Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 271

From the beginning, Christian had been indifferent to his half-brother. Ordinarily, half siblings were wary of each other, often clashing over inheritance rights. But his case was different.

The old man of the Harper family was as rigid in personality as he was in appearance. With his pride towering above all else, he had never asked the duchy to acknowledge his grandson.

Thus, legally speaking, they were complete strangers.

Moreover, the Harper family, where Logan was officially registered, was wealthy enough that they had no reason to covet the assets of the Pierce Duchy.

With both men set to inherit separate families, there was no room for disputes over paternal succession.

In the past, Christian would have ignored Logan or, at most, extended a friendly handshake.

He had once possessed the leisure to smile at an unlucky half-brother born into a less fortunate position than himself.

Now, things were different.

After days of sleepless nights, Christian was more irritable and on edge than ever.

He had never been consumed by financial worries before, yet here he was, drowning in them.

And then, Logan Harper appeared—impeccably dressed, composed, and dignified.

His mere presence felt like a needle pricking Christian’s nerves.

“Unbelievable. Just my luck to run into the likes of you at a time like this.”

Christian muttered under his breath, glaring.

Logan narrowed his eyes at him.

“Hmm…”

Logan studied him intently before finally speaking.

“Ah, Young Duke Christian.”

The silence between them stretched unnaturally long.

Christian let out a scoff.

‘Did he not recognize me at first? Is it even possible not to recognize me in the capital? No way.’

The question was too humiliating to ask, so he swallowed it.

“I didn’t intend to appear in front of you, but… I never expected to meet you like this. Ah, but first—please, stand up.”

Logan extended a hand.

Only then did Christian fully take in his own situation.

“…Damn it.”

He had collided with Logan and somehow been the only one to fall.

The humiliation was unbearable.

Christian ignored Logan’s offered hand and sprang to his feet, brushing the dust from his clothes.

At the same time, the black leather glove that had been on his hand slipped off and fell to the ground.

A boy in suspenders quickly darted forward, snatched up the glove, and ran off—but Christian didn’t even notice.

He was too busy fussing over his own appearance.

“My clothes are a mess. How are you going to take responsibility for this?”

“Send the bill to the Harper family. However much it costs, we’ll compensate you double.”

“…I was talking about moral responsibility.”

“I thought this was a case of shared fault… or do you require a formal apology?”

Christian lifted his chin defiantly.

“Of course. A commoner has inconvenienced a noble—there is no ‘shared fault’. You should be grateful I’m not hauling you off to the authorities right now.”

“Then feel free to settle this through legal means. I’ll inform my grandfather’s legal counsel in advance.”

“Hah…”

Christian raised his hands in mock defeat.

“I suppose there’s no reasoning with the nouveau riche.”

It was a crude provocation.

Logan refused to engage and simply bowed his head slightly, ready to move on.

Christian grabbed his wrist purely out of stubbornness—or childish spite.

“Just apologize properly, and that’s it. I’m a generous man. If you simply say the words, I can let this go.”

Logan, who had unexpectedly run into an old connection and was now dealing with an unwelcome encounter, smiled faintly.

“Young Duke, I wouldn’t mind kneeling before you a hundred times if that’s what you wish. Since I am a commoner, as you say, obedience to my superiors is a given.”

With a light movement, Logan pried Christian’s hand off his wrist. It was an effortless gesture, yet Christian felt a sting of humiliation.

“So if that is what you truly want, I will apologize as much as necessary. Right here and now.”

The street was not the busiest part of town, but it was still a thoroughfare. With the sun high in the sky, noblewomen and young ladies strolled about, and nearby shops had their doors wide open.

Everyone was watching them with curiosity.

Logan Harper and Christian Pierce. One was a guardian of the seas, the other a notorious libertine of the capital.

If they caused a scene here, who would truly suffer the greater loss?