CHAPTER 177: THE BUSINESS!!

Cinder Square — Sterling Enterprises

Miles leaned back in his chair, phone pressed to his ear.

"Alright, tell me. What did your grandfather say?"

Silvey exhaled softly through the line, thinking before answering.

"He said it wasn’t really an internal conflict back then. Chestor was secretly managing ACE Finances in Silverline. And according to him, their exit wasn’t business... it was political. Looks like Chestor made someone powerful very, very angry there."

Miles’ fingers stopped tapping on the desk.

"And after all these years, they suddenly make a move now?"

"I have a theory," Silvey replied. "People tried to assassinate Chestor many times. Every attempt failed. He always traveled with private security, never appeared in public if he could avoid it. In recent years, he basically lived hidden. Maybe they simply never got a clean shot until now."

Miles narrowed his eyes.

"So they knew he would show up at the family meeting... and they knew it would be moved up after the accident."

"It could be coincidence," Silvey murmured, "but I doubt it."

Miles sighed lightly, not tired — calculating.

"Thanks for looking into it."

"Be careful, Miles," Silvey said softly.

He ended the call.

Silence settled around him. He stared at the dark screen of his phone, thoughts piecing themselves together one by one.

If they knew the meeting would be preponed after the accident... then someone was feeding them information.

His jaw tightened.

The WEB. They knew everything. And they made their move right when Chestor stepped into the open.

A humorless breath escaped him, the kind that wasn’t quite a laugh.

"So Thea didn’t give me evidence to help me. They were eyeing on someone else themselves."

He leaned forward, elbows resting on the desk, eyes turning icy.

"They played both sides."

Miles’ voice dropped to a quiet, deadly calm.

"Using me to clean their board."

His fingers tapped the wood once, slow and deliberate.

"And they think they get to move first now..."

A cold glint passed through his eyes.

"Let’s see about that."

Silverline City

The morning mist still clung to the orchards when Basil Jefferson stood alone on his farm, hands wrapped around an old shotgun. The countryside was calm, but his eyes weren’t. They were sharp, alert, the way only a man who had survived too many storms could be.

His phone vibrated in his pocket.

He answered immediately. "Yes, sir."

A calm voice slid through the receiver. "How are you doing, Jefferson?"

Basil stared toward the distant hills. "Same as always. The old man is just waiting for his death."

A low chuckle came from the other side. "What nonsense. Men in Silverline don’t die early. You all live longer than the country itself."

Basil’s lips barely moved. "Life is unpredictable, sir."

A brief pause. Then the voice sharpened. "Listen carefully. The Graveyard is moving. They finally learned about that deal... the one WEB made with the old commander years ago."

A slow exhale left Basil. "Took them long enough."

"Yes. Which means be careful. They have reason to come to Silverline now. Looks like they found a trail."

"Why Silverline?" Basil asked quietly, though he already felt the answer crawling closer.

"Remember... Clown?"

Basil froze. Even the wind seemed to stop. "They found out about him?"

"They’re looking. He was reported to be somewhere around Silverline last year."

Basil clicked the safety on his shotgun without thinking. "Clown is long gone from here. All they’ll find in Silverline is good wine and quiet dirt. Nothing else."

"Be careful anyway."

"Always," Basil replied.

The man on the phone shifted topics suddenly. "How’s your son?"

A softer note crept into Basil’s expression. "Happy. Living in England with his wife and kids."

"Good to hear. Stay alive, Jefferson."

"You too, sir."

The call ended.

Silence returned to the fields. Basil stood still for a moment, breathing in the cold air, then lowered the shotgun.

Silverline might look peaceful.

But trouble was walking toward it again.

Back at Sterling Enterprises, the afternoon sun spilled across the glass walls. Miles sat at his desk reviewing reports when a gentle knock sounded.

"Come in."

June stepped inside, followed by two middle-aged men in sharp corporate suits. They carried the dignified air of men who had spent years in conference rooms and boardrooms, not battlefields.

"Boss," June said with a polite smile, "they are from the ACE headquarters in Citadel City. This is Colin, and this is Graham."

Miles stood and shook their hands. His expression was calm, but there was a quiet sharpness in his gaze.

"Nice to meet you, Mr Colin, Mr Graham."

Colin spoke first, steady and respectful. "We are pleased to finally meet you, Mr Sterling."

Graham nodded quickly behind him. "A great honor, Mr Sterling. Truly."

June added, "Boss, their office has already been prepared."

Miles leaned slightly on the edge of his desk. "Good. So I suppose you were sent here expecting I would directly control ACE from Star Harbor."

The two men exchanged glances. Silence stretched a moment. Curiosity flickered in their eyes.

Miles continued, voice steady. "Listen carefully. You will follow Silvey’s lead. She will manage ACE. You will run operations as usual. If anything goes wrong or anything feels off, report to June. Otherwise, let Silvey lead."

The words landed with weight, firm yet not forceful. Miles’ tone was not asking; it was instructing.

