CHAPTER 168: NEW RULE!!

The words he let out were colder than any shout. "You killed my father,"

Kyle’s hand moved before anyone could blink—desperation raw in the jerky motion as he tried to aim at Miles again and pull the trigger.

But Miles was faster. He snatched Kyle’s wrist mid-pull and twisted the barrel away. A single, collective scream ripped through the hall; hands flew to mouths, faces went white.

With cold, precise force Miles slammed Kyle’s arm down. The gun clattered free and spun across the marble. Miles caught it with his free hand and, without breaking his stare, pressed the muzzle against Kyle’s mouth until the man choked and fell silent.

A shocked gasp ripped through the room; Chester’s chair scraped back as if to move but feet stayed rooted to the marble. Silence swallowed the hall—only the quick, terrified intake of breath and a single, trembling hand clutched at a handkerchief.

"I didn’t mean to kill him— I’m sorry," Kyle rasped through the metal, words small and useless.

The aides who had been reaching for their weapons froze. Confusion and fear tangled on their faces; they didn’t know whether to obey or flee. The whole room smelled like panic.

Miles’ voice was quiet and deadly calm. "Did you just say sorry?"

"K... I..." Kyle stammered, sweat on his face.

"Time’s up, Kyle." Miles slid the gun back, uncuffed fury folded into the single sentence. He bent, picked up his coat from where it had fallen, slipped it on with a motion that was almost casual, and tapped his phone.

In less than a minute the hall’s heavy doors and shuttered windows burst open. Men in tactical gear flowed in—Sterling security, trained and efficient—seizing guns, snapping cuffs on the aides’ wrists, and pinning hands behind backs. The aides’ raised weapons were caught and wrested away as if by invisible strings.

Gasps of shock melted into uneven breaths of relief; some of the elders slumped back in their seats, clutching their chests as if the air had finally returned. A few whispered prayers under trembling lips, while others simply stared at Miles—half in awe, half in fear—realizing the storm had shifted to his command.

Kyle coughing on the ground.

"Take them out of this hall," Miles ordered.

"Yes, boss," came the crisp reply.

Gordon’s voice cracked as he tried to regain control. "Call the authorities, Silvey."

"No." Miles looked at him, flat. "Do you think I’ll let them slip? I’ll take them with me."

Chester sprang up, fury swallowing caution. "You will not take my son!"

Miles turned on him like a blade. "Will you stop me?"

Chester’s bravado flickered. He spat a threat—one of blood and old grudge—then suddenly found his throat dry. Miles’ hand closed on Kyle’s neck and hauled him up; the old arrogance bled out of Kyle’s face into terror.

"Repeat what you said, Chester," Miles barked.

Chester snapped at Kyle to be left alone. Gordon begged for calm. Chester’s repeated apologies were hollow—fear had taken him.

Miles released Kyle with contempt, letting him slump, breath ragged and wet. Security moved in, fast and uncompromising. Kyle and Chester fought and cursed, but the agents were already clipping cuffs and steering them toward the doors. Family members muttered and glanced at one another, but no one stepped forward to stop the extraction. Gordon kept his head down, unable—or unwilling—to meet Miles’ eyes.

"Do not hurt them," Miles said to the agents as they hauled the two men away. "Keep them uninjured. I’ll see them again."

"Copy that, boss," the lead replied.

The doors closed behind the departing officers and the two Sterling men. For a long beat the room held its breath: a family hall that had started the day with votes and speeches now felt hollow, emptied of certainty.

Miles remained standing in the center of the marble floor, coat settled over his shoulders, the echo of the closing doors still ringing in his ears. Faces turned toward him—some relieved, some scared, most stunned. The meeting that had begun with protocol and pretense had ended with chains and a single, immovable figure in the middle of it all.

Miles straightened his coat and looked around the grand hall where moments ago chaos had ruled. His voice was steady now, cutting through the murmurs like a clean edge. "So, it’s time for the real meeting now."

Gordon nodded slowly, his tone carrying the exhaustion of an old man who’d seen too much. "Everyone, it was unfortunate that we had to witness something like this. The rules were broken. I never thought a family member would do something so disgraceful. We failed to protect the Sterling name properly." His gaze swept across the room, heavy with disappointment. "But now... we have truly seen their faces. And I warn you clearly—things like these will never be tolerated again."

The room stayed silent. Eyes lowered, guilt and fear hanging thick in the air.

