He raised his glass higher.
“Which is why I’m proud to announce that Logan will be taking over as CEO of Parker Automotive Group effective immediately.”
The room exploded.
Champagne corks popped like gunfire.
People rushed to congratulate Logan, who was already shaking hands and accepting praise with the ease of someone who’d been expecting this moment his entire life.
“But Dad,” I started, my voice lost in the noise.
He turned to me, and for once his smile was genuine.
“You get nothing, Ethan. You were always the mistake. A moment of weakness when your mother convinced me we needed another child. But at least we got Logan first.”
The words hit me like physical blows.
Around us, people weren’t even pretending not to listen anymore.
This was blood in the water, and they were all sharks.
“William, perhaps this conversation should be private,” Uncle Henry suggested, appearing at my elbow.
“No, Henry, the boy needs to hear this publicly. He needs to understand his place.”
Dad pulled out the Ferrari keys, the fob catching the light like a ruby.
“Logan, your first acquisition as CEO.”
He tossed the keys in that perfect arc.
The crowd actually applauded the throw like it was some kind of performance art.
Logan caught them, of course, and held them up like a trophy.
“Thank you, Dad. I promised to double our value within 6 years.”
“Triple it,” someone shouted.
“Triple it then.” Logan laughed. “Why not? We’re Parkers.”
Lauren’s hand disappeared from mine.
When I turned, she was already halfway to Logan.
Her Versace heels clicking against the marble like a countdown to betrayal.
“Congratulations, Logan,” she said loud enough for everyone to hear. “You’ll be amazing.”
She didn’t look back at me, not once.
Aunt Sylvia, Dad’s sister, who ran a hedge fund in New York, whispered to her husband just loud enough for me to hear.
“Finally, William, cutting the dead weight. Smart move.”
Even Grandpa Thomas, propped up in his wheelchair by the fireplace, managed to mutter, “Should have been just one son, just Logan.”
I stood there in the center of my own birthday party, invisible and radioactive at the same time.
People moved around me like I was furniture, already discussing Logan’s plans for expansion, his vision for the future, his brilliant strategic mind.
“The inventory system Ethan created saved us nearly $450,000,” Uncle Henry said loudly, trying to help.
“A monkey could manage inventory,” Dad responded. “Leaders create empires. Followers count cars.”
The laughter that followed sounded like breaking glass.
I walked through the crowd, each step feeling like I was sinking into quicksand.
The valet kids at the door were all gathered around the Ferrari, taking photos, living vicariously through my brother’s success.
Behind me, I heard Dad’s voice one more time.
“To the future of Parker Automotive, to Logan, to Wyinners.”
The cheers followed me into the night.
The woman stood by the fountain like she’d been carved from the night itself.
Her coat was cashmere dark blue, probably worth more than my Honda.