Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 152

Chapter 152 The Most Ordinary Gift

Chloe’s POV:

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I turned back and met her clear, calm gaze. Why did she have to press? Why couldn’t she just back off like everyone else after hearing a warning?

“You don’t need to know,” I said stiffly, ending the conversation. I pushed the car door open and got out.

The Sanchez family members were still waiting for her, not far away. I didn’t wait for Natalie and quickly walked off alone, leaving that ill-timed concern behind me. I didn’t need pity, especially not from her, a woman who seemed blessed by luck and possessed everything I had once longed for but never dared to hope for

I heard Fiona’s slightly puzzled voice behind me “That girl seems kind of hard to get along with.”

Then came Natalie’s gentle reply. “It might be a defense mechanism. I actually think she’s kind of interesting.”

I quickened my pace, scoffing inwardly. A defense mechanism? Interesting? What did she know? She had no idea what it was like to live at the bottom of the werewolf world, to be a fostered-out freak who didn’t belong. My thorns were my armor-the only thing keeping me from falling apart.

I felt Liam’s gaze. He saw everything. He saw my humiliation, my loss of control, and me fighting back like a wild animal. Did he also think I was rude, embarrassing, and unreasonable, just like everyone else?

A familiar, sharp pain twisted in my heart. I hated this feeling of weakness, hated that I still cared about what he thought. I had to get out of here right away. I needed to return to my own den, lick my wounds, and rebuild walls.

my

Loneliness was my only true destination. Anyone who got close to me would eventually be tainted by my misfortune.

Natalie’s POV:

Watching Chloe disappear into the night withou a backward glance, I sighed softly.

Fiona walked over, looking confused. “That child leaving without even a word? Natalie, you helped her, and she seemed…”

“It’s fine, Fiona,” I said, linking my arm with hers and smiling. “She’s probably just not used to accepting help. I don’t think she’s as cold on the inside as she appears.”

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Chapter 152 The Most Ordinary Gift

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Fiona immediately smiled, “You’re so kind-hearted, Natalie, and a good judge of character! Come on. The dinner should be starting. Ryan’s here, too. He wants to see you.”

“Mr. Ryan Sanchez?” I was surprised. Ryan, Leonardo’s father, hadn’t been able to attend our engagement because he was handling international business abroad. I didn’t expect him to come back specifically for this.

These days, Leonardo was the one managing Silver-Maned Pack. Ryan, as Chairman Emeritus, usually only represented the pack at social functions.

But he didn’t like being idle. He’d recently started some side ventures of his own. No matter what he was busy with, his main focus was always the Sanchez Group’s development plans. He kept a close watch on both the pack and the group.

“Yes, he came back specifically to see you,” Fiona said, patting my hand affectionately.

Back at the open-air banquet area, I saw Leonardo talking with someone in a relatively quiet corner. It was Ryan, whom I’d seen before in a video call from a family dinner. He stood tall and straight. Even with his aura restrained, I could feel the steady authority of a leader from a top werewolf family.

When he saw me approaching, the slight furrow in Leonardo’s brow smoothed out. He immediately came to my side and naturally took my hand. His palm was warm and dry, radiating a reassuring strength.

Feeling a little shy, I lowered my head and greeted Ryan, “Hello, Mr. Ryan Sanchez.”

“Still so formal?” Leonardo’s low voice sounded near my ear, carrying a hint of unnoticed

amusement.

I paused, my cheeks warming, and obediently corrected myself, “Hello, Ryan.”

This form of address seemed to momentarily stump the usually stern Ryan. A flicker of bemusement crossed his resolute face, then a genuine smile tugged at the corners of his eyes and mouth.

“Natalie, I finally meet you in person,” he said, his gaze calm as he looked me over. It didn’t feel scrutinizing, but more like satisfaction. “You look even better than on video. Good.”

Then, he directly pulled out a key from his pocket, bearing the Rolls-Royce Flying Lady

emblem.

He said gently, “I came back in a hurry and didn prepare much. This is a limited edition model I ordered. Consider it a meeting gift. I hope you like it.”

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