Nathaniel listened without so much as lifting an eyelid.

    "In this situation, there''s nothing I can do," he said, turning to Robert. "Uncle Robert, business is business. You know a boss can''t sacrifice thepany''s interests for personal reasons."

    Robert''s face grew awkward. He took a gulp of wine, coughed several times, and nodded repeatedly. "Nathaniel is right. Wren, stop putting him on the spot. Even among brothers, ounts must be kept clear."

    Wren had not expected Nathaniel to contradict him in front of everyone.

    He frowned slightly, and as the family patriarch, spoke again to his son.

    "Nathaniel, regardless, we share the same blood. You can''t just watch your uncle''s business go downhill."

    Nathaniel understood his father''s temperament-soft-hearted to a fault.

    He said outright, "Dad, I''m not being unfeeling. How about this? I have a very capable manager at mypany. I''ll assign him to Uncle Robert''spany to help out."

    His suggestion left everyone at the table stunned.

    Robert''s family, in particr, was struck dumb.

    After all, having one of Nathaniel''s people manage theirpany would be no different from nting a spy at Robert''s side.

    And what if that man truly is ambitious and capable? With Nathaniel backing him, everything we''ve fought so hard to secure could be snatched away in an instant.

    "Well..." Robert looked genuinely torn. "Bringing in a total stranger to manage thepany just doesn''t feel right, does it?"

    "Uncle Robert, didn''t you say we''re all family? I''m your own nephew. Would I ever harm you? Or do you simply not trust me at all?"

    With just a few sentences, Nathaniel tossed all responsibility back onto Robert. Robert was utterly speechless.

    Beside him, Adrian kept his head down and focused on his food, unwilling to speak for his father.

    Over the past few weeks, he had realized it was safer to cling to his inheritance and drift along than to fight Nathaniel.

    Miranda, watching her husband''s cowardice, could barely contain her anger.

    "Nathaniel please don''t

    mis never about you. If

    misunderstand. My dad only worries about

    you''re willing to help ourpany, we''d be thrilled."

    Her single remark eased the tension at the table.

    While he spoke, Nathaniel deftly ced another morsel into Cecilia''s bowl.

    "Then let''s do it my way. Since you trust me, you should also trust the person I pick."

    Wren added, "Robert, rx. Nathaniel''s eye for talent is excellent. He''d never hurt you."

    Robert suddenly found himself

    cornered. If he refused Nathaniel, he

    would be admitting he didn''t trust

    Vel

    his own nephew, which was precisely the effect Nathaniel

    wanted. And he could never again ask Wren to speak on his behalf. But if he agreed, he feared every confidential detail of hispany would tumble straight into Nathaniel''s hands.

    Robert clenched his teeth and nodded. "All right, Nathaniel. Thanks in advance."

    He decided to go along for now; once that so-called manager arrived, he would

    find a chance to throw the man out.

    As Cecilia sampled the exquisite

    ет

    dishes, she listened to every word, quietly admiring Nathaniel. With only a handful of remarks, he had deft Robert no graceful way out.

    "Since everything''s settled, let''s finish our meal," Wren said.

    He was probably the only one genuinely hoping the two branches of the family would get along.

    Miranda resumed eating. Her gaze drifted to a dish near Adrian, and she murmured, "Could you pass me "

    Before she could finish, Adrian frowned.

    "Do you not have hands of your own?"