Chapter 102

As Damian's words hung in the air, the grand living room fell into a heavy silence.

Leonard remained quiet, merely lifting his gaze to meet Nathan's. It was obvious this decision rested solely with Nathan. Years ago, during that pivotal incident, Leonard had vowed never to interfere in such matters again.

Nathan shattered the stillness with a low chuckle. "So, Damian, you're considering coming back?"

Damian nodded. "Yes. The years are catching up to me, and keeping pace with everything has become... challenging. I'd like to return and spend more time with Dad. He's getting older, and having family close would mean the world to him."

After a brief pause, he added, "As for my position at the company, you're in charge. Place me wherever you see fit."

Evelyn barely suppressed an eye roll. Damian was clearly playing the sentimental card by bringing up Leonard. Yet, his willingness to submit to Nathan's decision showed he was prepared to concede—at least on the surface.

Nathan's expression remained unreadable; Damian's words didn't seem to faze him in the slightest. He responded with a faint, almost indifferent smile. "If you're eager to return, Damian, then by all means, do so."

The moment the words left his lips, everyone—except Evelyn—stared at him in stunned silence. No one had expected him to agree so easily.

But Evelyn knew better. Nathan wasn’t finished.

In that same casual tone, he continued, "You'll start at Silvercrest tomorrow."

"Silvercrest?" Damian's face tightened. "That’s nothing but a failing subsidiary!"

Indeed, Silvercrest was a minor branch of the Black empire, notorious for its underperformance.

"Exactly," Nathan replied smoothly. "Is that a problem? Are you refusing the position?"

Damian’s eyes narrowed slightly, catching the unspoken challenge in Nathan’s tone.

He had been certain that, despite everything, Nathan would secure him a managerial role within Black Enterprises. Never had he imagined being relegated to a struggling, insignificant subsidiary!

Yet, after a tense pause, Damian forced a smile. "I’ll take it. Nathan, you’re the CEO. I trust your judgment and will follow your lead."

The two brothers locked eyes, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension.

Nathan had agreed to Damian’s return for two reasons. First, he was curious about Damian’s true motives. Second, he knew Leonard, despite his stoic exterior, deeply missed his eldest son. Margaret had once confided that she often found Leonard awake late at night, staring at an old photograph of him and Damian, his sighs heavy with regret.

Hearing the exchange, Leonard’s face lit up with genuine joy. "Wonderful! Then it’s settled. Now that we’re all together, let’s have dinner."

His happiness was palpable. Though he rarely drank these days, he instructed Winston to bring out a bottle of his finest wine—tonight was a celebration.

Dinner progressed in a surprisingly warm atmosphere. Midway through the meal, Adrian unexpectedly placed a piece of fish on Evelyn’s plate.

"Here, Evelyn. Try this."

Evelyn eyed the fish warily before, without hesitation, sliding it onto an empty plate nearby. "Sorry. I don’t eat fish."