Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 218

Chapter 218

Based on what Amelia had overheard at the orphanion all those years ago, the Dowager Windsor’s adoption of Elara was inextricably linked to that drug lord.

It was likely the deaths of Elara’s parents were also somehow tied to the old woman.

The thought made Zane glance back toward the master bedroom.

Elara and Gavin had only just reconciled. If it turned out his grandmother was involved in her parents‘ deaths…

The assistant understood his concern. “If we find a connection to the Dowager Windsor… do you think Mrs. Grayson will be able to handle it?” The Dowager was Gavin’s grandmother. And Elara had, ultimately, grown up under Gavin’s protection.

Zane was worried about precisely that. “Let’s find the facts first. Don’t let her know anything until we’re certain.”

Just as he ended the call, a housemaid came upstairs holding something, heading straight for the master bedroom.

Zane stopped her. “Elara’s still sleeping. What is it?”

“Young Master,” the maid paused, walking over to him and holding out a photograph. “The family portrait that young Marx ripped up… it’s been restored. The Young Lady must have sent it out for repair before she moved out and used this address.”

“The family portrait?” Zane took it. The moment he looked at it, his knuckles gripping the photo turned white. A wave of regret, bitter and profound, spread from his chest through his entire body, a physical ache.

His chest grew tight, so constricted he could barely breathe. Each breath he managed to draw felt sharp and painful.

He finally remembered where he’d seen the childhood photo of Jace that his assistant had sent him.

-In Elara’s bedroom.

This very family portrait had sat in their master bedroom ever since they were married.

He had just rarely set foot in there, and had paid little attention to her belongings.

If he had ever cared about her, even a little, he would have recognized her the moment his assistant sent that picture.

Elara would never have been kidnapped.

The maid nodded. “It was delivered by courier a couple of days ago. I thought, since she’s back today, it would be a good time to give it to her.”

“There’s no rush.” Zane closed his eyes, slowly releasing a heavy breath to ease the suffocating pressure in his chest,

When he opened them again, the rims of his eyes were tinged with red, burning with a desperate, stubborn resolve. “She’s not going anywhere ever again.”

His tone was utterly level, but it sent an involuntary chill down the maid’s sping.

Elara’s POV

A full day and night without proper food finally woke me–with a sharp, gnawing ache in my stomach.

My sleep had been heavy and muddled, probably because last night’s ordeal left me on edge. I kept drifting in and out of fragmented, restless dreams.

The curtains were drawn tight, blocking out any hint of light. I only realized it was already evening when I grabbed my phone.

16:21

Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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Chapter 218

Rubbing my sore stomach, I did what I always did after waking up: headed to the bathroom to wash up, then made my way downstairs.

Dusk had settled, and the whole house was dim, lit only by a few scattered lights. Downstairs was especially gloomy.

I’ve never liked how dark the house feels right after waking up.

It makes me uneasy.

I prefer every corner flooded with light, bright and clear.

But then again, this hasn’t been my home for a while. I quickened my steps down.

“Little Elara.”

Just as my foot touched the bottom step, Zane’s voice came from the direction of the living room–calm and gentle, as always.

But something felt different this time.

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