CHAPTER 69: CEDRIC KNOLL !!!

The morning sun bathed the city in a golden hue, its light reflecting off the glass and steel of a familiar structure—yet now, with a new name that shimmered like a legacy reclaimed.

Miles drove through the quiet streets, his dark vehicle gliding like a shadow over the pavement. The skyline loomed ahead, but one building in particular drew his gaze—a towering structure of modern elegance and corporate dominance. Once known as Stone Enterprises, it now bore a gleaming new identity, forged not in courtrooms or negotiations, but in strategy, blood, and patience.

At the very top of the tower, the old stone logo had been removed—scraped from memory—and in its place, bold silver letters proudly read: STERLING ENTERPRISES

The name was more than just a brand; it was history reclaiming its throne.

The skyscraper stood like a silent giant—mirrored glass stretching up over thirty floors, its sleek obsidian surface interrupted only by cascading vertical lights that glowed faintly even during the day. The architecture was a perfect blend of power and finesse, an echo of Edward Sterling’s original design now brought to life once more under the son who bore his legacy.

As Miles pulled up in front, the glass doors slid open for him. The lobby inside was pristine and vast, flooded with natural light. A chandelier hung like a frozen cascade above the marble flooring, where subtle Sterling emblems were engraved into the white and grey stone. On either side of the lobby, employees bustled—some interns, some executives—each navigating their routines, unaware that the man who had resurrected this empire had just walked in.

Miles’s footsteps echoed softly as he approached the front reception desk, his tailored black coat swaying slightly with each stride. His presence, calm but commanding, drew a few glances, but no one dared stop him—until a young voice did.

"Excuse me, sir?" the receptionist called out, her tone polite but firm.

Miles stopped and turned slowly to face her.

She looked barely out of college—probably in her early twenties. Her short, neatly trimmed hair framed a soft face with big, curious eyes behind thin glasses. A crisp white shirt and blazer adorned her frame, but the nervous fidgeting of her fingers over the keyboard gave away her inexperience.

"Can I know your purpose of visit here, sir?" she asked. "Which floor are you headed to?"

Miles stepped closer to the desk, his tone casual, but his presence enough to make her hands pause mid-type."To the Chairman’s office," he replied with a faint smile.

The girl blinked, visibly confused. "Ah—sir, Chairman isn’t in the building yet... Do you have an appointment?"

Miles tilted his head, amused.

Just as he was about to answer, a voice cut in from behind—sharp but playful.

"Boss, if you’re coming here, you could at least have told me!"

Miles turned to see a familiar face.

June—flawless as always—strode towards them, tablet in hand and her usual professional urgency in her step. Her fitted navy-blue suit spoke of authority, and the way others instinctively cleared a path for her confirmed her status. She was the operations head now, overseeing everything in the building ever since the acquisition.

The receptionist’s eyes widened in recognition. Everyone knew June. The woman who made things happen, who scheduled meetings, signed off transitions, and reported only to one person—the man now standing in front of her.

Suddenly, the young receptionist stood up from her chair, flustered.

"G-Good morning, Chairman!" she stammered, her cheeks flushing red as her eyes flickered between Miles and June.

Miles gave a warm smile and turned back to her.

"No harm done," he said softly. "You were just doing your job."

"I—I sincerely apologize, sir. I didn’t know..."

"It’s okay," Miles repeated, his tone easygoing but carrying an undertone of confidence that made her feel both relieved and embarrassed.

June narrowed her eyes slightly. "What happened here?"

"Nothing," Miles replied. "Just a little misunderstanding."

June gave a slight nod and smiled knowingly. "That tends to happen when the boss keeps sneaking into his own empire like a ghost."

Miles chuckled under his breath. "Old habits."

Together, the two stepped into the elevator. The glass-paneled lift gave them a view of the entire lobby as it began its ascent. June tapped the screen on her tablet, already briefing him on updates, but for a moment, Miles just stared ahead—watching his reflection in the elevator walls, his father’s name now his to carry, his empire slowly rebuilding itself.

He had returned—not just to claim what was his, but to change the rules of the game.

And the world had no idea what was coming.

The door opened with a soft mechanical hiss as June stepped aside and let Miles enter.

"This is your cabin, Chairman," she said gently, letting him walk in first.

The Chairman’s cabin was everything one might expect from the nerve center of a corporate empire—spacious, elevated, dignified. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows formed the entire back wall, revealing a commanding view of the city skyline. The morning sun filtered through, casting golden streaks across the polished wooden floor. The ceiling was high, fitted with recessed lighting that gave the room a warm, ambient glow.

A sleek executive desk made of deep mahogany sat at the heart of the room, accompanied by a minimalist leather chair—custom built, ergonomic, jet-black. Two visitor chairs, equally refined, were placed neatly on the other side. A small round table at the corner held a crystal decanter set, and behind the desk stood a tall bookshelf with ledgers, binders, and a few handpicked mementos—trophies, awards, and framed newspaper headlines from decades ago.

