Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

I felt my spine go rigid the second I heard the name.

I forced myself to relax before Colton could turn around and see the tension on my face.

Colton let the others go ahead but held me back with a gentle hand. “If you’re not comfortable, I’ll tell the boy to leave. He doesn’t have to stay for dinner.”

“I’m fine.”

Ever since I ran into him in Germany, I’d been mentally preparing myself for this. If we could bump into each other on the other side of the world, then seeing him again was inevitable.

He was a man of immense power now, consistently cold to everyone. There was no need for my teacher to lose face because of my personal history.

Seeing my calm expression, Colton patted my shoulder. “It’s good you can see it that way. After all, you’re siblings. He might have had his own difficulties…”

“Professor,” I interrupted softly, my eyes lowering, “let’s just go inside.”

Over the years, Colton wasn’t the first person to say something like that to me.

Difficulties.

If there were real difficulties, why didn’t he ever tell me? Instead, he just silently threw me away, like I was trash.

When it came down to it, Margaret Windsor had put it best. Someone like him, the golden boy, was just keeping a pet for amusement. When he got tired of it, when it became a burden, he’d discard it. Simple as that.

Colton knew this was a sore spot for me and didn’t push it. “Let’s go in.”

Before I entered, the atmosphere inside had been easy. Elias had met Gavin once at a research institute, and with Sylvia’s introduction, they were chatting naturally.

“Elara,” Elias waved me over when I walked in, “this is Mr. Gavin Windsor. We actually met in Germany the other day.”

The man stood tall, his dark eyes holding their usual cold, unreadable look. The evening sun streamed through the glass, casting an orange glow on him that softened his inherent intensity, but he still felt aloof and distant.

My fingertips brushed against my thumb. “Hello,” I said, my voice flat.

“Mr. Windsor, this is Elara, a junior from my university. She’s incredibly talented.” Elia’s was always especially proud when introducing me. Maybe worried Gavin might underestimate me, he added, “Though I call her my junior, she’s really like a sister to me.”

Gavin raised an eyebrow, a faint, almost mocking smile playing on his lips as he looked at me. “Hello, sister.”

“Mr. Windsor,” I replied coolly, meeting his gaze without flinching.

It was strange-his expression was quiet, almost gentle. Not at all like the Gavin I remembered, whose eyes had always been so intense and penetrating. Something about him felt different now, and I didn’t know what to make of it.

Seeing him like this, my mind drifted to someone else–someone who was gone.

“Come on, come on, dinner’s ready. Everyone, try Sylvia’s cooking.” He looked at Gavin, his tone noticeably cooler. “You haven’t come to eat at my place for some years, boy.”

12:19

Betrayed 21 Ungraded to His Billionaire Brother

21.2%

Chapter 30

The reproach in his voice was unmistakable. Given Gavin’s status now, people around him either flattered him or tread carefully. No one would dare speak to him like that.

I saw Elias’s eyes widen slightly, but Gavin just smiled faintly. “I was afraid I’d get thrown out again if I came”

Colton glared at him. “Seems you still have some self–awareness.”

“Alright, everyone, let’s eat,” Sylvia chimed in, smoothing things over as she placed the dishes on the long dining table.

I brought out the red wine Sylvia had prepared, setting a bottle by each seat before pouring for everyone. I took my place beside Sylvia and–whether by chance or not–Gavin ended up directly across from me.

It was hard to ignore him even on a normal day. With looks and presence like his, he drew attention without even trying. And now he was right there in my line of sight.

I did my best to act like he wasn’t there at all.

But his scent–that distinct mix of cedarwood and vetiver–kept drifting over. It was calming, almost soothing… which was messed up, considering he was the same man who’d once shattered my heart. Oh god, this was…

Just then, Sylvia came to my rescue.

Sylvia looked at me, her eyes warm, and gently raised her glass. “Your teacher told me you’re getting divorced.

I think you made the right decision,” she said, her voice full of genuine happiness for me. “I believe you’ll meet a good man again.”

♡ (9)

(0)

12:19