Betrayed I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Elias frowned, ready to fire back, but I shook my head. “Let it go. It doesn’t matter what they say.”

You can’t talk people out of prejudice–not with words, anyway. Defending myself would just make me look defensive. Besides, I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. The more you explain, the weaker you seem.

Besides, I’d skimmed their résumés on the way over. Honestly? Their skills were mid at best.

I’m not afraid of their doubts. I know what I’m capable of–and I’m confident enough to shut them up for good.

So instead of wasting time on them, I headed straight to the supply cabinet and began inspecting the raw materials.

Elias watched me, curious. “Do we really need to vet every single botanical?”

“For a project this level? Absolutely.” I kept my eyes on the dried plants in front of me. “The clinic’s suppliers were pre–vetted by our mentor. Their quality is consistent. But here?” I glanced at him.

“We’re building the foundation from scratch. Everything from the soil it grew in to how it was dried can alter the chemical compounds we’re trying to isolate.”

This was where drug development got real–where theory met the messy, unpredictable reality of nature.

Elias looked a little embarrassed. “All these years, and I never built that habit.”

“That’s normal. You’re the boss, after all.” I shot him a teasing smile. “Even if you don’t keep an eye on this stuff, someone else will.”

He smiled back lightly. “Then you’d better keep a close watch on the clinic for me.”

“Don’t worry.”

I kept working, lifting a sample to examine its color and texture.

Watching me do what looked like grunt work for the purchasing department, those two guys only grew more dismissive. They slumped into their chairs, lazily scrolling through games on their phones.

I ignored them and stayed focused.

Once I finished the initial inspection, Elias and I started discussing development plans.

He seemed a little distracted while I was talking–almost like he’d gotten lost for a second just watching me work. I had to repeat part of my train of thought before he caught up.

It wasn’t until the sky darkened and someone knocked on the lab door that I finally paused.

The woman standing in the doorway was the kind who naturally commanded attention. Dressed in a pearl–white silk blouse of impeccable quality and a perfectly tailored charcoal pencil skirt, she exuded an air of polished competence. Her rich chestnut hair was swept back into a low chignon, with a few artful strands framing her face, softening an otherwise sharp, intelligent demeanor. Her smile was professionally flawless–warm, yet maintaining just the right degree of distance,

“Everyone,” she began, her voice calm and clear, “to celebrate the official launch of our project, Gavin has reserved a private dining room for dinner tonight.”

The project lead looked both surprised and delighted. “That’s wonderful. Please thank Mr. Windsor for us, Secretary Vera.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Vera replied, her smile unwavering. “Gavin will be joining us personally, so you’ll be able to thank him then.”

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Betrayed? I Upgraded to His Billionaire Brother

33.6%

Chapter 72

“He’s really coming?” someone murmured in disbelief.

Everyone knew how few projects in the group ever received his direct attention, let alone a casual team dinner.

Vera offered a light laugh, her gaze sweeping the room before lingering on me for a split second too long. “Would I joke about something like that?” Then she walked straight toward me. Her steps were measured, and her observant hazel eyes held a look that felt more assessing than a simple introduction warranted–like she was quietly evaluating a piece of a puzzle she’d already studied.

“Miss Windsor,” she said, extending her hand with that same polished smile. “I’m Vera, Gavin’s executive assistant.”

I was caught off guard. The specific attention felt… unusual.

Still, I took her hand gracefully. “Vera, I expect we’ll be relying on your help quite a bit during our time here at Windsor Group.”

“It’s what I’m here for,” she replied smoothly, withdrawing her hand with practiced ease. Yet that subtle sense of appraisal didn’t fade. “Shall we exchange contact information? To streamline communication.”

“Of course.”

I agreed outwardly, but my mind was already turning. I was sure we’d never met, yet something about her presence felt unnervingly familiar–as if she were looking not just at me, but through me. A woman at her level, serving at the top tier of a conglomerate, should have had no overlap with my

past.

So why did it feel like she already knew me?

I wasn’t entirely sure what she was up to, but having her number couldn’t hurt.

After Vera left, the two guys who’d been mocking me earlier were staring strangely in my direction.

They’d thought I had “some” connections.

But they hadn’t expected me to have that kind of reach.

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