CHAPTER 150: DANGEROUS!!

The black car slid into the underground parking of The Atelier, its headlights cutting across the glossy cement before dimming to silence. Miles stepped out, his movements calm but deliberate, the weight of his thoughts following him up the elevator that led into the heart of the restaurant.

The low hum of conversation and the clinking of cutlery greeted him as he emerged into the main hall. Warm lights spilled across polished wooden floors, and the faint aroma of Elena’s cooking drifted from the kitchen.

By the counter, Daniel stood beside the biller, sleeves rolled neatly, his usual calm smile greeting Miles.

"You’re quite early today," Daniel said, raising an eyebrow.

Miles drew in a steady breath, keeping his voice neutral. "Nothing, father. I just came here to see how everything’s going."

Daniel studied his expression for a moment. "Is there anything wrong?"

Miles shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Not at all. Where’s mom?"

"In the kitchen," Daniel replied with a hint of pride. "We’ve got foreign customer today. She decided to personally prepare a few dishes for her."

That single word—foreign—made Miles’s gaze sharpen. "Foreign customer?" His voice dropped lower, measured. "Is she in a private room?"

Daniel shook his head. "No, she’s right there in the hall, sitting with everyone. Look."

Miles followed his father’s gaze.

And there she was.

At a corner table, dressed with the poise of someone who carried danger like a second skin, Thea sat calmly with a half-finished plate before her. Two of her men stood nearby, sunglasses hiding where their eyes were truly fixed, but their presence was unmistakable—trained, alert, dangerous.

The rest of the guests ate and laughed, blissfully unaware that perhaps the most dangerous woman in Star Harbor at this very moment was sharing the room with them.

Miles’s eyes hardened. His steps didn’t falter, but inside, his mind calculated every possible move, every threat, every path this encounter might take.

"Do you know her?" Daniel asked, noticing the intensity in Miles’s eyes.

Miles nodded slightly, his lips curving into a controlled smile. "Yes. I do. Can you arrange a bottle of premium wine for her?"

"Of course."

Daniel motioned to a waiter, and within moments, an elegant bottle of premium red wine—rare and costly—was brought out, its glass glinting under the soft lights.

The waiter approached Thea’s table carefully, placing the bottle down with a polite bow.

"Miss Thea, this is on the house. Our boss has sent it for you."

Thea tilted her head, clearly intrigued. Her lips curved into a smile that was both graceful and unsettling. "I didn’t order this," she said, though her eyes never left the counter.

And then she saw him.

Miles. Standing tall by the counter, calm, collected—watching her.

For the briefest second, recognition flickered in her eyes, followed by an expression that was almost... amused. She raised her hand, waving at him with the ease of a princess acknowledging an equal.

Miles returned the gesture, his own smile controlled, polite.

"Thank you," Thea said, her voice smooth as silk, turning back to the waiter. "Can you ask Mr. Miles to join me?"

The waiter nodded, hurrying across the room. Miles saw the man lean close, delivering her words softly.

For a moment, Miles’s eyes locked with hers across the hall.

Thea’s gaze was unwavering, sharp, like a predator daring him to step closer.

And Miles, his own composure steady as stone, took a slow breath and began walking towards her.

The polished floor echoed faintly with each step, the air between them tightening, drawing every eye nearby without anyone truly understanding why.

He reached the table, and with a faint nod, he greeted her.

"Good evening, Miss Thea."

Thea smiled, resting her hand lightly against the wine bottle. "Mr. Miles," she said, her voice low and deliberate, "I didn’t know you owned this place."

Miles leaned back slightly, letting the faintest of smiles touch his lips.

"Ohh, it is a dream restaurant of mine."

Thea’s eyes sparkled with a teasing glint. "I love this place. The food is out of the world. If you don’t mind..." she leaned forward, her voice dropping playfully, "can you give your chef to me?"

Her bodyguards shifted a little at her words, though their eyes remained locked on Miles like hawks.

Miles chuckled softly but shook his head. "I apologise, Miss Thea, but I can’t do that. That chef is the USP of this place."

"Of course," Thea replied with an amused smirk. "I can see that. I was just kidding. Think of it as my way of complimenting the chef."

"I’ll make sure the message is conveyed," Miles said smoothly, his tone polite without revealing that the chef was Elena herself.

Thea tilted her head. "Let me give a proper introduction. I am Thea Vik. Ambassador from Norway."

Miles’s gaze flickered briefly to her men, still watching him like predators circling prey. He smiled faintly. "Ahh. That explains the bodyguards glaring at me like they’re about to pounce."

Thea chuckled, not denying it.

Miles inclined his head slightly. "I’m Miles Sterling. A restaurant owner, you could say."

Her brows arched ever so slightly at the name. "Your last name is Sterling?"

Miles’s smile didn’t waver. "Does that ring a bell?"

Thea’s gaze lingered on him, curious. "Do you know the Sterling family in Citadel City?"

Miles’s tone turned flat but controlled. "I don’t talk about them, Miss Thea. And I don’t really know them. I only learned of their existence recently. But it doesn’t matter. I have nothing to do with them."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if measuring the weight of his words. "Really? They are... truly not one of your people?"

Miles leaned forward slightly, his eyes steady. "Do you believe in Adam and Eve, Miss Thea?"

