Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 153

Chapter 153 Could You Be Mistaken?

Natalie’s POV:

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The dinner officially began. Penelope and Matthew warmly ushered the Sanchez family to the main table. Penelope was much more friendly to me than during our last meeting, as if she had completely accepted my status as the Scott family’s heir.

But this excessive familiarity sent a chill down my spine, stirring an instinctive wariness within me. This wasn’t like her. Considering everything that had happened before, I was almost certain that this “family dinner” wouldn’t be smooth sailing.

After the hosts were seated, the invited guests also took their places, Everyone understood perfectly well that the Scott family making such a big production meant there was important news to announce.

Sure enough, after a few pleasantries, Penelope picked up the microphone and steered the topic towards

Leonardo and me.

“Thank you all for coming. Besides catching up, the main purpose tonight is to share some happy news.” She smiled appropriately, her gaze turning towards us, “The Scott family’s heiress, Natalie, and the Sanchez family’s Leonardo have formally gotten engaged recently.”

As her words fell, a wave of congratulatory applause immediately sourided from below. Countless pairs of eyes focused on Leonardo and me, brimming with scrutiny, envy, and that wolfish stare that gauges each other’s power and potential.

I could feel the calmness emanating from Leonardo beside me. His hand on my waist was steady and firm, silently offering support.

However, my gaze inadvertently swept over Victoria, who was not far from the main table. She was turned, looking in our direction. Though I couldn’t see her expression clearly through the crowd, the aura of loneliness and dejection surrounding her was almost tangible. She downed several glasses of wine in quick succession, her movements carrying a trace of disarray.

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“From today on, our two families are one,” Penelope continued, a perfect smile plastered on her face. “In the business world going forward, we hope all our old friends and new partners will offer your support and guidance. Now, let’s have our guest of honor tonight, Natalie, come up and say a few words to everyone!”

She suddenly turned the focus directly onto me, issuing the invitation. I was completely unprepared. But under the watchful eyes of everyone, I couldn’t refuse. I took a deep breath and met Leonardo’s encouraging look. Then I stood up, walked to the center of the gathering, and took the microphone.

But before I could get a word out, a rough middle-aged voice broke the mood.

He said, “Natalie? If I remember correctly, weren’t you Landon’s mate? Just last month, you attended a business gala together, looking so in love. It was admirable. How is it that in the blink of an eye, you’re the Scott family heiress and engaged to Mr. Sanchez?”

His words instantly silenced the entire room. The air felt frozen. All eyes were on me again, this time with shock, doubt, and amused anticipation-like they were waiting for a show.

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Chapter 153 Could You Be Mistaken?

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Whispers immediately erupted throughout the room. Werewolves naturally had sharp senses. And with the recent enhancement of my Alpha bloodline awakening, my hearing had improved further.

These murmurs clearly reached my ears. “Is that true?”

“Is Natalie married to another man?”

“Well, it’s not surprising. Everyone knows she is Alexander’s illegitimate daughter, only recently acknowledged by the Scott family. She’s young, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a past.”

“But how could she be engaged to Leonardo if she already had a bonded mate?”

“The Sanchez family leads a very powerful pack. Any woman entering that family has impeccable character, ability, looks, and lineage.”

“Just this one thing is enough to bring massive shame to the Sanchez family. How could they possibly continue the alliance marriage with her?”

The expressions on Matthew and the Sanchez family members instantly turned grim.

Ryan’s POV:

Miranda, as the lady of the Sanchez family, instinctively moved to rise and do something. But I stopped her. I wanted to see what Natalie would say.

I’d only heard a little about Natalie’s situation from my parents at home and Leonardo. Miranda, being gentle and kind-natured, naturally wouldn’t have investigated Natalie.

But given that Natalie was an illegitimate child, it was normal for her to have some past. However, if she concealed a marriage from my son before binding with him, that was a character flaw, and this alliance marriage could not proceed.

Natalie’s POV:

My heart sank heavily, my fingertips turning icy cold. But I didn’t know how to refute it immediately. What the man said wasn’t entirely false. I didn’t recognize the man who spoke, but he was clearly a pawn arranged by Penelope.

I opened my mouth, my throat tight. How could I explain? Saying that Landon and I were just in a fake mate arrangement? Saying that he and Aaliyah had already secretly completed a mate bond?

I could handle public ridicule, but everyone here was from influential werewolf families and top business circles. If I revealed the past, it would humiliate the Sanchez family too.

Fiona and the others had been so good to me. I really couldn’t bear to disappoint them.

“Is what you’re saying true? Could you be mistaken?” Penelope asked with feigned surprise, actually feeding him the next line.

Sure enough, the man stood up, pulled out his phone, and displayed a video as if he had prepared it in advance. It showed Landon and me together at some business gala. While there were no intimate actions,

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