Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 278

Chapter 278 Distance and Wariness

Samuel’s POV:

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“Do you even have any taste? This cologne is… expensive.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. I sounded like a kid throwing a tantrum. I took my jacket back, a nagging doubt creeping in. Did my cologne really smell that bad?

I offered to drive her home. She refused immediately. My competitive streak flared, and I even promised I wouldn’t lay a finger on her, just to get her to agree. She finally got in the car, though she seemed reluctant.

The whole ride, I couldn’t stop looking at her. She really was… tempting tonight, tempting enough to catch my attention.

But if I actually touched Lily, Natalie would have my head. And Lily… She wasn’t the type you could just start something with and casually drop. I could feel it. Thinking about it was a hassle. It seemed I wouldn’t be able to taste her so easily.

The car was silent. I turned on some music.

Lily’s POV:

I stared out the window. In the glass’ reflection, I could see Samuel stealing glances at me.

He had sharp, distinct features. Actually, he was quite handsome. But to me, that face would always be a damn nuisance.

Samuel turned on the music and hummed along. He was singing a foreign song, his pronunciation perfect, his voice deep and magnetic-almost as good as the original artist. He sang for a while, but I gave him no reaction.

“Lily,” Samuel finally said.

“Hmm?” I didn’t look at him.

“Was I any good?” he asked.

We were stopped at a red light. Samuel had one hand on the wheel, the other touching the tip of his nose.

A faint smile touched my lips. The male was displaying himself for the female. I didn’t answer directly. “I like men like Mr. Sanchez.”

Samuel frowned and shot me a look. “Hey, I asked if my singing was good.”

I finally turned to face him. “Mr. Scott, you followed me here and got me out of a tight spot, and you’re trying so hard to get my attention. Doesn’t that mean you’re interested? But I’ve said it before-you and I ‘aren’t the same kind of people. I could never be your fling or your… friend with benefits.”

Samuel’s POV:

“Since when did I say I wanted to…” Her words left me speechless. But then I reconsidered. She was hinting

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Chapter 278 Distance and Wariness

at something. She didn’t want a short-term thing. What about long-term? Was she testing me?

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I chuckled, “Lily, tell me then. What do you like about Leonardo? He’s just got a slightly better background, and he’s… a tiny bit better-looking than me.”

“You wouldn’t understand,” she said, her chin lifting slightly with a strange pride. “Mr. Sanchez has many qualities. But his loyalty and sense of responsibility alone are rare in this world.”

Loyalty? Responsibility? The words pricked my heart. My pheromones spiked uncontrollably for a second. filling the car with the oppressive feel of a challenged Alpha. But I reined it in immediately.

Jealousy? Was I actually jealous? Over a Beta female, I’d only planned to have some fun with?

The rest of the drive passed in silence. I didn’t speak again until we reached her apartment building. She unbuckled her seatbelt but didn’t get out right away. Instead, she turned to me, her voice softer than before. “Mr. Scott, about tonight, thank you. Actually, if you could just stop picking on people and doing those bad things, you’d be quite…”

She trailed off. I leaned closer, studying her face in the dim car light. Her features looked exquisite in the shadows, her eyes gleaming.

“Quite what?” My voice dropped lower without me meaning it to. My breath was close to her lips, intimate and teasing.

She gave a soft laugh, and there was something in that smile that made my heart skip a beat.

“Quite… a decent person.” With that, she pushed the door open and disappeared into the apartment lobby. “Quite…

Natalie’s POV:

I stayed late at the Scott Group, not because I was swamped, but because I hadn’t been able to focus all day.

Leonardo had called once. When I said I was busy, he didn’t press, but I could tell he wasn’t happy.

After all, I was the one who’d said I’d take time off to be with him, and I still hadn’t made good on it.

He texted when it got late, “Still at the office?”

My finger hovered over the screen. Leonardo’s message stirred up my already mixed-up feelings. I didn’t know how to reply.

But this time, I was genuinely upset. I knew a few words mumbled in sleep didn’t mean anything. I wanted to let it go, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling.

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to tell Leonardo I was angry.

I knew exactly how he’d react-concerned, guilty, endless apologies.

Besides, even if Victoria did hold some place in his heart, he’d never admit it out loud, would he?

I hesitated for a long time before finally packing up to leave. But as soon as I opened my office door, I

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Chapter 278 Distance and Wariness

found Chloe standing there.

I didn’t know how long she’d been waiting, her figure hidden in the darkness.

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The motion-activated lights flicked on as I stepped out, illuminating her sharply defined face-that face that always seemed to wear an expression of distance and wariness.

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