Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 174

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 174**

**Chapter 174**

I had finally unraveled the enigma that was Victoria. Deep down, she was no different from the old woman at the Windsor estate—manipulative and self-serving.

Our relationship had already soured, and I knew that Victoria wouldn’t genuinely feel indebted to me just because I had relented this one time. In her world, the submission of the weak was expected, a norm that went unchallenged.

So, I pondered, why should I yield to her whims?

At this moment, Victoria was on edge, her wariness of Zane keeping her from making any rash moves against me. She seemed to believe that by lowering her head, I should immediately comply with her wishes. The surprise on her face when I not only refused to play her game but openly defied her was palpable.

Her fury erupted like a volcano. She slammed her palm on the desk, the sound reverberating in the tense air. “Elara, are you truly so oblivious to your own position? After everything that transpired last time, do you really think you have the right to oppose me?”

I kept my voice steady, carefully measured. “But in this instance, you are the one seeking a favor from me.”

I needed to address the divorce with Zane without delay. The idea of continuing to play the role of the Second Young Madam of the Grayson family was no longer appealing to me; I was done with that charade.

The calmness with which I stated my intentions only served to infuriate Victoria even more. Just as she seemed poised to strike the desk again, a knock at the door interrupted the escalating tension.

Zane entered, striding confidently to my side. He took hold of my wrist, a protective gesture, and turned to Victoria. “From now on, anything you wish to discuss can be directed at me. Don’t take your frustrations out on her.”

Victoria’s expression twisted into one of disdain. “Are you out of your mind?” she scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm. “You defend her like this, but do you even have a clue what she’s really thinking?!”

-She’s contemplating divorce.

I met her glare with unwavering resolve, refusing to be intimidated.

If she wanted to be the one to reveal my thoughts, then so be it.

Zane pressed his lips into a thin line, the weight of his past decisions evident on his face. “I failed her before. Whatever she’s contemplating is entirely justified.”

He paused, then added with a sense of finality, “I’m taking her back to the Windsor estate now.”

Victoria shot me a venomous look, her eyes narrowing. “She’s just some girl who doesn’t even hold a proper status in that family. Why do you need to accompany her back for Christmas?”

That was a fair point.

In previous years, I had always returned to the Windsor estate alone.

“She’s reconciled with Gavin,” Zane stated, his words cutting through Victoria’s fury like a hot knife through butter.

In an instant, her demeanor shifted dramatically. “Fine. If you’re going, you should leave early. It is her family home, after all.”

In her past, she had been deceived, cast into the role of the other woman. The son she bore was raised in the main Windsor household, calling Margaret “Mother.”

To this day, Margaret was still acknowledged as the grandmother of her own grandson.

And Eleanor? She had lingered in the shadows, unseen and unacknowledged.

A serene smile finally graced her lips, one filled with acceptance. “I did. But I’ve let all of that go now. My only wish is for you to find peace and happiness.”

Her heart’s desire was simple: for her beloved grandson to discover a good woman and settle down, to carve out a life filled with joy.

**Elara’s POV**

When Zane and I arrived at Windsor Manor, the reception hall was alive with energy and laughter.

My aunts had returned, and children were darting around the garden, their excitement palpable—the holiday spirit was unmistakably in the air.

Seeing Zane at my side this time seemed to have a positive effect; even the Windsor butler greeted us with a genuine smile as he ushered us inside. “It’s been far too long since we’ve seen you, Zane.”

“In the past…” Zane deftly redirected the conversation, “Things were chaotic. I couldn’t give Elara the attention she deserved. I know she’s had to bear the weight of that more than once. I assure you, it won’t happen again.”