Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 302

Chapter 302

For a moment, I saw the Zane from our childhood. That version of him had been just like this–careful, a little tentative.

I pressed my lips together lightly. “It’s just a meal. It’s fine.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” He gave a gentle smile and followed me inside.

As I opened the shoe cabinet to get him slippers, his eyes landed on a pair of men’s slippers in what looked like his size. He pointed. “These should fit.”

“Not those.” My refusal was instant. Realizing how abrupt I sounded, I explained, “Those are my brother’s. You know how particular he is. Doesn’t like others touching his things.” Gavin had worn them exactly once.

Zane’s expression stilled for a second. His fingers curled slightly at his sides, but he said nothing. “Right. Any pair is fine.”

Okay.” I couldn’t find another pair his size, so I handed him a pair of disposable hotel slippers–courtesy of Chloe’s business trips. Useful for guests.

Zane was easygoing about it. He put them on and headed for the dining area.

Chloe, home early without meetings, glanced up from her legal briefs on the couch. “Free‘ dinner?”

‘Mary made it.” I smiled, putting my bag down. “Go wash up.”

I honestly couldn’t remember the last time Zane and I had sat down for a meal this peacefully. After we married, such moments had been rare. Most of the time, It was just an act. For him. For me. He performed for me; I performed for the Graysons and the Windsors.

Chloe tried a piece of the glossy, tempting braised pork on the table and immediately served one to me. “Try it. It’s your favorite.”

‘Okay.” I smiled, picking up the piece of perfectly layered fat and lean meat. The moment it neared my lips, a wave of nausea hit my stomach.

[frowned, put the meat back in my bowl, and took a large gulp of orange juice to settle the sudden unease. I hadn’t had any noticeable morning sickness until

now. Of course it would strike today.

Zane, observant as ever, stopped eating. “What’s wrong? Not to your taste?”

‘My fault,” Chloe jumped in quickly, plucking the piece of meat from my bowl and eating it herself. “Almost forgot her stomach’s been off lately. Can’t handle greasy food.”

really didn’t want Zane to know about the pregnancy. “Don’t blame yourself. I forgot, too. Just couldn’t resist the pork.”

was a doctor, yes, but I rarely paid much attention to my own health. I could lecture patients all day, but in my own life? Sweet, icy, spicy, greasy–whatever asted good. An upset stomach was normal for me.

Still, Zane couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. “Really just an upset stomach?”

What else could it be?” I said nonchalantly. “It’s not some major illness. I’ve checked my own pulse. I know what’s up.”

That’s good.” He didn’t seem completely reassured.

After dinner, he didn’t overstay. He got up to leave.

stood at the door and called, “Scott! Walk time!”

‘Woof!” Scott rolled off the couch, found his leash, and trotted over, tail wagging, leash in his mouth.

I took it and clipped it to his collar. Chloe looked worried. “Maybe I should take him. Don’t want you tripping.” Though getting older, Scott was pampered and healthy, still quite strong.

“I’ll be fine.” I knew she had briefs to review tonight. “You focus on your work.”

Scott was gentle. Ever since I got pregnant, it was like he knew. When I walked him, he stayed close, slow and steady. Even if he saw a dog friend, he wouldn’t

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Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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pull. He’d even position himself between me and the other dog, as if protecting me from any overly enthusiastic play.

Leash in one hand, a bag of trash in the other, I instinctively pressed the button for the parking garage. Stepping out of the elevator, I realized Before I could turn back, the elevator doors closed. I shrugged and headed outside to toss the trash.

Just as I did, the door of an unfamiliar black luxury sedan parked nearby swung open. A familiar, well shaped hand reached out

Before 1 could react, long, elegant fingers closed around my wrist and pulled me into the car.

my mistake.

Neil hopped out with lightning speed, deftly taking Scott’s leash from my grip and shutting the door behind us. The whole maneuver was scandess.

landed squarely in the man’s lap. The intimacy of the position made my ears burn. My body went rigid. “What are you doing here?” I thought he’d moved out, given the silence from across the hall. That our… arrangement was over.

Gavin’s arm settled around my waist–seemingly slender but with a softness he seemed to appreciate–holding me firmly in place. His tone was commanding Who gave you the nerve to breach our contract?”

frowned. “Breach what contract?”

How many meals have you had with Zane lately?”

“I hadn’t expected him to be watching so closely. And of course, he’d only seen part of the picture. Or maybe someone had stirred the pot.

I told the truth. “One.”

‘And I told you, I’ll figure out a way to pay the penalty.”

‘How?” He seemed momentarily satisfied with my first answer, but the second clearly displeased him. A mocking smile touched his lips. “Installments? How nany? And what about interest?”

interest?

That had never crossed my mind. Three billion was already an astronomical sum. He wanted interest on top of that?

I looked at him, brow furrowed. “How do you want to calculate it?”

The usual rate in my… circles is three percent. But I can give you a discount.” He watched my serious expression, a brow lifting slightly. “Two percent.”

That high?!” I was getting a firsthand lesson in what a true capitalist looked like. 3 billion, 2% monthly… that was 60 million a month in interest alone. Installments? Forget it. I’d be paying interest for the rest of my life.

He nodded, utterly unapologetic, his tone matter–of–fact. “It’s not even usury. Perfectly legal.” He was explaining it to me now.

was momentarily speechless. “When does the interest start?”

His palm rubbed slow, distracting circles on the soft curve of my waist. He tossed the question back effortlessly. “When do you plan to start breaching the

Contract?”

…” I’d walked right into that.

took a deep breath, setting aside other concerns for now. “Then… let’s wait a bit longer.” At least until the drug launched and I had a substantial sum to start

Dayments.

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