Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie and Landon) novel Chapter 28

**Chapter 28: Offering a Solution**

**Natalie’s POV:**

“But…” the manager’s voice faltered, a hint of desperation creeping in, “this seat has been reserved for our esteemed guest of honor. He is expected to arrive at any moment. Please, I implore you, don’t make this any more difficult for someone like me, a humble manager.”

As I stood my ground, the tension in the air thickened, and I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on us. Leaving or remaining both felt like surrendering, a loss in its own right. Eleanor, standing nearby, wore a smug smile that seemed to radiate triumph. She leaned in, her voice dripping with condescension, “Some people just have to push things too far. They end up ensnaring themselves and dragging their entire family into embarrassment.”

Her words were incendiary, igniting whispers among the gathered crowd. Many seemed to believe I should simply concede and save face. The thought of being forcibly removed or, worse, creating a scene by stubbornly refusing to budge was almost unbearable.

I forced a smile, straightening my posture as I gathered my thoughts. In that critical moment, my werewolf instincts kicked in, allowing me to remain calm under pressure.

“Large events can have their oversights,” I said, my voice steady yet gentle enough to be heard by all.

As I surveyed the manager, his pale complexion betraying his growing anxiety, my tone shifted, firming with authority. “However, I am seated here today as the full representative of the Scott Group. My presence here is not just a matter of convenience; it concerns the dignity of the Moon-Shadowed Pack.”

“First, you misplaced my name card. Now, because of an important guest who hasn’t even arrived yet, you expect me, the heir of the Scott family, to vacate my seat for a last-minute alternative? Is it your belief that the honor of the Scott family can be so casually dismissed?”

A collective gasp echoed in the room, as the weight of my words sank in. No one dared to underestimate the influence of the Scott family, and upon reflection, it became evident that the organizers had indeed acted with disrespect.

The manager was visibly sweating, his hands trembling slightly. As he opened his mouth to explain, I pressed on, leaving no room for rebuttal. “As for the distinguished guest who is on his way, I can only assume his intention is goodwill. If, due to your oversight, he ends up with a reputation for ‘fighting the heir of the Scott family for a seat,’ I doubt that is a scenario he would welcome, nor is it particularly hospitable.”

I laid the truth bare before them. The root of the error lay with the organizers, and they could not shift the blame onto me or the unseen guest.

Eleanor sneered from her position, clearly eager to see how I would navigate this challenge. Would I be able to compel the organizers to relinquish the reserved seat?

I turned my attention back to the manager, softening my tone slightly, as if offering a lifeline. “Actually, resolving this matter is quite simple.”

“Oh? How?” he asked, skepticism lacing his words.

Before I could respond, a deep, resonant voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd, commanding attention. “How?”

Everyone turned in unison, their eyes widening in surprise.

There stood Leonardo, impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit that emphasized his tall, athletic frame. He moved with a grace that demanded respect, his assistant Aaron at his side. The two men exuded an aura of undeniable authority, but it was Leonardo who seemed to freeze the very air in the banquet hall. The powerful presence of a top-tier Alpha enveloped the space, and instinctively, everyone held their breath.

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on me. Those deep, penetrating eyes held a glimmer of scrutiny, mixed with an almost playful amusement.

It was him!

Liam, who had returned to the edge of the hall unnoticed, watched me hold my ground against Leonardo, the center of attention. His tense expression softened slightly, and a flicker of approval danced in his eyes.

**Leonardo’s POV:**

My gaze remained fixed on Natalie, seated in the place intended for me. As the mixed-blood daughter of Alexander, the new heir to the Moon-Shadowed Pack, she appeared even more vibrant than the photographs suggested. There was no trace of the panic I expected; instead, she exuded a calm alertness and resilience, reminiscent of a wild cub ready to face the world. It was intriguing.

I listened intently as she dissected the situation with clear logic, proposing the “add a seat” solution. I had to concede that she was sharp and resourceful. Under such pressure, she had quickly identified the key to breaking the deadlock, transforming the organizers’ blunder into a resolution that seemingly benefited everyone involved. Such eloquence and internal strength were rare, especially for someone of her status.

I could have easily insisted she leave. No one would have batted an eye. But that would have painted me, the head of the Sanchez family, as petty, squabbling with a junior over a seat. Her solution, bold yet dignified, provided an elegant escape from the situation.

I regarded her for a long moment, allowing a slight smile to curve my lips.

“Then we shall proceed as Ms. Anderson suggests,” I stated, my tone even and measured, betraying little of my thoughts. Yet, my mere acceptance of her proposal was enough to make the organizers breathe a sigh of relief, as if they had been granted a reprieve.

“Right away! We will add a seat for Mr. Sanchez!” The manager’s voice trembled with relief, his eyes wide with gratitude.

**Natalie’s POV:**

Moments later, a server approached, respectfully adding a seat right next to mine. After an agonizingly tense interlude, the banquet finally commenced in earnest. I could still sense the weight of the gazes upon me, but they no longer bore doubt or disdain. Instead, they were filled with curiosity, surprise, and even a hint of admiration.