Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 231

Nigel’s gaze turned razor-sharp, like a blade. His fingers tensed, curling tightly with pronounced angles. His fist, already battered from an earlier clash, was tinged red.

But it was only for a moment. The tension drained from his clenched hand, and his red lips curled into a smirk, mocking and derisive.

“So, you’re my lover’s fiancé? It’d be stranger if I acted indifferent.”

“……”

Logan met his eyes expressionlessly. Nigel continued his taunting provocations.

“I didn’t expect to find you here.”

“Didn’t expect?”

Logan echoed the words in a low murmur, as if speaking to himself. Turning to glance briefly at the estate’s entrance, where Cecilia had yet to appear, he replied,

“This was a party I had no reason to be invited to.”

“Oh, so you managed to earn the right to attend a party you had no business being at? I suppose congratulations are in order.”

Logan raised an eyebrow at that, then let a small grin tug at his lips.

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“……”

This time, it was Nigel who chose silence. His discomfort was evident as he took a step closer to Logan.

His large hand moved as though to grab Logan by the collar but stopped short, brushing past it to tap lightly on his shoulder instead—a teasing provocation. Logan didn’t respond and simply gazed at him.

Their eyes met at an even level. For both of them, as tall as they were, this was an unusual occurrence.

“I heard my lover’s fiancé has no time for parties. So, what brings you here? Feeling lingering attachment, perhaps?”

“No. I’ve just finished speaking with her and was on my way out.”

“You met with Cecilia?”

“Yes.”

“Alone…?”

“Yes.”

Nigel’s face twisted into an expression of anger. He saw no need to hide his displeasure, so his irritation showed plainly.

But he found his reaction strange. Whatever Cecilia discussed with this man was none of his business. After all, it was Nigel himself who had brought Logan to this party in the first place.

Everything was going according to his plan.

So why was he so enraged? Was it simply because his blood hadn’t cooled after his fight with Ulysses?

Provoking Ulysses was nothing new—the man had always been insufferable. Nigel used anything at his disposal to bring him down.

But Logan Harper was different. He was merely Cecilia’s fiancé, someone with no connection or conflict with Nigel. In fact, their paths had never even crossed until now.

The only reason Nigel had involved this man was to irritate Cecilia. That was all.

Yes, that’s what he told himself. It was just lingering resentment toward that impudent woman, Cecilia.

Thus, there was no reason for him to harbor ill feelings toward Logan, let alone hurl rude provocations at him.

And yet…

As Nigel wrestled with his complicated emotions, Logan spoke.

“You don’t need to worry. She and I have decided to break off the engagement.”

The tangled thoughts in Nigel’s mind collapsed all at once, like a sandcastle swept away by a wave.

A broken engagement…

It was exactly what Cecilia wanted.

Her goal had been achieved.

‘…Ah. That’s right. He wasn’t my target—he was hers.’

Cecilia’s purpose had always been to end her engagement to Logan. That had nothing to do with Nigel. It was entirely her business and solely to her benefit.

And yet…

Nigel’s lips curled upward despite himself. His expression twisted as though he were trying to mask his spontaneous laughter with scorn.

By the time Nigel regained his composure, Logan was no longer looking at him. His eyes drifted again toward the estate.

But Logan soon let out a self-deprecating chuckle and began walking toward his carriage. Nigel didn’t bother commanding him to bow politely or respond to his provocations. Logan didn’t rise to the bait or retaliate with a fight.

To Nigel, it felt like an anticlimactic conclusion. Though the two men had every reason to clash, they managed to part without any direct confrontation.

Nigel silently watched Logan’s retreating figure. Slowly, his rationality returned, and he began to analyze the man.

There was no hesitation in Logan’s stride—a sign of someone with no vulnerabilities. Though his back was turned, it was clear he was ready to respond to any ambush.

Despite dismissing him as a mere commoner, Nigel was fully aware of Logan’s tumultuous origins. Not just his lineage—his accomplishments were also well-known. No one in the military could be unaware of them.

Nigel’s eyes narrowed.

Kindred spirits recognize one another. That wasn’t the posture of a coward running away from his woman.

There was an unmistakable air of ease about him, as if he had already grasped the truth of the situation.

“…Annoying bastard.”

Nigel muttered under his breath.

Even though he should have been the victor today, he didn’t feel like he’d won at all.