Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 207

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 207**

I didn’t take the coffee offered to me, nor did I agree to any terms. Instead, I replied with a flat, unwavering tone, “If you want in, show me some real skill first.”

I wasn’t about to let anyone ride on my coattails.

Leopold’s face lit up with an almost childlike glee. “Yes, of course! Anything you need, just say the word.” His enthusiasm was palpable, but I remained indifferent.

Today, Elias was running behind schedule, so Caius had stepped in to assist me.

As I moved through the experiment, my actions were deliberate, each gesture honed to perfection, as if I had rehearsed them countless times in my mind. Every motion was fluid, a dance I had practiced in silence.

Caius, on the other hand, was clearly struggling to keep pace with my rhythm. “Sorry, Team Lead Windsor,” he admitted, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice. “My skills… aren’t quite there yet. I’ll hand off to Elias as soon as he arrives.”

“It’s fine,” I reassured him, not wanting to discourage his efforts. “Everyone starts somewhere.”

I reflected on my own journey, the countless hours spent under my mentor’s watchful eye, shaping me into the professional I had become.

If Colton had heard me acknowledge that, I could imagine the swell of pride in his chest.

After all, I had always possessed a natural talent for this work. While others toiled to climb from zero to a hundred, I had always soared from ninety to one hundred and fifty.

The lab consumed my day, the hours slipping away as I lost myself in my tasks, too preoccupied even to pause for lunch.

It wasn’t until I was finally wrapping things up that the gnawing hunger hit me.

With Chloe away, the thought of dining out didn’t appeal to me. I decided it was best to return home and boil another batch of ravioli.

I snatched my phone and bag, making my way down to the underground garage where my car awaited.

The Windsor Corporation building stood as a testament to luxury, constructed with no expense spared and maintained with meticulous care. Its garage was anything but ordinary—bright and inviting, illuminated by dazzling LED lights that chased away shadows.

Security cameras adorned the walls, their watchful eyes promising safety.

I had always felt secure in this space.

But today, as I stepped out of the elevator lobby, an unsettling darkness enveloped me. Only the faint glow of emergency lights flickered in the distance, casting eerie shadows around the expansive garage.

The post-rush-hour stillness rendered the space desolate, amplifying my unease.

Yet, the blinking red lights of the cameras overhead provided a modicum of reassurance. Windsor Group security was top-tier, after all.

“Miss Windsor, is it?”

Just as I reached my car, two imposing figures emerged from a black van parked ominously nearby. “Someone paid us to take you out.”

Before I could process their words, my vision faded to black.

I came to with a splitting headache, the sensation of movement surrounding me. My hands and feet were bound, a chilling realization settling in.

The unease in his assistant’s voice was palpable. Zane could handle himself, true, but if the kidnappers were prepared, walking in solo was a perilous gamble.

As the elevator doors slid open, Zane stepped inside, his tone frosty.

“You think they’d dare touch me?”

It was clear this situation wasn’t about him at all.

They were after Elara.

“I’m still worried…”

“Instead of worrying,” Zane interrupted, a chill hanging in the air, “use that time to track Amelia’s movements over the past few days.”

Just as the elevator reached the underground parking level, the doors opened, and Amélia rushed toward him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Zane! Zane, you have to help Max!”

“Help Max?” Zane’s brow furrowed slowly, concern etching deeper lines on his face. “What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s been kidnapped!” Her voice was frantic, her eyes red and wild, words tumbling out in a frantic rush. “S-someone just called… they said I have to come alone to get him back…”

Zane locked onto the crucial detail. “Where?”