A twisted smile formed on his youthful face, like a demon from hell. Audrey fainted on the spot from sheer shock.
Hundreds of guests stood frozen in place, petrified.
After this incident, he was swiftly sent abroad by Garner.
Fifteen years later.
Parker's Corporation fell into a devastating crisis. Bankruptcy and liquidation loomed.
By then, Logan, only twenty-three years old, had already made a name for himself overseas with sharp business acumen and his own empire.
Garner had no choice but to turn to him for help.
But little did he know—he was inviting a wolf into his home.
Parker's Corporation survived, but it no longer belonged to Garner. It fell directly into Logan's hands.
With his newfound power, Logan ruthlessly expelled William from the Parker family records. Audrey was thrown out of the estate like trash. As for Garner, rumors swirled that he'd been locked inside the family's Buddhist hall, forced to repent daily before his late wife's portrait.
Companies that once thrived under the Parker Corporation began collapsing like dominoes under Logan's iron grip.
Soon, more than half the businesses in New York City were affected.
Every day, desperate people knelt outside Logan Manor, begging for mercy.
But no matter how loud they cried, they were dragged away mercilessly.
Those who couldn't withstand the debt collectors and ended their lives were as numerous as fish crossing the river.
And so, the name Logan Parker—New York City's living Grim Reaper—was born.
Later, William, along with those he had once suppressed, plotted against him and forced his car off a cliff…
Back then, she had known about William's scheme but said nothing—just silently watched Logan die.
After Logan's death, William seized the empire Logan had built and, in collusion with Hailey, extended his claws toward Natalie.
Looking back, if Logan hadn't died, William would've never had the power to harm Natalie. So in a way, her fate was sealed. Karma was inevitable.
But wait…
If he was dead… then how was he standing here now, alive and staring at her with that same icy gaze?
Was he… here to take her life?
A shiver crept down her spine. Her body trembled involuntarily.
No, that couldn't be. Why was she feeling this chill?
Could a soul even feel cold?
"If you're scared, why did you come?" he asked, his voice low.
Come to him? Was she insane?
After what she'd done, she hadn't even had the courage to face him.
"For him, you'll do anything," he said mockingly, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Why did his voice sound so familiar?
Natalie's eyes flickered in confusion.
Then something struck her.
She looked down.
She was wearing a familiar white dress—with a small bear motif made of leftover rhinestones from the jewelry designs she had recently finished for William.
"Wait… This is… five years ago?"
No wonder she woke up in Logan's bed.
She had been sent here by William—herself.
Five years ago, when Logan had just returned to the Parker family, William plotted to kick him out.
And part of his plan was to frame Logan for stealing his younger brother's fiancée.
Natalie, William's fiancée at the time, had refused to go along with it.
So William drugged her drink.
When she passed out, he sent her straight to Logan's room.
When she woke up...
All the scenes overlapped.
So she had been reborn?
But why… why now?
Why in this bed?
If it had been another time or place, she would've bowed three times to thank the heavens for her rebirth.
But now?
Well… rebirth still meant a second chance.
A chance to reclaim all the pain, injustice, hatred, and betrayal from her past life.
Hailey. William. Thomas…
I, Natalie Roberts, have returned.
A rush of excitement washed away the fear in her heart.
Five years ago, Logan had just come back and was alive and well.
If he was alive, then everything could change.
Meeting his cold gaze, Natalie drew a deep breath and said with clarity:
"William drugged me and sent me here to frame you. He wanted to use this to kick you out of the Parker family."
"He's already succeeded," Logan replied. "You've stepped into this room. Whether we sleep together or not, he won't let you off."
The enemy of my enemy is my ally, she thought.
No matter how terrifying Logan was, whatever scared William—that's what she needed now.
Logan's eyes narrowed as he looked her over, lips curling into a chilling smile.
Natalie stiffened.
She had seen this smile before.
In her past life, this very smile had collapsed entire empires.
He didn't believe her.
Nervously, she swallowed and quickly added, "I'm not lying. He definitely did something to you. You feel it, don't you?"
Logan could feel it. He'd already taken a cold shower to suppress it.
But he didn't believe this girl would betray William so easily.
Seeing him remain silent, Natalie grew anxious.
"If he planned to frame you, he wouldn't have held back. He definitely used a strong dose. If you don't act, it'll hurt you," she said quickly.
"And right now… only I can help you!"
As soon as she said it, her cheeks flushed bright red.
But the bow was drawn—the arrow had to fly.
To prove her sincerity, she reached out and pulled down the strap of her dress, revealing flawless, porcelain skin.
"I'm willing to help you!"
Logan: "..."
The desire he had been suppressing suddenly broke free.
Natalie, misreading his stillness, thought she hadn't done enough.
Recalling movie scenes, she leaned closer, softened her gaze, and ran her tongue slowly across her lips.
The fire in Logan's eyes ignited like a match dropped in gasoline.
He hated this feeling—losing control. Logan raised his hand and pressed his thumb against his temple, trying to regain composure. His cold, shadowed gaze swept over Natalie with clear disdain.
"William's woman. Filthy."
Natalie used to believe William respected her because he never touched her. Now, she realized the truth—he didn't love her. He was disgusted by her, and it had nothing to do with respect.
Logan's eyes flickered with a barely noticeable emotion as he asked, "Why are you willing to help me?"
"Because I need your protection, Lord Logan."
Humiliating William was only one part of her plan. Her real intention was to use her body to gain a powerful ally. At the very least, she couldn't afford to be seen as Logan'
s enemy.