Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 4

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 4**
**Chapter 04**

This was no mere renovation; it was an outright catastrophe.

The house, which usually radiated an air of pristine order, now resembled a battlefield after a fierce skirmish. The living room cushions were flung haphazardly across the floor, their once vibrant fabric now marred by some dark, unidentifiable substance that suggested chaos had reigned. The elegant vase that typically graced the foot of the staircase lay shattered into a million shards, a delicate relic turned into a dangerous mosaic.

Mary was in full-on panic mode, her voice rising as she chased after Max. “Young Master Max, please, for the love of all that’s good, don’t touch that! That’s the Madam’s favorite tea set—”

But her desperate plea fell on deaf ears.

Crash!

The sound echoed through the house, a piercing reminder of the destruction that had just unfolded. The porcelain pieces scattered across the marble floor, glinting like fallen stars, remnants of something cherished now lost.

Max stood there, a pint-sized tyrant surveying his domain, hands firmly planted on his hips. He stuck out his tongue defiantly, a smug grin plastered across his face that seemed far too sophisticated for a four-year-old. “Hmph! I wanna play! Uncle Zane said this is my home now! You’re just the help—you can’t tell me what to do!”

As soon as he finished his proclamation, he glanced up and caught my calm, unwavering gaze. For a brief moment, I saw the bravado wane, and he instinctively took a step back, as if my presence alone had the power to quell his mischief.

“Go ahead and play,” I replied, my tone light and airy, as if we were discussing the weather. “Take your time.”

“…Really?” Max’s voice was laced with disbelief. Here he was, the architect of this colossal mess, and I wasn’t even angry?

I leaned casually against the stair railing, my eyes drifting to Amelia, who was seated in the living room, seemingly unfazed, casually sipping her tea as if the world around her had not descended into chaos. A faint smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “Of course. But you must promise me one thing: that oil painting downstairs? That’s my favorite. You can’t touch it.”

Max’s eyes sparkled with mischief, darting around the room as if he had just stumbled upon a treasure map. “Oh!”

With that, he scampered off downstairs, his little feet pattering against the floor, leaving behind a trail of mayhem.

Mary let out a long, exasperated sigh, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Madam, you and Young Master Zane are spoiling that child rotten…”

I waved her off with a gentle smile. “It’s fine, really. He is the only grandson of the Grayson family. As long as he’s happy, that’s all that truly matters.”

But then, my expression shifted, becoming colder, more detached. “Besides… Amelia isn’t stopping him, so we should respect her… parenting philosophy. If something goes awry, none of us can be held accountable.”

Mary’s frown deepened, her concern evident. “Sigh, you’re just too easy-going. That’s why people think they can walk all over you.”

I chose not to respond, merely smiling to mask the truth of her words, and deftly redirected the conversation. “Are there any spare gift boxes lying around?”

“What do you need to pack?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

Mary’s anxious voice penetrated the wood of my door. “Madam! You need to come down, quick! Young Master Max… he’s destroyed the old master’s posthumous work!”

Of course. It was time for me to step into the fray.

I shot up from my bed, feigning panic as my eyes widened. “Are you telling me… Max destroyed the oil painting in the living room?!”

“Y-yes…” Mary stammered, her nodding almost frantic.

In that moment, all other thoughts evaporated, and I bolted downstairs, moving so quickly that I twisted my ankle on the last few steps. A sharp jolt of pain shot up my leg, but I pressed on, determined to confront the chaos.

As I limped into the living room, there stood Max, that little brat, puffing out his chest like a champion who had just claimed victory. He wore an expression of sheer delight, as if he was relishing the chaos he had wrought, giving me a look that seemed to taunt, “What are you going to do about it?”

I turned to Mary, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the turmoil inside. “Did you call the main estate yet?”

“Not yet,” she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

“Do it. Now.”

The moment the words left my lips, Max charged at me like a tiny bull, ready to unleash even more havoc.