She blinked, then chuckled. "Yes, I believe that’s how humans began."

"Then that makes it easy," Miles replied calmly. "That theory suggests you and I might be siblings, or relatives of some kind. But does it mean I’m also a part of your family?"

Thea leaned back in her chair, a slow smile curving on her lips. "Interesting point. But theories aside, the Sterlings are rich in Citadel. Don’t you ever think of rising to their level... as a Sterling yourself?"

Miles’s smile sharpened, almost amused. "Money comes and goes, Miss Thea. I can earn mine. They can earn theirs."

For a moment, Thea simply watched him, her expression unreadable, as though she were weighing every word he spoke. Then, softly, she smiled. "You are really interesting, Mr. Miles."

Her gaze softened into something almost casual. "I’ll be here for a few days. If you are free, join me for a day out. I would love your company."

Miles inclined his head slightly, his tone warm but careful. "I am grateful, Miss Thea."

Thea’s lips curved knowingly. "You don’t look like the kind of man who would call me first. So..." she reached for her phone, her voice silky, "can I have your number?"

Miles chuckled, a low sound. "Oh, of course."

He shared his contact, their eyes meeting one last time, a silent understanding passing between them—danger wrapped in politeness, interest cloaked in diplomacy.

And just like that, Thea rose gracefully, her guards falling into place behind her. She left the restaurant without hostility, her steps calm, as though nothing at all was wrong.

Miles watched her go, his eyes narrowing slightly, before finally exhaling a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Star Harbor, beachside apartment.

The sea breeze brushed faintly against the glass windows as Thea sat in the living room, one leg crossed over the other, a porcelain cup of coffee balanced in her hand. On the large TV screen, the bright advertisement of Sterling Enterprises flashed, showing their iconic logo and polished cityscapes.

She didn’t blink, didn’t shift, just watched it quietly.

Behind her, the soft sound of shoes against marble echoed. A man in a black suit stepped forward, his posture crisp.

"What did you find?" Thea asked without turning her head.

The man lowered his gaze slightly. "Princess, the restaurant was ordinary on the surface. But the security there... too perfect. Every inch was covered, every exit guarded. It cannot be breached. Difficult to say if they were specifically eyeing us, or if this is just their regular protocol."

Thea finally looked at him, her eyes narrowing. "Regular protocol with that level of defense?"

He nodded. "The deployed guards were professionals. Former military, ex-cops. All of them are under Sterling Security."

She stirred her coffee gently, the spoon clinking once against porcelain. "Why does a restaurant need this much security?"

The man tapped the tablet he carried, pulling up details. "According to the report from Kyle Sterling, Miles has a family. A biological mother, stepfather, and half-siblings. From the information I gathered, the Atelier is run by his mother, Elena, and her husband Daniel."

Thea’s lips curved faintly. "Ah. That explains it. Quite a good son. Cares for his family." She tilted her head, a flicker of curiosity flashing in her gaze. "Wait... are you telling me one of his family members is the chef?"

"Yes, Princess. His mother Elena. The restaurant runs on her recipes."

Thea leaned back into the sofa, her coffee steaming in her hand. A soft laugh escaped her lips. "That explains his reaction when I asked to ’take’ the chef. Protective to the core. Interesting."

The man remained still, waiting.

"And the businesses?"

"Sterling Enterprises is the leading force in Star Harbor. They’ve spread themselves across several industries and facilities. If he chooses, he can monitor almost every major event happening in this city. Their reach is deep."

Thea set her coffee cup down with a quiet click. Her eyes lingered on the city skyline outside the window, the lights flickering across the sea.

"He says money doesn’t matter to him," she murmured softly, almost to herself. "But maybe... he simply believes in building things on his own. Not depending on others."

The man bowed his head. "Shall I proceed with further investigation?"

Thea raised her hand, dismissive. "No. That will be all for now. Leave me."

The man bowed lower this time, then turned and walked away, his figure disappearing down the corridor.

Thea remained alone in the wide living room, the silence thickening around her. She picked up her cup once more, her reflection catching faintly on the black coffee’s surface.

Her lips curved into the slightest smile.

"Protective. Ambitious. Dangerous... Miles Sterling."

She took another sip, eyes never leaving the glittering city lights beyond the glass.

Thea’s smile faded as she leaned forward and set her cup aside. From her designer bag she slipped out a second phone—slim, matte black, with no logos, no trace of origin. Her fingers moved without hesitation, pressing the very first number in the speed dial list.

It rang only once.

A deep male voice answered, calm but heavy with command.

"What is it?"

Thea lowered her voice, her tone carrying the weight of both respect and calculation.

"I reached Star Harbor."

There was a pause on the other end. Then the voice came again.

"Did you see him?"

Thea’s eyes glimmered as her mind replayed Miles’s calm smile in the restaurant. His protective stance, his sharp presence, the way he didn’t flinch when her eyes met his.

"Yes," she said slowly. "He is doing well."

For a moment there was silence. Then the man’s tone shifted, colder, deliberate.

"Good. Wait for further instructions."

Thea’s lips curled faintly. "Understood."

The line clicked dead.

Thea placed the phone back into her bag, her fingers lingering over the clasp. She leaned back against the sofa once more, her gaze drifting toward the night sea outside.

The waves shimmered beneath the moonlight, calm and endless.

Her smile returned, soft but unreadable.