Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 299

Chapter 299

Chapter 299

Zane walked out from the elevator bank, his voice low and thick with displeasure.

The bodyguards saw him and immediately froze, retreating a step in unison.

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Victoria’s frown deepened into a scowl. “Have you lost your mind?! For a woman, you’d cut ties with your own mother?! She was more convinced than ever hat he was in too deep. Just because this bitch saved them once, did they have to gamble their entire fortune?

Cane’s expression was dark. “If you insist, then that’s the way it has to be.” His tone was steady, but the resolve beneath was unmistakable.

or once, Chloe looked at him with a flicker of respect. Now that’s more like it.

f only Gavin would cut ties with his family… then the baby could have its real father.

had no idea what was going through her head, but I wanted no part of the Grayson family drama. I spoke up. “I don’t care if you cut ties or not just keep me

ut of it.” I looked at Zane. “I told you from the beginning I didn’t need you to do anything for me. Make that clear to your mother, please.”

With that, I shut the door firmly in their faces.

Once it was closed, Chloe finally spoke. “If it weren’t for the whole Amelia mess…”

What about it?” I was parched. I walked to the kitchen island and poured myself a glass of water.

ust as I took a sip, some kind of commotion erupted outside–raised voices, sharp and intense–before quickly fading into silence. It must have been those two..

Chloe jumped at the sound, pressing a hand to her chest. Then she finished her thought. “…he wouldn’t be so bad.”

At least better than Gavin, whose family literally housed the enemy.

drank half the glass of water, my voice calm. “You’re a lawyer. You know better than anyone there’s no such thing as ‘what if‘ in this world.” Time didn’t ewind. People could only move forward after things happened. Willingly or by force. But there were no second chances.

Chloe sighed. “True. I was just indulging in a little idealism.”

Elara’s POV

Ding–dong.

The doorbell rang. I didn’t need to open it to know who it was. But maybe it was time to be even clearer with Zane.

put down my glass and walked over, opening the door to the man in his impeccably tailored suit. “Your mother gone?”

Yeah.” Zane gave a slight nod, apology softening his features. “Did she scare you? I’ve made it clear. She won’t bother you again.” He genuinely hadn’t expected Victoria to act so rashly.

lowered my gaze for a moment, then looked back up at him, my voice cool and calm. “Did you hear me when I said I don’t need you involved in my affairs?”

Zane, we’re divorced. There are some favors I can’t repay.” My words were deliberate, drawing a clear line. “I’ll handle things my own way. I don’t need you

isking the entire Grayson empire.”

Zach sentence felt like a thin wire tightening around his heart. His gaze was steady on me, “I never expected you to repay anything. Whatever I do, it’s because I vant to. If I can help you in any small way… I feel like it’s a chance fate gave me to make amends.” He’d done too many wrong things in the past. If he could itone for even a little of it, that was enough.

It felt more and more futile to argue. I gave up. “Fine. But please, make sure your mother never shows up at my door again.”

He relaxed slightly. “She won’t. I promise.”

“I pressed my lips together. “You should go home. I’m closing the door.”

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hapter 299

s I started to step back and shut it, he stopped me.

Wait.”

e produced a small glass bottle from somewhere. His eyes held a hopeful, almost boyish light. “Jess do you remember this?”

he bottle was filled with tiny, carefully folded paper cranes.

Then I was little, I’d pestered my mom to fold them for me. I’d placed each one into this same milk bottle, washed clean.

he day Zane was leaving Los Angeles all those years ago, a tearful little me had pressed it into his hands.

i said, “Big brother, I made a wish on every single crane! I wished that we would definitely meet again!”

nd we did.

e met thousands of times. I waited for him countless days in the house that was supposed to be our home.

nd he let me down. Countless times.

ly wish had come true. And he had been the one to crush it.

ane didn’t blame anyone else, not even Amelia anymore. He only blamed himself. Why had he ignored the feeling that Amelia’s personality didn’t match the ttle girl in his memory? Why had he clung to a jade pendant and endless excuses, giving her limitless leeway?

inding this bottle last night had nearly driven him mad with regret.

ly eyes dropped to the well–preserved bottle in his hand. For a moment, my mind wandered.

remembered.

remembered how much I’d looked forward to seeing him again.

ut…

d grown up a long time ago. I was no longer that carefree little girl sheltered by her parents. The person I was at different stages of my life wanted completely ifferent things. By the time I was five, kneeling on the gravel in the Windsor courtyard, I’d already forgotten that childhood wish. All I thought about then was scaping. Wondering if anyone would descend from the heavens to save me.

nd then, someone did.

ut it wasn’t the person standing in front of me now.

he thought left a sour taste in my mouth. I sniffed lightly. “I remember. My mom folded these.”

I’ve remembered what you said all this time.” Zane’s voice was earnest, utterly sincere. “Even if we can’t start over… at least we can be friends. Even just casual

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