Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 234

Chapter 234

“It’s… hard to say,” I hedged.

I had a pretty good idea Margaret wanted to use my connection with Gavin for something.

I just didn’t know what yet. But I was sure it was something way over my head.

Only I knew the real nature of my relationship with Gavin now. It was me listening to him, not the other way around. I wasn’t a kid anymore. 1 knew my place.

But I couldn’t let Margaret see that.

As long as she thought there was a chance, she’d hold back just a little. Like tonight.

If she didn’t think things with Gavin were somewhat back on track, she wouldn’t have just threatened me over the phone. She’d have sent someone to drag me from Windsor Group by force.

As my thoughts settled, I looked up and met Vera ‘s gaze directly.

Before I could read her expression, the Dowager Windsor spoke again, unhurried. “In that case, find an opportunity in the next couple of days to see Gavin. Mention his marriage to Vera.”

Even Vera seemed caught off guard.

Me? Convince Gavin to agree to the marriage?

I pretended not to understand. “Marriage is a serious matter. That’s for you to discuss with him. I’m younger than him; it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to bring it up.”

Knowing Gavin, if he didn’t want to marry someone, no one could force him. Besides, it was obvious Margaret was turning to me because she’d hit a wall–meaning Gavin had already refused, point–blank.

I wasn’t about to walk into that minefield.

Margaret’s slightly clouded eyes narrowed, her displeasure now plain on her face. A cold smile touched her lips.

“So now that you have someone backing you, you think you’ve grown wings? After all these years I’ve spent raising you…”

“Grandmother,” I said, my voice softening. I didn’t have the energy for a full–blown confrontation right now.

It would only mean more trouble for me. I put on my best ‘trying–to–be–reasonable‘ face.

“It’s true, things between us are better than they were, but you know how he is. After how coldly he cast me aside back then, you really think he’d still bend over backwards for me like he used to?”

I let out a sigh, feigning resignation.

“At most, he’s just got a new whim. I’m not even taking it seriously, so you probably shouldn’t either.”

As I spoke, I heard a faint noise from the doorway.

I glanced back just in time to see one of the old lady’s free–roaming cats dart past. It startled me.

For a second, I’d felt the sharp, piercing weight of a gaze, and my heart had jumped into my throat–I’d almost thought it was him.

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Betrayed ? Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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My words, however, seemed to have landed with Margaret.

Still, she’d summoned me here; she wasn’t about to let me off the hook that easily. “Just try. Find a way to bring it up with him.”

I could almost hear her unspoken thought: Might as well give it a shot. Who knows, that impossible bastard might actually listen to her for once.

I lowered my lashes and nodded, the picture of obedience. “Fine. I’ll find an opportunity to mention it.”

Having gotten what she wanted, Margaret, for once, didn’t press further.

After dinner, I made my escape. I was almost out of the old manor when Vera ‘s voice stopped me.

I turned to face her. “You want me to talk to Gavin, too?”

“I just wanted to ask why you agreed to the old lady’s request,” she said.

She’d apparently come to visit Margaret at her parents‘ bidding, completely unaware this ambush was waiting.

And she seemed genuinely puzzled that I’d capitulated.

“I’m not actually going to talk to Gavin about it,” I said bluntly. “I only agreed in there to placate her. Don’t take it seriously.”

If I’d outright refused, it would have meant hours of kneeling on that hard floor.

My knees weren’t that much of a masochist. Anyway, my little speech had already dashed most of Margaret’s hopes. In a couple of days, I’d just tell her Gavin wouldn’t listen to me.

The whole thing would blow over. The old lady wasn’t foolish enough to go and verify it with Gavin himself.

Vera clearly hadn’t expected me–so docile moments before–to lay my cards on the table like this.

She studied me for a long moment, then a slow smile spread across her face. “You really are… a lot like him.”

I had no idea how to respond to that.

I pressed my lips together. “It’s getting late. I should head back.” Chloe was returning tomorrow, and I needed to be up early to pick her up from

the airport.

Just as I turned to leave, Vera spoke again, her voice laced with what sounded like relief.

“Elara, I know perfectly well he won’t marry me.”

I froze.

She continued, a wry, accepting smile on her lips. “Ile’s in love with someone else. And I’m not her.”

I was stunned for a second. “Why are you telling me this…?”