Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 235

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Chapter 235

“I just wanted to say,” she said, tilting her head, “that I won’t be asking you about Gavin’s private affairs anymore.”

Her smile turned genuine. “And maybe… we have a chance to be friends.”

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

“Don’t tell me just because I’m like him, you’ve decided to set your sights on me instead?”

It wasn’t just our personalities. Apparently, my mouth was on the same infuriating level as his, too.

Vera shook her head, laughing softly. “You can rest easy on that front.”

Outside Windsor Manor, I’d just said goodbye to Vera and was heading to my car when a familiar sedan pulled up beside me.

Neil got out and opened the rear passenger door for me, giving me a look that clearly said, Good luck, you’ll need it. “Give me your keys, Miss Elara. I’ll drive your car back.” That way, I’d have it to use in the morning.

“Okay. Thanks, Neil.” A sense of foreboding crept over me, but I handed him the keys anyway, then bent to get into the car.

I hadn’t even settled into my seat before I could feel the waves of displeasure rolling off the man beside me.

I turned my head, met the chill in his eyes, and instantly understood.

That noise at the dining room door hadn’t been a stray cat.

It had been a stray, and very pissed–off, man.

I didn’t wait for him to speak.

I launched into an explanation, my tone utterly earnest.

“I only agreed to Grandma’s request on the surface. I never actually planned to interfere with you and Vera…”

I naturally didn’t add that I’d been coerced by the threat. After all, no matter how strained Gavin’s relationship with the old lady was, she was still his grandmother.

And I was just an outsider.

But before I could even finish my sentence, he cut me off, his voice icy.

“Of course,” he said, his lips curling into a mocking smile. “Why would you dare interfere in the affairs of a heartless man like me?‘

A shiver ran down my spine.

But I didn’t feel guilty. I met his dark, piercing gaze head–on. “Was I wrong?”

All those words he’d said to me over the years were still etched vividly in my mind.

I did think he was heartless.

I did think his interest was fleeting!

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Betrayed ? I Ungraded to His Billionaire Prother

I didn’t dare for a single second take his current attitude seriously!

I’d thought bringing this up again wouldn’t stir much emotion in me, but right now, I just felt a sharp pang of hurt.

Gavin watched me quietly, then conceded, his tone shifting.

“You weren’t wrong. So, what do you want to do about it?”

His words didn’t feel like genuine agreement at all. It sounded like the condescending placation of someone in a position of power.

It made me so angry I could almost cry. And then, I did. A tear escaped and rolled down my cheek. I swiped at it roughly, my eyes red rimmed as I glared at him.

“If I told you what I wanted, would you even listen?”

Gavin was silent for a few seconds. When he spoke, his voice was softer than I’d ever heard it from him. “Tell me first. I’m listening.”

Hearing the change in his tone, I felt a little braver. “That contract… can we tear it up?”

“No.”

The single word was a cold, hard, unyielding brick wall. It left no room for argument. He might as well have just said, Give it up. Not a chance in hell.

Seeing the ‘I knew it‘ look in my eyes, his jaw tightened, frustration clear. “Weren’t you the one who told the old lady I was just acting on a new whim?”

he bit out, throwing my own words back at me.

“Well then, you can just wait. Wait until this whim of mine wears off, and then I’ll let you go.”

I stared at him, playing along with his twisted logic. “And how long is this whim of yours planning to last this time?”

“Hard to say.” His gaze dropped, pinning me in place.

“A person’s willpower tends to get stronger with age. Last time it was nine years. This time, it might be twenty. Thirty. Fifty.”

A lifetime.

He wanted to tie me to him for life!

I wasn’t sure when exactly he’d gotten this idea, but I was crystal clear on one thing: he’d definitely heard every word I’d said back in the main

house.

He was holding a grudge. Again.

I took a deep, steadying breath. “Fine. Have it your way. See if I care. Just have the guts to never get married, then. Never be with the girl you actually love.”

His eyebrow quirked. “The girl I love?”

“That’s right.” As I spoke, my eyes flicked instinctively toward his suit pants pocket.

Vera ‘s words to me just now, combined with her question that day in the tea shop about the photo in his wallet…

My mind connected the dots.

Leded to His Billionaire Brother

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Chapter 235

It had to be the same girl both times.

After all, for all his cold–heartedness, Gavin wasn’t a player.

Gavin looked at me, a strange, unreadable expression flashing in his eyes.

He seemed like he was about to say something, but then he just… didn’t.

He closed his mouth and turned his head away, leaving me with nothing but his profile and a silence that screamed louder than any confession

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