Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 308

Chapter 308

The final batch of clinical trial data had come in this morning. Flawless.

The only thing that could be giving me a headache now, Elias figured, was the public speaking part.

I propped my chin on my hand. “I’m drawing a complete blank.”

I was still most comfortable with my head down, buried in lab work. Getting up on a stage was firmly outside my comfort zone.

“Don’t stress. There’s still time.” Elias offered a gentle smile. “Besides, if the data you present is rock solid, no one will even remember what you said.”

That was the rule of the world. Winners got applause no matter what they mumbled.

I pressed my lips together. “Elias… can’t you go up there instead of me?”

Tlara.” It was rare for him to see this almost childishly resistant side of me. He laughed softly. “You can’t stay behind the scenes forever. Your talent, your abilities… they mean you’re destined to rise higher and higher,”

To shine brighter and brighter.

So bright he might not be able to keep up.

My mind was stuck on the speech. I didn’t catch the hint of melancholy in his eyes. I gave a wry smile. “The higher you stand, the harder you fall if you slip.”

I knew exactly how closely Amelia and the Winslows were watching me.

Elias’s smile faded, his voice warm yet firm. “Then you just keep climbing higher. If you do fall… your mentor and I will be here to catch you.”

The restlessness in my chest settled easily. “All these years… I don’t know what I’d have done without you and the professor.”

Without Elias and my mentor, I’d never have come this far.

And also…

Gavin.

He was the one who paved this path for me.

The drug launch wasn’t just keeping me busy. It involved the entire Winslow Corp, so Gavin was swamped too.

Our last few meetings had been at the office, during meetings, all strictly professional.

But the night before the launch, my phone rang. It was Gavin.

‘d just stepped out of the shower, my voice still carrying the steam. “Hey.”

Just showered?” His voice, low and steady, came through the receiver. “Hair still wet, I bet?”

le didn’t even wait for my answer. He already knew.

wasn’t sure when he’d gotten to know my habits so well. Rubbing my hair with a towel, I mumbled, “Not yet.”

Go dry it.” The man’s voice traveled through the receiver, warm and intimate against my ear.

didn’t want to. I gave a noncommittal, “Okay, I’ll go dry it. Talk later.”

Don’t you dare hang up.” His words brooked no argument, each syllable leaving no room for refusal. “You dry. I’ll listen.”

?”

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Bofeed 3 1 …

Chapter 308

still under the thumb of that massive penalty clause in our agreement, I thought his request was weird but didn’t dare say it out loud. I tossed the towel onto the couch and went to fetch the hairdryer from the bathroom.

I hated drying my hair in there. The air was always too damp right after a shower. I always brought the dryer out into the bedroom.

Gavin used to indulge me in this, even drying it for me himself sometimes.

Down below, leaning against a streetlamp, Gavin saw a shadow move past the glass of my balcony door and could almost picture the relictance in my

movements,

The stark lamp light fell on his sharply defined, usually stern features, but it couldn’t hide the obvious fondness there.

Always pushing your luck with me.

So sweet tempered with everyone else, just never want to listen to me*,

A bad habit he’d indulged. One only he could have fostered in her.

In her heart, he was never the same as anyone else.

The thought made the curve of his lips deepen unconsciously. His long, distinct fingers held the phone to his ear. “Well? Why aren’t you drying it?”

Fine, fine, I’m doing it.” I gave in, reminding him, “It’s going to be loud. Turn your volume down or you’ll complain.”

Listening to someone dry their hair. What a strange quirk.

Gavin chuckled softly. “Mhm.”

The moment he agreed, a loud WHIRRRRING noise blasted through the phone.

Very loud.

she’d clearly put me on speakerphone on purpose, letting me have the full, glorious, ear–blasting experience.

Third–person POV

Not far away, Locke watched as a smile seemed to crease the corners of his boss’s eyes. He frowned. “What do you think Ms. Elara is saying to him? Some sweet nothings? He looks downright gleeful.”

viall was also a bit puzzled. Logically, given Ms. Elara’s current avoidant attitude, sweet nothings seemed unlikely.

Niall thought for a moment. “Maybe… that’s just love?”

f you were lovesick enough, even their breathing sounded like poetry. With his boss’s terminal level of lovesickness, Ms. Elara probably just had to exist.

Jara’s POV

had no idea three grown men were camped out below my apartment.

finished blow–drying my hair with efficient movements, turning it off when it was about 70% dry. I picked up the phone. “Done. So, what did you call for in

he middle of the night, anyway?”

urely not just to listen to me dry my hair.

In the other end, a soft night breeze seemed to rustle, carrying his low voice with it. “Nervous?”

About what?” The question left my lips before I realized. He was asking about tomorrow’s launch.

thought about it and answered truthfully. “A little. But don’t worry, I won’t embarrass Winslow Corp or you-”

Come to the window.” He cut me off before I could finish.

was taken aback but got up and walked to the window. Looking down, I saw the tall, straight figure standing under the streetlamp.

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Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

Chapter 308

He looked like he’d just come from some function, still in his suit from the day, but with the top two buttons of his shirt undone and his tie missing. His sleeves were rolled up casually, revealing lean, strong forearms.

Before I could say anything, his gaze seemed to find mine through the distance. His voice, unhurried, came through the phone. “What’s there to be nervous about? If anything goes sideways. I’ve got your back.”

Truth was, I was prepared. I’d gone over every possible move from Amelia or the Winslow elders a million times. There shouldn’t be any surprises.

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