Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138

A soft snort escaped from my side, breaking the quiet hum of the boutique. I glanced over to see Gavin pressing his lips together, clearly fighting back a laugh. He seemed completely at ease with being mistaken for my trophy boyfriend, and the amused sparkle in his eyes only made him look more radiant.

The sales clerk, a poised woman who had likely witnessed countless dramas among the wealthy elite, smiled politely. “Um… Your boyfriend is quite handsome. Honestly, I’ve never seen a man this good looking before,” she said, her tone steady but sincere.

I noticed Gavin’s grin widen at her words, a glow spreading across his face that made him almost magnetic. The clerk’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and a few well-dressed ladies nearby began stealing glances in our direction. I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of pride. My “trophy boy” was definitely turning heads.

“Please, show us the new suits,” I said, trying to sound casual but secretly enjoying the moment. “Money’s no object—I just want whatever fits him best.”

The clerk led us over to a sleek display of tailored suits. I followed, scanning the options and picking out a dark pinstriped number. “Try this one,” I suggested, holding it up. “I think it’ll suit you.”

Gavin didn’t hesitate. “Alright, I’ll give it a shot.”

His broad shoulders, narrow waist, and tall, straight posture made the suit look even better than the runway model’s. With his sharp features, the outfit seemed custom-made for him. Suddenly, I understood why the wealthy were so willing to splurge on their boy toys.

When it came time to pay, my heart sank a little at the total. Then, Gavin casually picked up a belt and smirked. “Add this. She’s paying.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I said I’d cover one suit.”

He lifted his chin, addressing the clerk with mock seriousness. “Does a belt count as part of a coordinated suit ensemble?”

The tension in the air was palpable, and despite his teasing tone, he was technically right. The saleswoman nodded in agreement. “Yes, it does.”

Resigned, I let him add the belt to the bill, silently cursing myself for being so easy to sway.

After leaving the boutique, we headed to the food court for dinner. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the clatter of trays and low chatter. I noticed several women casting furtive glances our way—eight out of ten eyes were on Gavin.

Dressed casually in relaxed clothes, he looked like the untouchable heartthrob of a university campus rather than the cold, distant man I usually knew. The contrast was striking. A group of girls nearby seemed to be gathering courage, whispering and glancing over as if debating whether to approach him.

Before anyone could make a move, a familiar voice cut through the noise. “Elara?”

Elias’s eyes crinkled with gentle amusement as he smoothly steered the conversation toward work. “So, what did you think of that research angle I messaged you about earlier?”

I had only skimmed it after Gavin woke me up, but now my mind started working through the details. “I saw it. It has potential, but maybe we could adjust the dosage a bit…”

Suddenly, a sweet, cloying voice interrupted us. “Clara? Elias? It really is you!”

Amelia stood nearby, her arm linked with Zane’s. She glanced back at him, her tone dripping with implication. “I said you and Elias were close. You didn’t believe me.”

Zane’s face was carefully neutral, but I caught the flicker of surprise in his eyes. He hadn’t expected to find me dining privately with Elias.

His voice was firm, brooking no argument. “Elara. Come with me. Now.”

Not wanting to cause a scene in front of Elias, I reluctantly pushed my chair back and followed Zane out of the restaurant.

Once we were alone in the quiet hallway, his calm shattered. His eyes turned icy cold as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the elevators. “You’re coming home with me.”