Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 279

Chapter 279 No Complaints

Natalie’s POV:

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“What are you still doing here? Did your first day go okay?” I walked toward Chloe, asking the question out of habit. My voice held a tiredness I hadn’t even noticed.

Chloe nodded. “It went fine. Everyone was very nice.”

“Well, there’s onboarding training. Don’t feel pressured,” I said, offering some casual reassurance. “Leaving together?”

Chloe gave a quiet nod and fell into step beside me, though she didn’t say much. We got into the elevator together.

The office was empty by now. Since Chloe and I worked on different floors, she must have come here specifically to see me.

But my own mood wasn’t great, so I stayed quiet. My mind was still stuck on Leonardo and Victoria.

Maybe because I’d been reading so much about Victoria lately, I’d just gotten a news alert on my phone.

O

It was about a livestream she did before leaving the country, which was now trending.

She had announced she was leaving today to do children’s charity work for Faeloria.

Conditions in Faeloria were tough, and charity work there was draining and time-consuming.

Victoria didn’t know when she’d be back, and she said she’d be taking a break from streaming. Her fans were flooding the comments with heartbreak and support.

The public opinion Leonardo had stirred up earlier had hurt her. Many followers had demanded answers, and a small wave of criticism had surfaced, questioning if she’d been involved with a married man.

Victoria never directly addressed it. But by announcing this new work plan, her actions spoke louder than words, instantly winning back her fans’ support.

Her livestream this morning had even won over some neutral viewers.

Online, people judged others by actions, not intentions. No matter how murky the rumors about her love life were, as long as she kept doing charity, the support would keep coming.

Reading this news, I couldn’t help but think of Leonardo

Victoria had left the country this morning.

Could that be why Leonardo had been so down last night?

Did he know?

“There’s a bar nearby. Want to go with me?” Chloe asked as the elevator doors opened.

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19:54 Mon, Jan 19 GT..

Chapter 279 No Complaints.

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I was caught off guard. “Why the sudden invite?” Wasn’t she the one who told me to keep my distance?

“It’s my first day. My way of saying thanks,” she said. She paused, her eyes flicking to the phone I was clutching tightly. “Also, you don’t look so good, Staying at work this late… Did you fight with your bonded mate?”

Her words weren’t the least bit gentle. They were sharp and a little scary. I let out a helpless, bitter laugh. “No. Just tired from work.”

“Then you should relax even more,” Chloe said. “So, are you coming?”

I checked the time. It was already half past ten in the evening.

“One hour, max.” I conceded.

Before heading out, I texted Leonardo. I told him not to wait up, that I was meeting a friend and would be back later. He replied with a single “Okay” almost instantly-no questions, no complaints. It left a strange, hollow feeling in my chest.

I knew I should feel guilty that he was waiting for me. But thinking about Victoria made my heart uncomfortable.

O

I needed to sort out my mood first. That way, I wouldn’t go home and let Leonardo see something was wrong and worry.

The bar was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of alcohol, wood, and mingling werewolf pheromones. Chloe chose a booth in the corner, away from the crowd. We ordered drinks—a low-proof cocktail for me, and a non-alcoholic one for her.

“Natalie, why did you help me?” She got straight to the point, her gaze sharp.

I looked at Chloe. In the low light, her delicate face had a soft, hazy beauty.

“You’ve asked me that. And I told you. The Scott Group needs talent,” I said flatly, my attention drifting to the diamond ring on my finger.

“Was it just you wanting to help? Or… did someone else say something to you?” she pressed further.

Chloe’s POV:

Natalie was a decent person, but we weren’t close. She wouldn’t just think of me out of the blue.

I already had a guess, actually.

Maybe some things were better left unsaid, but I couldn’t let it go. I needed to know for sure.

“Fine,” Natalie said, giving in to my persistence. “Why ask when you already know the answer? Since you don’t want to owe a favor, and he doesn’t want you to feel like you do, just drop it. Overthinking it now is pointless. Your main goal is to get out from under the Kelly family. Now that you have a target, you need to be brave and grow up.”

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19:54 Mon, Jan 19 G

Chapter 279 No Complaints

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Her words had a lecturing tone, but I didn’t mind. I was used to hearing worse. Natalie’s earnest advice actually felt kind of warm.

I picked up my non-alcoholic drink and took a big sip. “It was Liam, wasn’t it? He’s that eager to repay the favor?”

Natalie nodded. “He asked me not to say. Just keep it to yourself.”

Confirming it didn’t bring the peace I expected. A wave of emotion still came over me. “He’s so full of himself.”

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