Logan, now seated again with his legs crossed, smirked. "I'll give you a chance to correct what you said. What kind of person is Natalie?"
"She…" William clenched his teeth, rage and shame battling in his chest.
He wanted to call her a lapdog again—but Logan's icy stare shut him up instantly.
"Speak," Logan ordered, voice cold.
William's entire body trembled. Then, a terrifying thought struck him: if a mentally ill person kills someone, it's not considered murder.
And Logan was definitely not sane.
To save himself, William swallowed his pride. "Natalie… she's very good."
Logan nodded, satisfied. "Good. Then don't ever speak ill of her again. Next time, your legs won't be so lucky."
"Logan!"
"You don't believe me?"
William pressed his lips together, refusing to respond—but the fear in his eyes gave him away.
Logan leaned forward, his voice low and lethal. "Remember this—Natalie now belongs to me, Logan. If you see her, keep your distance."
He turned away and shoved a document toward Garner. "In exchange, I won't demand the chairman seat. But these stores—transfer them to me immediately."
When it came to profit, William snapped back to life. "Logan, you've only just returned. What makes you think you deserve those?!"
Logan pointed to the file lying open on the coffee table. "Because of this."
William sneered. "That's just reputation…"
In his mind, reputation was worthless compared to real power and money. With enough wealth, no one dared speak against you.
"Second Young Master is so dignified," Logan said with a sarcastic smile. He glanced toward Dylan. "Help him out. Go ahead, send the documents out…"
"Wait—don't be rash, Logan!" Garner quickly intervened. "William's reputation may not matter to you, but he's still a board member of the Parker family. If this scandal breaks, our stock prices will crash."
Logan nodded, thoughtful. "You're right."
Garner sighed in relief.
Then Logan added, "Maybe we should just fire him first?"
"Even if his reputation is bad, it won't affect our Parker family!" Garner said, his head pounding like a thousand needles. He forced himself to stay calm despite the pain and added, "Appointing and removing directors requires a lengthy process. It's not something settled with a few words. Logan, my father is about to attend the board meeting, and your membership will be discussed. As for you, don't just sit idle. I've already asked the secretary to send a notice to the shops you requested. Head there now and oversee the handover properly."
Logan, seemingly appeased, flicked his finger, signaling his men to leave. The tense atmosphere finally dissipated the moment he walked out.
Garner immediately summoned the doctor waiting outside. "Quick, check on the second young master."
He looked at William's bleeding leg with concern. He feared it might be permanently damaged. Fortunately, although Logan had become increasingly difficult, William reacted swiftly. The injuries were superficial—just torn flesh—no bones were affected.
After the doctor left, Garner sighed deeply. "William, what you did last night really crossed the line."
William remained silent.
Garner rubbed his temples, visibly exhausted. "I'm getting old, and eventually, the Parker family will be in your hands. But before that happens, your elder brother must be placated."
William scoffed. "So, your method of appeasement is to give him the shops he wants and a seat on the board?"
"Your father is only acting out of practicality. He did contribute to the Parker family this time. As for you, William, remember—every action has consequences," Garner said as William stared at him coldly.
Garner let out another long sigh. "Your brother... he's grown up without a mother. All these years, we didn't care for him enough. That's how he developed such an overbearing personality. When dealing with someone like him, you have to be strategic. Go along with him when necessary, even if it doesn't sit well with you."
"After all, he's still your older brother."
William didn't respond.
Garner was aging, and his influence was waning. Yet he clung to power, hoping it would bring his sons together. He longed for a peaceful retirement, for harmony among his descendants. But he never realized that his sons were destined never to experience true brotherhood.
"Thomas Roberts invited me to dinner tonight. He mentioned a new project. It looks like he wants to take advantage of us."
"I've thought it through. Since your brother is interested in Natalie, why not let them be together?"
"That way, last night's incident can be brushed off as a spontaneous romance. Let's just have your brother marry Natalie quickly."
"Natalie is my fiancee!" William snapped.
Just because Logan was interested in her, did he have to give her up? Let Logan marry her? The whole of NY City knew Natalie was William's fiancee. If she suddenly became Logan's wife, what would that make William?
Garner's expression darkened. "William, have you really thought this through? Is it worth it to oppose your brother over a woman?"
William's tone turned ice-cold. "In your eyes, my brother has always been more important, hasn't he? More important than me, even more than Mom?"
"You still believe he was mistreated by Mom when he was young, don't you?"
"Even after it was proven that it was all his manipulation! But you still refuse to believe it!"
"No matter what it is, if my brother wants it, I'm the one who has to step aside, right?"
Garner released his temples and massaged his brow. "Enough. What's past is past. It doesn't matter who was right or wrong. Let's not dig up old wounds. Now that your brother is back in the company, it's up to you both to prove yourselves."
"If you can win first place in this year's jewelry design competition, no matter how capable your brother is, he won't be able to take your position in Parker's Cooperation."
"William, remember—true ability always speaks louder than anything else."
"I understand. I've already designed my entry. I'll definitely win first place."
Garner nodded in satisfaction. "That's the spirit. A man should focus on his career. Since you're not willing to give up on Natalie, then get her to take responsibility with Thomas Roberts."
"We don't have extra funds to appease Thomas right now."
"Understood. I'll talk to Natalie."
William still didn't believe their breakup was final.
Even though she'd been firm that morning and even accepted a breakup fee of ten million dollars, could a relationship of over ten years really end just like that?
In his heart, she was like a well-trained pet. Maybe she disobeyed occasionally, but once he reached out, she would return to him with joy, just like before.
Meanwhile…
Logan, who had just left Parker's Tower, turned to his bodyguard and issued a few quiet instructions. The bodyguard immediately stepped out of the car and returned to the building.
Dylan smirked beside him.
"Master, won't this move of yours push William over the edge?"
"He's not that easy to break," Logan replied, adjusting his sleeve with a sly grin.
Back at his office, William adjusted his suit in the mirror with meticulous care.