Colin nodded. "Understood. Miss Silvey has a strong reputation. We will fully support her."

Graham bowed lightly, sincerity in his voice. "We will do our best, Mr Sterling. Please be at ease."

Miles’ expression softened just a touch. "Good. Welcome to Star Harbor. June will take care of your arrangements. I assume you both came with family, so make sure they settle well. Housing can take time here."

June gave a confident nod. "Leave everything to me, boss."

Colin and Graham bowed again, grateful and a little relieved.

"Thank you, Mr Sterling."

Then they followed June out, the door closing softly behind them.

Miles stretched a little and headed out of his office, making his way toward the cafeteria.

Employees greeted him along the way with smiles, some with a respectful nod, others with shy excitement.

He greeted them back casually, warm but composed.

Inside the cafeteria, his eyes quickly spotted Dion and Flora sitting together, sharing a plate of salad like they always did. He walked over and pulled out a chair.

"I hope I’m not being a third wheel."

Flora burst into laughter.

Dion deadpanned, "Yes, you are."

Flora elbowed him. "No you’re not. Don’t listen to him, Miles."

Miles leaned back slightly. "What are you two having?"

Dion poked his fork into the salad. "Healthy salad. That’s all Flora can cook."

"Hey," Flora glared at him. "You were gaining weight. Also I’m eating the same thing."

Miles laughed at their bickering.

Dion groaned dramatically. "Don’t laugh. You’re lucky. Aunt Elena cooks the tastiest food in the universe."

Flora nodded in agreement. "Honestly, I miss her cooking so much."

Miles smiled. "You two are welcome home anytime. You know that."

Flora’s face softened. "Thanks, Miles. And... thank you for letting us be a part of your family."

Miles blinked, slightly surprised at the emotion. "What are you talking about? You already are family."

He took a sip of water. "So? How’s work going?"

Dion’s chest puffed up. "You won’t believe it. I’m actually a businessman now. The weapons and arms division shot up in growth after we joined."

Flora shook her head fondly. "This guy has more connections than the division ever had before."

Dion smirked. "That was part of my previous life, remember?"

Miles smiled knowingly. "I always knew you’d do great here."

Dion leaned forward with a playful grin. "Then give us a raise, boss."

Miles chuckled. "Let HR handle it. But how about this—I’ll book you a table at The Atelier for tonight. Bill’s on me."

Dion froze. "Seriously?"

Flora lit up like a sparkler. "You are the best, Miles."

Miles nodded proudly. "Yes, I am Miles." He winked.

Flora shook her head but couldn’t hide her smile.

"Alright, you two enjoy your romantic rabbit food," he teased lightly, pushing his chair back. "I just came for coffee."

He waved and headed toward the counter, the soft hum of cafeteria chatter filling the air again.

Miles stood at the counter, waiting for his coffee.

Beside him, April stepped up with a bright smile.

"Hello, April. How are you doing?"

"Everything is just perfect after the diamond launch," she said, eyes sparkling. "I’m traveling a lot for display events around the country."

Miles nodded with satisfaction. "How’s the growth?"

"Unbelievable," she said. "Even the old owner of the jewelry brand called me yesterday to congratulate."

Miles raised a brow, amused. "That old man called you? He must be crying in jealousy right now."

April chuckled. "Probably."

"I’m glad I hired you," Miles said, casually proud.

"Thank you for the opportunity," April replied warmly. "My family is happy too. I bought them a new car last week."

"They must be proud of you."

"They are. All because of you."

"No," Miles corrected her gently, "you earned it."

April smiled, touched.

At that moment the barista placed a cup down. "Here is your coffee, boss. With lots of love."

Miles nodded with a soft smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Bell. I appreciate it."

He picked up the coffee and walked out of the cafeteria. The warm hum of work surrounded him — staff speaking politely, some bowing, some smiling with quiet admiration.

He felt it again — the weight and peace of a world he built, held together by trust and loyalty.

Evening sunlight poured through the glass walls.

His parents were likely at the restaurant, the twins probably home playing and making the house loud. A small smile tugged at his lips.

Then his phone vibrated.

He answered casually. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end was trembling, tiny, and soaked in tears.

"Big broo..." Hope’s voice cracked. "Big broo, I’m sorry..."

Miles straightened instantly. "Hope? What happened?"

"We... we had a fight. Asher walked out... I can’t find him..." she sobbed. "I’m sorry... big broo I didn’t mean it..."

"Don’t be scared," Miles said softly, already walking faster. "I’m coming right now."

"Okay..." her little voice shook.

"Give the phone to someone nearby."

Hope sniffled and handed the phone off.

A staff member spoke next. "Sir."

"Did he go outside the gate?" Miles asked, voice clipped and sharp now.

"No sir. He’s somewhere

inside, hiding. Little Miss is very scared. We are searching."

"Good. Stay with Hope. I’m on my way."

Miles hung up and his footsteps turned into a silent sprint.