Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 174

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 174**

**Chapter 174**

I had finally unraveled the enigma that was Victoria. Deep down, she was no different from the old woman at the Windsor estate—manipulative and self-serving.

Our relationship had already soured, and I knew that Victoria wouldn’t genuinely feel indebted to me just because I had relented this one time. In her world, the submission of the weak was expected, a norm that went unchallenged.

So, I pondered, why should I yield to her whims?

At this moment, Victoria was on edge, her wariness of Zane keeping her from making any rash moves against me. She seemed to believe that by lowering her head, I should immediately comply with her wishes. The surprise on her face when I not only refused to play her game but openly defied her was palpable.

Her fury erupted like a volcano. She slammed her palm on the desk, the sound reverberating in the tense air. “Elara, are you truly so oblivious to your own position? After everything that transpired last time, do you really think you have the right to oppose me?”

I kept my voice steady, carefully measured. “But in this instance, you are the one seeking a favor from me.”

I needed to address the divorce with Zane without delay. The idea of continuing to play the role of the Second Young Madam of the Grayson family was no longer appealing to me; I was done with that charade.

The calmness with which I stated my intentions only served to infuriate Victoria even more. Just as she seemed poised to strike the desk again, a knock at the door interrupted the escalating tension.

Zane entered, striding confidently to my side. He took hold of my wrist, a protective gesture, and turned to Victoria. “From now on, anything you wish to discuss can be directed at me. Don’t take your frustrations out on her.”

Victoria’s expression twisted into one of disdain. “Are you out of your mind?” she scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm. “You defend her like this, but do you even have a clue what she’s really thinking?!”

-She’s contemplating divorce.

I met her glare with unwavering resolve, refusing to be intimidated.

If she wanted to be the one to reveal my thoughts, then so be it.

Zane pressed his lips into a thin line, the weight of his past decisions evident on his face. “I failed her before. Whatever she’s contemplating is entirely justified.”

He paused, then added with a sense of finality, “I’m taking her back to the Windsor estate now.”

Victoria shot me a venomous look, her eyes narrowing. “She’s just some girl who doesn’t even hold a proper status in that family. Why do you need to accompany her back for Christmas?”

That was a fair point.

In previous years, I had always returned to the Windsor estate alone.

“She’s reconciled with Gavin,” Zane stated, his words cutting through Victoria’s fury like a hot knife through butter.

In an instant, her demeanor shifted dramatically. “Fine. If you’re going, you should leave early. It is her family home, after all.”

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