Ditch Fake Bond She’s Tycoon Wolf Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 26

**Chapter 26: Strike Right at the Crucial Point**

**Natalie’s POV:**

My speech unfolded over the span of five minutes, each second filled with a rhythm that felt both exhilarating and surreal. I navigated through my words with an ease that surprised even me—no stumbles, no hesitations. The language flowed effortlessly, the content radiated professionalism, and I even managed to sprinkle in a few light-hearted quips that brought a smile to the audience’s faces.

As I concluded, a brief silence enveloped the hall, a collective breath held in anticipation. Then, like a storm breaking, applause erupted. It was as if the very walls of the venue shook with the thunderous clapping, and cheers rang out, echoing my unexpected triumph.

They had underestimated me, a mere young girl, inexperienced and seemingly unworthy of the stage. But here I was, standing before them, proving them all wrong. How could they have thought that a powerful Alpha like Alexander would hand over his empire to just anyone?

With a graceful bow, I stepped away from the stage. My heart raced, a wild drumbeat in my chest, yet the overwhelming sensation of having earned recognition through my own merit was indescribably euphoric.

During my speech, my mind had repeatedly replayed the footage of Leonardo’s live stream from the previous night. He and the other esteemed speakers had an impeccable control over their rhythm, their remarks sharp and laced with wit. While I might not have grasped every profound concept they discussed, the intensity in their eyes—filled with conviction and a commanding presence—had left a lasting impression on me.

Unconsciously, I had mirrored that demeanor, and to my surprise, the effect was remarkable.

“Natalie, you really blew me away,” Liam exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration. He was well aware of my major, yet he hadn’t anticipated my ability to speak with such eloquence and improvisation, all without the safety net of a prepared script.

I offered him a smile, my heart still fluttering from the performance, and shared with him the story of the blank teleprompter screen that had nearly derailed me.

Liam frowned, his expression serious. “That was my oversight. I never imagined someone would resort to such a cheap trick at an event of this caliber.”

“Do you think it was Penelope?” I asked, my instincts leading me to suspect her immediately.

“It’s hard to say,” Liam replied cautiously. He wasn’t particularly fond of Penelope and had a low opinion of her, but he hesitated to jump to conclusions without solid evidence, not wanting to add unnecessary stress to an already tense situation.

This entire farce only solidified the notion that countless eyes lurked in the shadows, watching my every move, waiting for the “mixed-blood heir” to stumble and make a fool of herself.

As the speeches came to a close, the banquet officially commenced. However, Liam and I found ourselves seated apart. He had wanted to escort me to my place, but duty called him away mid-process.

“It’s just dinner,” I reassured him. “I can find my seat.” Each table was marked with name cards, and I was confident I could locate mine.

But as I wandered from table to table, my confidence waned. I searched in vain, yet my name was nowhere to be found.

By now, most guests had settled into their seats, and I stood alone once again, the center of unwanted attention. The banquet manager approached, a kind smile on his face. “Ms. Anderson, service will begin shortly. Please take your seat.”

It was painfully clear that Eleanor had orchestrated this little trap, determined to humiliate me in front of the crowd.

I stood frozen, my gaze sweeping across the table, confirming the absence of my name card. The stares of the onlookers and Eleanor’s triumphant smile ignited a fire of anger within me. I could sense a subtle shift in my demeanor, the instinctual response of my werewolf bloodline stirring to life.

Just then, a clear, commanding voice broke through the tension behind me. “What’s going on with the organizers? I don’t see my name card either.”

I turned to see Chloe standing there, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised, her presence radiating authority as she addressed the flustered server. “Is the event team this incompetent? Can’t they even arrange seating properly? Do they think everyone here is unimportant?”

The server’s face paled, clearly taken aback by her boldness.

Seizing the moment, I chimed in, my voice steady and filled with conviction. “Ms. Chloe Kelly is absolutely right. Everyone here today is a respected senior or important partner from various fields. For the organizers to make such a fundamental mistake with the seating isn’t just a slight to me and Ms. Chloe Kelly, but a disrespect to all the esteemed guests present.”

I paused, letting my words sink in as I scanned the faces of the server and the captivated audience around us. “Hosting an event with such an unprofessional attitude raises serious doubts about whether any family would feel confident working with you in the future. At the very least, the Scott family would never consider partnering with someone so unprofessional.”

The server’s face drained of color, his tray trembling in his grip. Everyone knew that having the Scott family heir present was a tremendous honor for the hosts. My words had effectively put their credibility on the line in the upper echelons of werewolf society.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised that this seemingly mild “mixed-blood Beta” could retaliate so effectively, striking right at the core of the issue.