Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 185

**TITLE: Pushing the Edge 185**

I cast a sidelong glance at her, my fingers deftly rearranging my cards, while Zane let out a hearty chuckle, his amusement evident. “She’s a beginner. Take it easy on her,” he said, his tone dripping with the kind of protectiveness that only a devoted husband could muster.

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, but I couldn’t help but roll my eyes inwardly.

Gavin strolled over, his long legs carrying him with a languid grace, and positioned himself right behind my chair. “Play the three of clubs,” he instructed, his voice smooth and casual.

I shot him a look, irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. “A classy guy would keep his mouth shut and just watch,” I retorted, my tone sharper than intended.

A smirk danced at the corner of his mouth, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Who ever claimed I was classy?”

Realizing that bantering with him was a losing battle, I decided to retreat into silence, redirecting my focus to the cards in my hand.

Charles, the seasoned veteran of the game, handled his cards with an effortless ease, all while keeping up with the latest gossip that swirled around us. His gaze flicked toward Gavin, a knowing glimmer in his eyes. “Bro, are you still going to deny that engagement with Vera? Your lips seem a bit more… flushed than they were before you stepped out,” he teased, a sly grin spreading across his face.

My grip on the card between my fingers tightened, and my entire body tensed in response.

I had reapplied my lipstick before arriving; there was no way anyone could tell.

But Gavin’s…

Zane caught the slight hesitation in my expression and smiled knowingly. “Don’t know which one to discard?” he inquired, his voice low and encouraging.

“Yeah…” I exhaled, forcing myself to breathe steadily. Following his quiet suggestion, I discarded a five of clubs, beginning to build a flush, my heart racing with the thrill of the game.

Gavin chuckled softly, reaching over to playfully swat the back of Charles’s head. “Why are you so obsessed with my mouth? What, you want to kiss me or something?” he joked, his tone light but teasing.

Charles shuddered dramatically, his face contorting in mock horror. “Bro, let’s not go there. I don’t swing that way.”

The conversation deftly sidestepped the dangerous territory, and I released a silent breath of relief.

I was a quick learner with a solid memory, and with a sprinkle of beginner’s luck, I managed to cleanly outplay all three of them.

Chloe, ever the good sport, took her loss with grace. “Girl, what kind of luck is this? A winning hand every single time?”

I raised an eyebrow, a triumphant smile dancing on my lips. “You know the rules. A bet’s a bet.”

Zane’s gaze lingered on me, softening as it traced the lively contours of my face, a warmth blooming in his eyes.

—

The car door clicked shut behind Amelia with a soft thud, echoing in the stillness of the grand estate. Following a uniformed servant, she made her way toward the main reception hall, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

The Windsor estate was a sight to behold, dwarfing the Grayson property and making it seem almost… nouveau riche in comparison.

It wasn’t just the visible wealth that struck her; it was the profound sense of history that permeated the manicured grounds and the silent, ancient stones that surrounded her.

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