choices, facing the daunting question of whether their paths would converge again or lead them irrevocably apart.

As he attempts to regain control, we can expect to see him employ even more desperate strategies to bind Natalie to him, leading to a confrontation that could change the dynamics of their relationship forever. Will Landon's manipulative tactics backfire, or will they drive Natalie deeper into the arms of another? Meanwhile, Natalie stands at a crossroads, caught between her past loyalty to Landon and the allure of Leonardo's captivating presence.

As she navigates her feelings for both men, the allure of power and recognition may compel her to make choices that challenge the very foundations of her identity. Expect to witness her internal struggle as she weighs her options, and perhaps even takes bold steps towards independence that could shatter the fragile balance of power between her, Landon, and Leonardo. Will she seize the opportunity to redefine herself, or will the weight of her past drag her back into Landon's orbit?