Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 52

chapter 52

Eleanor turned dead serious. “How’d you guess?”

“I’m divorced, you know. You should really think this through,” I laughed.

“I have, I promise I have!”

She seemed to think I was perfect. With a straight face, she insisted, “The divorce wasn’t your fault. What’s wrong with being divorced, anyway?”

Then she leaned in, dropping her voice like she was sharing a secret. “Besides, my grandson’s no prize–he’s grouchy, stubborn, and frankly, he talks more crap than sense. He’d be lucky to have you!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Do you need more medicine this time?”

“Yes, just three days‘ worth. I’ll come back in three days.”

Before she left, Eleanor pressed a delicate four–leaf clover necklace into my palm, her eyes warm and earnest. “This one brings good luck. Take it–it11 keep you safe from now on, I’m sure of it.”

After she’d gone, the young nurse by the door teased, “Elara, that granny wasn’t here for a prescription–she was here to scout a granddaughter–in–law.”

I smiled. “She’s just worried about her grandson. It’s natural.”

Still, I wondered just how awful this guy must be for his own grandmother to describe him like that.

I only worked mornings at the clinic. Since Chloe had the day off, she came by so we could grab lunch and do some shopping afterward.

It was Charles’s birthday that night, and I needed to pick up the gift I’d ordered for him.

“Whoa, this is some gift,” Chloe said, eyebrows raised as I collected the custom fountain pen from the store.

It was master–crafted, practically priceless, and I’d only managed to get it so fast by calling in a favor through Colton.

“Charles gave me something really expensive for my birthday last year,” I explained. “It’s only right to match the energy.”

“Rich people circles,” Chloe sighed. “Can’t hang without serious cash.”

“Tell me about it,” I agreed. “I don’t know how long my savings will even last.”

Not that I’d have to worry much longer. Victoria was probably already using all her resources to scout the next Mrs. Grayson. Once she picked a candidate, no one would bother inviting me to these things anymore. Awkward, much?

Charles’s party was at the Cloud Peak Club, and the place was packed. When I stopped into the large private room, I scanned the crowd–mostly familiar faces. Well, familiar to Zane. And to Gavin.

Out of all of them, only Charles had ever been genuinely nice to me. The rest? If Zane and I ever split, they wouldn’t even look my way on the street.

“Oh, rare for you to bring your girlfriend!” Charles greeted us warmly. He had a great personality and was sweet to Chloe, too. “Make yourselves at home, have fun.”

“She had the day off, so we came together,” I explained.

The main hall was buzzing, so I pulled Chloe into a quieter side room to escape the noise.

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Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

24.2%

chapter 52

That’s when I overheard them.

“How pathetic. I wondered why she bolted into the inner room the second she got here–guess she’s afraid of embarrassing herself.”

“You’re just realizing? When she was still Gavin’s little favorite, the Graysons had to play nice. But after their fallout, marrying Zane was a major climb for her. Now that he’s back with his true love, all she can do is watch.”

At first, I was just idly listening to gossip. Then it hit me–they were talking about me.

“Then why do you think she still won’t sign the divorce? What’s she holding on for?”

“Money, obviously. She’s just some no–name doctor with no background. Spent the first half of her life latched onto the Windsors–you think she’ll let go of the Graysons now?”

Chloe’s face darkened, and she made a move to stand. I gently stopped her.

“It’s fine.” I said softly. “I’ll go.”

I stepped out calmly. The two women had their backs to the inner room and didn’t see me approach.

“I mean, she looks all sweet and innocent, but who knew she was so calculating? Just leeching off anyone she can.”

“What do you expect? She’s an orphan. No parents, no upbringing. What kind of decent person do you think she’d turn out to be…”

I reached out and lightly tapped one on the shoulder, leaning in with a mild tone. “What are we talking about? Who’s not a decent person?”

“Who else? That Elara, she’s just-”

She turned, and her words died in her throat the second she saw my face. She froze like a kid caught stealing candy.

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