But the centerpiece—what truly caught Miles’s eye—was a single photo frame sitting modestly on the table.

He stepped closer, and the world outside the glass windows faded.

It was an old photograph... surprisingly well-preserved. The colors hadn’t dulled, as though time had spared it out of respect.

In it, a young Edward Sterling stood confidently, eyes full of fire, wearing a suit that looked far too tight across the chest from the sheer pride he radiated. Next to him was a radiant, youthful Elena—smiling softly, her hair cascading down like sunlight—leaning in close to Edward with her arm wrapped around his. And in between them... a small boy, one or two years old, laughing freely as both his parents held his hands. Little Miles.

It wasn’t posed—it felt real. Like someone had captured them mid-moment, a rare flicker of unfiltered happiness. Edward’s hand rested on young Miles’s shoulder with instinctive protectiveness, while Elena’s eyes sparkled with warmth.

Miles stared at it for a long moment.

"This picture," he said quietly, lifting the frame in his hands, "Where did you get it?"

June, who had been standing respectfully near the door, replied with a smile, "Boss, we found it in the company’s archives. The archives manager had kept it securely in a sealed folder. He’s been here since your grandfather’s time. Very loyal man—he remembered everything."

Miles was silent, running a thumb lightly across the edge of the photo.

June continued, "He’s very old now. His son works in product development, in the IT division."

Miles nodded, his voice low but sincere, "That’s... very kind of him. He kept this for seventeen years."

He placed the photo back on the desk, a little more prominently now.

"Give him a proper retirement," Miles said. "And a reward. Let him rest now. He’s done enough."

June smiled again, noting it down mentally. "Of course, boss."

Miles took a deep breath, walking to the chair behind the desk. He ran his fingers along its armrest before slowly sitting down.

This office—this was where his father had once sat. Where Edward Sterling had built his dreams and fought his battles. And now, after seventeen long years filled with blood, loss, war, and the shadows of forgotten truths—Miles had returned to that same chair. Not as a boy. But as the man his father never got to see him become.

There was a quiet weight in the air—not heavy, but meaningful. This wasn’t just an office.

It was legacy.

Miles closed his eyes for a second and whispered inwardly.

"I’m back, Dad."

The soft hum of the city buzzed far below, silenced within the insulated luxury of the Sterling Enterprises’ top floor. June’s phone buzzed sharply, shattering the tranquility. She glanced at it, frowned, and answered immediately.

"June here. Yes? Who—what?!"Her voice was unsure, a trace of tension in her tone.

Miles turned to look at her. Something about this moment, her expression, her hesitation—it all felt hauntingly familiar. A strange sensation, like the pages of time curling back, gripped his chest. Déjà vu. Like few days ago.

June ended the call and looked up at him, uneasily.

"Boss... there’s a man downstairs," she said slowly. "Wrapped in rags. He looks like a beggar, but... he says he knew your father. And wants to talk about something important. He specifically asked for you."

Miles’s eyes widened. His heartbeat quickened, not with fear—but curiosity. And a shadow of something unspoken.

"...Call him up," he said firmly, yet calmly.

"Yes, boss," June replied, wasting no time. Her fingers danced over the screen of her phone, murmuring a few instructions to the security below.

A few minutes later, the soft ’ding’ of the elevator echoed outside the chairman’s cabin. The wide doors slid open, and in stepped a man who looked completely out of place amidst the polished granite floors and shimmering golden lights of the corporate giant’s headquarters.

He walked with a slight limp, his frame hunched under the weight of years and hardship. His clothes were worn-out, layers of rags in earth tones barely hanging together. A frayed scarf was wrapped around his neck, his beard thick with grey and dust. His skin was darkened by the sun, his eyes half-hidden beneath the shadow of an old wool cap.

Behind him, two guards in black suits trailed closely, alert and watchful, their gazes trained sharply on the man’s every move.

Miles stood beside his desk, silent and composed. His fingers gently brushed the photo of his family one last time, then slowly turned to face the man. Their eyes met.

The man’s dry lips cracked into a small smile. "You’re Miles... aren’t you?"

Miles stepped forward slightly, studying the man. He looked like he was in his late fifties, maybe older. His face was unfamiliar—no trace of family friend or business associate. But there was something in his voice. A weight behind his words. A whisper from the past.

"I am," Miles replied calmly. "And you are...?"

He glanced at the guards, nodding once.

Understanding the unspoken command, both guards immediately turned and left, bowing respectfully before stepping out and closing the door behind them.

Now, it was just the two of them.

The man stepped further into the room. He looked around for a moment—not with awe or surprise, but with memory. As if he’d been here before.

"My name," the man said slowly, removing his cap, "is Cedric Knoll."

He took a breath.

"I was your family’s personal lawyer. Seventeen years ago."

The room fell still. Time seemed to freeze. Even the air inside the cabin felt different—as if a ghost had walked in alongside Cedric. The name stirred something deep in Miles’s mind. A crack in the veil of history. A door opening to secrets long buried.