Gordon looked toward Miles, his voice softer now. "Miles, I cannot imagine what you have been through all your life. It won’t be enough, but we apologize that we couldn’t do anything."

Miles said nothing. His eyes drifted to the far window, the city skyline glinting beyond. His silence carried more weight than words could.

Gordon took a slow breath. "Let’s finish what we started. As decided, we will continue. Since only one candidate remains now... we all know who rightfully gets the position."

He looked around the table. "Raise your hands if anyone disagrees."

Not a single hand moved. Heads lowered instead. No one dared to speak.

Miles looked at them, his expression unreadable. "It’s time to change the rules," he said quietly. "I don’t want a single thing."

David’s brow furrowed. "But Miles—"

Miles turned to him, his voice softer but firm. "Uncle David, to be honest, I’m only part of this family meeting because of Silvey. I could’ve taken care of Kyle outside these walls, but it was important for all of you to know his reality."

The hall was utterly still. Even the ticking clock on the far wall seemed to hold its breath.

Gordon leaned forward, his tone earnest. "But why don’t you stay? We are your family. You can be here, take your rightful place, be part of ACE."

Miles shook his head slowly. "I have a family waiting for me in Star Harbor. I lost them for seventeen years. I won’t lose them again. I have my own world there, and I cannot bring them here."

He paused, looking at each face around the table—some remorseful, some uncertain, some quietly admiring.

"But," Miles added, "if you truly want me to be part of ACE..."

He looked straight at Gordon. "I have one condition."

David leaned forward. "What is that?"

Miles turned his gaze toward Silvey, his voice calm but firm. "Silvey will represent me."

The hall erupted in whispers, a ripple of surprise running through the rows of family members. Some murmured in disbelief, others in quiet protest.

Gordon cleared his throat sharply, his voice rising above the noise. "Enough. Everyone, silence."

He turned toward Miles, his tone uneasy. "We cannot do that, Miles. Our family rules are clear. It doesn’t allow daughters to control the company."

Miles’ eyes narrowed. "Don’t you think that’s unfair? You arrange marriages for your daughters just to expand your connections."

Gordon’s shoulders sank, guilt flickering in his eyes. David remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Gordon sighed. "But it has always been this way. I cannot make an exception."

Miles took a slow step forward, his voice carrying through the hall like a strike of thunder. "Then change the damn rule, will you? Look around you—women across the world are leading empires, running nations. And you’re still stuck in these outdated rules that trade away your own blood like bargaining chips. You take away their freedom and sell your talented family members for alliances. You have no right to decide her life."

The hall went dead silent. Every word carried weight; every face turned pale.

Gordon tried to speak. "But—"

Miles turned to David. "Uncle David, can you run ACE in your condition?"

David hesitated, then spoke quietly, "The doctor said I won’t be able to walk for long. And it’s time for the younger generation to take over."

Miles nodded. "Then if you want my support, give Silvey the chair. She has my full backing. If not..." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the family. "This will be the last time we ever see each other."

Gordon’s expression broke into a pained sigh. "Don’t say that, Miles. I still remember your grandfather Timothy leaving the family—that was my biggest loss. Now that you’ve finally come here, I wish you’d stay in touch."

Miles’ tone softened, but only slightly. "Then I choose Silvey as the representative."

He looked around the hall. "If anyone disagrees, raise your hands."

Not a single hand went up. Only the quiet shuffling of uneasy feet.

Miles’ eyes narrowed. "Those who agree, raise your hands."

One by one, hands began to rise—hesitant at first, then in unison. Whether it was fear or the slow acceptance of change, no one could tell.

Miles gave a short nod. "So from today, there’s a new rule in the Sterling family. Women will be treated as people, not tools for connection."

Gordon let out a long breath, resignation in his voice. "Since that’s what you decided, I will follow it too."

David smiled faintly, his eyes warm with pride. "I agree."

Miles turned to Silvey. "It’s your time now."

Silvey stood, her face showed confidence and her voice was clear. "Thank you, brother. I promise to take ACE forward."

Miles gave a faint smirk. "You now have a responsibility to take care of ACE Finances. Go and handle that."

Silvey nodded quickly. "Alright."

She turned and hurried out of the hall, determination burning in her steps.

Gordon looked back at Miles. "Miles... what is going to happen to Chester and Kyle?"

Miles’ smirk deepened, cold and deliberate.