Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 199

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 199**

**Chapter 199**

“Your beloved cousin,” she remarked, her tone as frosty as the expression etched upon her face.

“Gavin orchestrated everything—he was the one who unearthed the evidence and manipulated the situation. I’ve harbored suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his parents’ deaths for years. That’s precisely why he chose to distance himself from the main house; he was stealthily amassing his own power.”

Yet, as ruthless and decisive as Gavin was, he left the Windsor family reeling. There was no room for them to regroup or strategize.

In a mere three years, his influence burgeoned at an alarming rate. By the time Margaret began to grasp the enormity of what was unfolding, he had already seized control of a significant portion of Windsor Group.

After decades of leadership, Margaret found herself cornered into resignation.

She could have resisted, but the consequences would have been dire; Gavin’s other ventures would have swiftly devoured Windsor Group’s shares, obliterating what was once a formidable empire.

It seemed like a choice, yet in reality, escape was not an option.

In that moment, Margaret understood the true nature of the wolf they had nurtured within their ranks.

Theo stood there, struck dumb, his eyes wide in disbelief.

“Gavin? How could it possibly be him? My father was his uncle…”

When the police reopened the investigation, he had pondered every conceivable angle.

He had imagined it could be one of his father’s business adversaries. The thought of Gavin being involved had never even crossed his mind.

Before he could articulate his thoughts, Margaret delivered a shattering revelation. “Your uncle—Gavin’s father—was born of a mistress. An illegitimate son.”

Theo’s mind went blank, a void where understanding should have been.

Years of buried questions suddenly erupted to the surface, demanding answers.

He had often wondered why his grandmother had showered him with affection, why she seemed to harbor an unshakeable resentment towards Gavin, regardless of his actions.

Now, it all made sense.

**Elara’s POV**

Ever since I received the divorce papers, it felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders.

The weight of my previous life had dissipated, allowing a newfound clarity to seep in.

Even my professional life seemed to flourish in the wake of this liberation.

The drug development project was progressing smoothly, and after countless days and nights dedicated to meeting our deadlines, I finally granted the research team a well-deserved day off.

Today, I relished the thought of not having to step foot in the institute. Once I wrapped up my duties at the clinic, I could head straight home and enjoy a moment of peace.

Since the New Year, the number of patients at the clinic had noticeably surged. With the research institute off my agenda for the day, I eagerly accepted as many extra appointments as I could.

As I prepared to leave, I glanced at the clock—it was nearly four in the afternoon.

I had anticipated this conversation ever since I made the decision to divorce Zane, but I hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

Marguerite let out a derisive snort. “This isn’t open for debate. You’ve dined at the Windsor family table and enjoyed our support for years. Don’t you think it’s time you gave something back?”

I clenched my fists, fighting against the tide of anger rising within me. “Who do you expect me to marry?”

“The fourth son of the Rodriguez family. He has excellent character and an outstanding family background. You’d be marrying up,” she declared, a rare smile gracing her lips.

“I’ve arranged a meeting with their family tonight. We’ll finalize the details then.”

I nearly burst into laughter at the absurdity of it all.

Excellent character? The only thing remarkable about him was his insatiable appetite for women. He made Theodore look like a paragon of virtue. Just being in the same room with him felt like a risky endeavor, as if one could catch something merely by gazing in his direction.

And as for his “outstanding family background”? Sure, the Rodriguez family might have been affluent in New York, but he was not. His mother had been a prostitute who clung to her life after giving birth to him, refusing to leave the shadows of her past.

The matriarch of the Rodriguez family pretended to tolerate her presence, but eventually, a “tragic fire” had turned the woman to ashes.

The fourth son had survived purely by chance, yet his face bore the scars of misfortune.

Old lady Windsor had clearly racked her brain, searching tirelessly for someone who could potentially ruin my life. I could only imagine the days she spent sifting through every “eligible” bachelor to unearth this disaster.

How… considerate of her.

The corner of my mouth twitched in amusement. I was done being the compliant little lamb. “Not a chance.”