Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 255

Colton isn’t fond of socializing with strangers either, so he just gave them polite, brief replies.

Chloe had come straight from her law firm and was starving. She headed off to forage at the buffet.

Just as the others were about to disperse, a man’s gaze landed on me. He seemed startled for a moment, then quickly stepped forward with a smile. “Miss Windsor! What a surprise to see you didn’t arrive with Gavin.”

It took me a moment to place him–David, the man we’d met outside the restaurant that day.

Before I could respond, whispers emerged from those nearby. “What’s this lady’s relationship with Mr Windsor…?”

“You don’t know Miss Windsor?” David, no longer seeming deflated about his failed attempt to introduce his daughter to Gavin, now looked rather pleased with his insider knowledge. “This Miss Windsor is Gavin’s…”

To be fair, David was no fool. After Gavin introduced me at the restaurant that day, he hadn’t indicated the information was confidential. So he’d apparently decided it was public knowledge.

But before he could finish his sentence, a figure appeared at the ballroom entrance.

Gavin walked in, wearing a impeccably tailored grey suit that seemed to sharpen his edges. The cuffs of his jacket caught the light, and his long legs were sheathed in perfectly cut trousers. He looked every bit the formidable, aristocratic CEO.

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He strode directly to my side. After greeting Colton, he turned his gaze to me and announced to the room, “She is the guest of honor at tonight’s celebration.” His voice was measured, calm, and carried absolute authority as he introduced me. “She is the lead developer behind our new breakthrough cancer treatment. Elara.”

The room erupted in murmurs of surprise!

She’s so young!!!

But these words came directly from Gavin. They couldn’t be false.

Some of the presidents of other pharmaceutical companies couldn’t help but marvel. “The new generation really is surpassing the old. To achieve at her age what takes most researchers a lifetime… she can’t be more than twenty–five.”

“Exactly,” someone from the Windsor R&D team chimed in, their respect genuine. “Our Group Leader Windsor is truly exceptional. And so dedicated to her research, she practically lives in the lab.”

They admitted they’d doubted me at first. Who wouldn’t? So young, parachuted in to lead the traditional medicine team? Everyone had more experience than me. But in the end, my results had silenced all the skeptics. The era of judging by seniority alone is long gone.

Colton watched the crowd’s shocked and admiring looks directed at his apprentice, his face practically aching from the proud, unwavering smile he’d been wearing all night.

“The successful development of this drug wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my teacher and all my colleagues in the R&D department,” I said, seeming oblivious to the intense focus. I addressed the room with effortless grace. “When the drug launches and we hold the official press conference, you are all most welcome to attend.”

“Of course, of course!”

“Miss Windsor, such remarkable achievements at such a young age!”

“Miss Windsor, I’m the CEO of Rendé Bio. Here’s my card…”

Before I could say much more, many people proactively started conversations with me.

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Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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Chapter 255

In this moment, it was all because I am Elara.

All those powerful business and political figures, the kind whose eyes would normally slide right over someone ordinary, had their attention firmly fixed on me.

Being the lead developer of a breakthrough cancer drug was enough to make anyone take notice.

And the fact that I’m only twenty–five?

My path is still long. No one can even imagine how high I might climb.

If they weren’t going to try and get on my good side now, then when?

I’d been in the ballroom for what felt like ages, navigating wave after wave of well–wishers and schmoozers, before I finally managed to slip away to the restroom for a breather.

I used to watch Gavin handle these kinds of scenes with such effortless grace, and I thought it looked easy.

Turns out, it’s exhausting.

More draining than being in the lab or the clinic all day. You get all sorts of characters–the genuine, the snakes, the total phonies.

In just that short time, my hand was filled with business cards, and my WeChat contact list had bloated with names I usually only heard on the news.

“Finally done working the room, Group Leader Windsor?”

My wrist was caught the moment I turned the corner. The light in the fire escape stairwell flickered on just as my back met the cool wall. The heavy fire door swung shut, instantly muting the noise and celebration from the ballroom.

The scent of oud wood enveloped me.

“I’m in a good mood tonight.” I looked up into the depths of Gavin’s eyes, a smile playing on my lips. “Well, Mr. Windsor? Am I the one you’ve been waiting for here?” The subtext was crystal clear: The mighty Mr. Windsor, reduced to lurking around restrooms for me.

He didn’t take the bait. His gaze drifted over my face, taking in my bright eyes and the lively expression. He leaned in closer, his voice a low, pleasant rumble. “Of course. How could I not? Group Leader Windsor is quite the celebrity now.”

“Gavin.” I let out a soft laugh, my eyes holding his for a long moment before I spoke again, my tone turning serious. “I think… I should thank you.”

There are things I still hold against him.

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20:42

Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother