Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188 I’ll Just Resign!

Leonardo’s POV:

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I said, “Supporting the Richardson Group comes at no real cost to the Scott Group. But having Landon constantly around the Scott Group, crossing paths with you, will inevitably lead to gossip.”

It wouldn’t cause real harm, but the insult was potent. My words laid bare Samuel’s dirty plan. Samuel didn’t expect one thing to break Natalic, but his underhanded tactics would keep coming.

“What’s your plan?” I asked.

The only way to deal with them was to play it by ear. But I was confident they wouldn’t dare touch Natalie in front of me. They could only resort to low-level tricks. Natalie could handle those herself.

Sure enough, as I finished speaking, a smile tugged at Natalie’s lips. “Since they’re so fond of the Richardson Group, let’s wish them a happy partnership.”

“Do you need me to do anything?” I saw the glint in her eyes and immediately understood. I laced my fingers through hers, my thumb stroking the diamond ring on her finger.

Natalie chuckled. She leaned sideways, resting her head on my shoulder, and whispered a few words into my ear.

After hearing her whisper, my expression didn’t change much. But I smiled slightly, and my gaze softened. “Okay.”

Natalie’s POV:

After showers, we fell asleep in each other’s arms. Looking at Leonardo’s broad chest, I felt a little restless. Time flew. It felt like we’d just met, yet our scents were already etched into each other’s bones. Faced with a male with a strong body like this, how could I not be tempted?

But Leonardo always managed to just hold me while we slept, every night. Even out of respect, his self-control was almost too good.

“Leonardo? Are you asleep?” I looked at his closed eyes, his breathing even, and whispered. His eyelashes were very long, especially noticeable in the faint night light.

He didn’t respond. Carefully, I reached out a finger. Just as I was about to touch his eyelashes, Leonardo’s eyes snapped open.

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18:15 Mon, Jan 5

Chapter 188 I’ll Just Resign!

“What is it?” he asked.

“I wanted to count your eyelashes,” I said.

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Leonardo looked at me. His eyes held no trace of sleep, clear and alert as if he’d seen right through me.

“Count eyelashes?” He repeated softly, his voice trailing off with an amused huskiness. “Just counting eyelashes isn’t enough. Do you want to know every single part of me?”

Hearing the teasing in his voice, my cars grew hot. I tried to pull my hand back, but he pulled me tighter against him. His body heat seeped through our thin pajamas, warming my skin.

“I have an important trip next week.” His lips were almost touching my ear, his breath hot. “About a week.”

I stiffened slightly, feeling an inexplicable emptiness inside. “That long?”

“Wait for me to come back,” Leonardo continued, his voice low and certain. “Then we’ll hold the mate bonding ceremony.”

His palm smoothed over my back, carrying a clear promise and restrained desire. “When that time comes, I won’t give you any chances to count eyelashes.”

His words were gentle, but they landed heavily on my heart. I understood his meaning. I lowered my head, too shy to know what to say, and simply murmured, “Okay.”

Lily’s POV:

In the morning, I got a call from my brother, Harry. His school was refusing his enrollment because of our family background.

I had already spent a lot of money to get him in. Harry had tested into the best middle school in Maritime City. Giving up this spot would make future exams and school admissions much harder.

Right then, a text came in from Samuel. He asked if I was having trouble and said he could help.

I knew Harry’s situation was connected to Samuel. My first instinct was to go straight to Natalie.

But Samuel seemed prepared. He intercepted me in the elevator bank.

He said, “Lily, do you really think Natalie can save you? You have no backing. Natalie can help

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18:15 Mon, Jan 5

Chapter 188 I’ll Just Resign!

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you temporarily, but not for a lifetime. Do you want to depend on Natalie forever? Do you not care about your brother’s future? What about your mother’s illness?”

Samuel’s threat was clear. First, it was Harry. Next would be my mother.

In Maritime City, Moon-Shadowed Pack’s influence ran deep. Even though Natalie had some authority within the pack, if Samuel decided to use underhanded methods, I might not be ab to protect against them.

I stated, “I can’t betray Natalic. I’ll resign instead!”

“Suit yourself,” Samuel smiled dismissively. “I’m not as scary as you think. I just have one small request. Do this for me, and I promise I’ll leave you alone after.”

Samuel wanted some data from a project Natalie had recently taken over.

As the team leader and Natalie’s most trusted subordinate, I often helped her copy files. I was the only one who knew her computer password.

But core project data required a security key, so I couldn’t access that.

So Samuel was telling the truth. It really was just data from an ordinary project.

According to Samuel, he wanted the data to help one of Penelope’s contacts compete for a project. It wouldn’t affect Natalie.

But I didn’t trust a single word Samuel said.

I was in Natalie’s office for half an hour. When I came out, I ran right into Natalie.

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