Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Chloe’s eyes lit up with the gleam of someone holding a prized piece of gossip. “He told you about Ethan and Amelia?”

“He did. He mentioned they had a huge argument that day.”

I shrugged, a deliberate attempt to appear nonchalant. “I’m neither Ethan nor Amelia. I couldn’t possibly guess why.”

“It cost me a little, but I dug out more,” Chloe leaned in, her voice dropping. “Amelia mentioned Zane during the fight with Ethan.”

My stomach tightened. “You mean… Ethan knew about Amelia and Zane…?”

“Not exactly, but he was clearly suspicious. I doubt they were bold enough to be together while he was alive. Regardless, it’s another piece of evidence pointing towards Amelia’s involvement in Ethan’s death.”

“You’re brilliant, Chloe. Don’t stop.” I picked up my phone and quickly transferred a substantial sum to her account.

Chloe stared at the notification, stunned. “Elara, what is this for?”

“Consider it a retainer,” I said, my voice turning serious as I met her gaze. “I’m formally commissioning you to use your legal resources and connections to systematically investigate Ethan’s death. Focus on three areas: first, a re–examination of the forensic inconsistencies in the accident report. Second, a search for overlooked witnesses from that day. And third, a deep dive into Amelia’s financial transactions and communication records around the time Ethan died.”

I paused, letting the weight of the request settle. “This is just the initial payment. I’ll cover all monthly expenses until we have answers.”

“No, I can’t take your money-” Chloe protested, her loyalty warring with practicality.

“Please, don’t worry. I can afford it now,” I said with a wry smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Spending this money to uncover the truth about Ethan’s death is the least I can do. It’s what I should do.”

The unspoken reason hung between us: the anonymous call that urged me to flee after Ethan’s death, the very push that started my journey toward divorcing Zane. And beneath it all, a quiet debt to Ethan–a good man who had always been kind to me, even from the periphery of my life.

After Chloe reluctantly agreed, I set the hairdryer aside, needing to change the subject. “Guess who I ran into on my way back from Mr. Colton’s?”

“Who?”

“Zane. And Amelia.”

I bit my lower lip, the memory a fresh sting. “He was there to help her… to smooth things over with my mentor, hoping he’d take Amelia on as a student.”

I couldn’t quite articulate the specific feeling that had washed over me then. It wasn’t the sharp agony of heartbreak I once knew. It was something colder, duller–a profound sense of violation.

Because of me, Zane had grown close to my esteemed teacher. I was the bridge. And I never imagined he would use that very bridge to lay down a red carpet for his beloved Amelia.

“Are you kidding me? This is a total slap in the face!” Chloe snapped, her fury a stark contrast to my own emptiness. “He’s still legally your husband!”

A tired sigh escaped me. “God only knows what’s going through his head. At this point, probably whatever Amelia wants.”

“And the divorce papers?” Chloe looked ready to physically pull me from the wreckage of my marriage. “When is his mother finally sending them

over?”

“I asked again today. She said ‘soon.“”

“Do you think she’s bluffing?”

12:21

Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

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