Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 40

chapter 40

Amelia’s POV

Colton was clearly on Team Elara, every word dripping with sarcasm.

Zane had obviously heard him. “Like you said yourself–it’s all just rumors. Not facts.”

I had to admire how he could lie without batting an eye. “Fact or not, I know what I know!” Colton shot back, his voice sharp.

He glared, jabbing a finger toward the door. “Get out! Take your mistress and this cheap junk with you!”

“Don’t think you can buy me with this crap!”

“Professor Wheaton,” I cut in, keeping my voice steady as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, “just name your terms. Whatever they are, meet them. Right, Zane?”

Zane nodded, his tone respectful. “Professor, Mia’s right. We’re being completely sincere.”

But Colton only seemed to grow angrier, as though he were personally offended for Elara’s sake.

“You want terms?”

we’ll

“Of course,” I replied without hesitation.

I had no doubt we could win him over. The Graysons were wealthy and influential, and Zane had always been generous with me and my son. There was no reason this old man wouldn’t come around.

Colton rose to his feet, smoothing down his shirt. “Fine. The two of you will make a public apology to Elara for your little affair.”

“Once she accepts it, you’re welcome to come back and see me anytime.”

“What did you just say?”

Fury and panic surged through me, my face burning with humiliation. Then it hit me–what Elara had said to me at the door earlier. It all made sense now. I stared at Colton, hatred boiling in my chest. “Did Elara tell you something me? You can’t believe a word she says-”

“That’s enough, Mia,” Zane cut me off, his voice firm.

When he turned back to Colton, he wasn’t angry, just eerily calm. “Professor Wheaton, we’ve clearly overstayed our welcome. We’ll be going now.”

I had no choice but to follow him out, fuming.

The moment we were in the car, I couldn’t hold back. “Zane, this has Elara written all over it. She’s never liked me, you know that.”

“How else do you explain her conveniently leaving right before we showed up at Professor Wheaton’s?”

Zane’s gaze dropped, his voice turning strangely cold. “I’ve told you again and again. She’s not like you. She doesn’t play these games.”

My fingers clenched around the fabric of my coat. I stared at him until my eyes stung. “Why do you always take her side, no matter what?”

“Mia,” Zane pinched the bridge of his nose, “even the police need evidence. You’re accusing her of badmouthing you behind your back–where’s your proof?”

“Since when do I need proof for this?” I sniffed, completely certain. “She’s always had it out for me! She’s his student, and she just happened to visit right before we did…”

12-21

Betrayed 2 1 Ungraded to His Billionaire Brother

28.5%

chapter 40

“If the police worked on gut feelings like you do,” Zane interrupted, “how many innocent people would be in jail?”

“I…”

Seeing I still didn’t get it, he was clearly losing patience. He looked at me, almost helplessly. “Maybe you shouldn’t study medicine. You should be a screenwriter.”

As he spoke, a distant look crossed his face, and I knew it–he was thinking of her. Of Elara, She was always at the hospital or tucked away at home with her quiet hobbies, never wasting a single thought on these kinds of mind games. Her mind was just… pure.

Suddenly, his eyes caught on something outside the window. “Pull over.”

He got out and walked into a patisserie, returning with a single slice of Black Forest cake.

Some of my anger melted away at the sight. I reached for it. “Okay, since you bought me cake, I’ll forgive what you just said…”

“This is for Elara.”

He moved it out of my reach, placing it carefully on the empty passenger seat. “She’s young, she likes sweets. Aren’t you always watching your sugar intake?”

I just stared at him, stunned.

He looked the same as ever–gentle, handsome, seemingly unchanged.

But as I sat there, something cold settled in my chest.

Maybe his heart had shifted.

He always said he saw Elara as a sister, but maybe.. just maybe… he’d fallen for her without even realizing it.

My nails dug deep into my palms. I watched him with simmering resentment, but this time, I held back from questioning him outright.

Are you this good to every friend’s sister?

“She cut ties with Gavin to marry me.” Zane acted like my suspicion was ridiculous. “Shouldn’t I be good to her?”

Elara’s POV

The cold night air clung to my skin as I stepped inside. Not wanting to risk getting sick, I headed straight for the bathroom and stepped into a stream of near–scalding water.

Later, wrapped in a towel with my hair still damp, I was blow–drying it when Chloe burst into the steamy room, munching on a cherry from the plate

in her hand.

“So,” I asked, turning off the dryer, “what are these new findings about Ethan?”

“I’ve been digging around, and it’s slow going–but I finally got a solid lead. Two days ago, I made contact with the outfitter that supplied their wingsuit gear in the Alps.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Guess what?”

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