The day at Seaside School had been long, full of laughter, small performances, and proud glances from parents sitting in the back rows. Hope and Asher were stars in their own little world, standing tall when they introduced their big brother to their friends, their eyes glowing with pride. By the ti the bell rang and the school day ended, their energy hadn’t faded at all—it only grew brighter.
Afternoon
The car purred quietly along the coastal road, sunlight spilling across the windows. The twins sat in the backseat, talking over each other in bursts of excitent.
Asher leaned forward between the seats, his face glowing. "Today was the best day at school!"
Hope, her big eyes wide and sparkling, nodded eagerly. "Yes, big bro, the best!"
Miles glanced at them in the rearview mirror, his smile warm, his voice steady with affection. "You both were great today. I’m proud of you—my little soldiers."
Their laughter filled the car like a lody.
Miles tapped the steering wheel thoughtfully, then added with a grin, "Now, who wants so ice-cream?"
"!" the twins shouted together in perfect unison, almost bouncing in their seats.
But then Hope tilted her head, thoughtful. "But... can we take the ice-cream ho? I want to have it with Mom and Dad."
Asher nodded fiercely. "Yes, let’s eat together!"
Miles’s chest ward at their innocence. He smiled, his voice soft yet firm. "Alright... let’s get so. We’ll bring it ho."
Not long after, the car rolled smoothly into the driveway of the Pearl Villa. The gates closed behind them, and the warm afternoon air carried the scent of the garden.
The mont the doors opened, the twins rushed inside, voices carrying through the halls.
"Mom! We brought ice-cream!" Hope shouted, holding the bag high like a trophy.
Elena was in the living room, resting on the sofa. She looked up at her children, her tiredness washed away instantly by their joy. Her eyes softened, a smile tugging at her lips.
From the hallway, Daniel erged from his room, adjusting his sleeves. He paused, watching the scene with quiet warmth.
The house filled with laughter and chatter as the twins began reciting every detail of their school day—their friends, the gas, the lessons. Their words tumbled over one another, sotis incomplete, but their happiness made every sentence shine.
The bag of ice-cream was opened, spoons clinked, and soon the living room glowed with sothing no amount of wealth could ever buy—a family’s warmth, joy, and love shared over sothing as simple as ice-cream.
The late afternoon sun painted long shadows across the highway as Miles pulled into a quiet gas station. He stepped out, calm and composed as ever, and began refueling his sleek black car.
The faint sound of laughter broke the silence as a rugged SUV pulled in. A group of rough-looking n climbed out. While one of them began filling their tank, another bald man, veins bulging across his neck, struck a match and lit a cigarette.
The guard at the station rushed forward, his hands waving frantically. "Sir, please don’t smoke here! This is a gas station—it’s dangerous!"
The bald man exhaled smoke in the guard’s face, eyes narrowing with arrogance. "Huh? So what? You gonna stop ?"
The others laughed, stepping out of the SUV, surrounding the poor guard.
"Listen, old man," the bald one sneered. "Don’t teach us rules. Why do you even bother? What if we smoke right here? What will you do?"
One of his buddies struck a lighter and joined him, another cigarette flickering to life.
Miles, leaning casually against his car with the nozzle in hand, looked at them, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
A stray dog wandered across the road, sniffing around. Miles’s calm voice carried over. "Even a stray animal knows not to smoke at a gas station."
The group froze for a second, then turned toward him.
The bald man laughed mockingly. "Ohh, co on, kid. Watch your words. You don’t wanna ss with us."
Miles’s eyes sharpened, his smile unchanged. "Is that a threat? Then go ahead—smoke now."
In one smooth motion, Miles lifted the nozzle and flicked the trigger, splashing a small stream of petrol onto the bald man’s shirt. The pungent sll of gasoline filled the air.
The man stiffened, cigarette trembling between his fingers. In a sudden reflex, he flung it far away, his face twisting with panic.
Miles tilted his head, voice ice cold. "Why stop? Smoke now."
The bald man’s veins pulsed with rage, his fists clenched tight. "You..."
Another man from the group stepped forward, ready to lunge, but Miles’s gaze cut through them like steel. His tone dropped, low and dangerous. "Trust —you don’t want to ss with ."
As if on cue, the shrill wail of a police siren echoed from the road nearby. The flashing lights reflected across the gas station’s glass panels.
The bald man flinched, his bravado slipping. "It’s the cops—let’s get out of here!"
They scrambled back into the SUV, tires screeching as they sped away. But not before the bald man rolled down his window, pointing a trembling finger at Miles. "We’ll see you later, kid!"
Miles didn’t move, didn’t blink. His calm voice carried over the revving engine. "I’ll wait."
The SUV roared into the distance.
The guard exhaled heavily, wiping sweat from his brow. "That was dangerous... you shouldn’t have provoked them."
Miles placed the nozzle back in its stand and turned toward the guard, his expression softening. "My apologies. But sotis you need to show a fire to put one out."
The guard managed a small, grateful smile. "Thanks for the help, young man."
Miles nodded, paid for the gas, and slipped back into his car. With one hand on the wheel, his eyes hardened again. He pressed the accelerator, the car gliding back onto the road.
Miles reached his office, the city still humming outside with its evening rush.
June spotted him walking in through the glass doors, her tablet in hand. "Boss, you are here. I thought you were taking a full day off."
Miles adjusted his sleeves and gave a small smile. "It’s all taken care of. Tell , what’s new."
June followed him as they walked toward his cabin. "Boss, we successfully have mobile networks in every part of the world. Air Telecom is a huge success for us."
Miles nodded approvingly. "That’s great."
June tilted her head slightly. "But boss, why did you specifically choose that industry?"
Miles pushed open the cabin door, his voice calm yet sharp. "Tell , what is the biggest asset if you want to analyze the market for business?"
June thought for a mont. "A good market research team?"
Miles chuckled, leaning against his desk. "And what is the biggest asset for the research team?"
June’s eyes widened slightly as realization dawned. "You an data?"
Miles smirked. "Exactly. Data is what we need—two targets with one bullet."
June smiled faintly. "Boss, that’s a great idea indeed."
They settled into the cabin, June scrolling through her tablet. "Boss, the recruitnt for the security company is almost done. You might want to look at the new joinees."
Miles leaned back in his chair. "I will visit the base tomorrow."
June nodded. "I will arrange things then."
She hesitated, then continued. "Boss, there are so issues in the renovation of the restaurant."
Miles looked up, his tone sharpening. "I’m listening."
June explained carefully. "We’ve received complaints that weird things are happening there. Sudden disappearance of materials, a few workers didn’t show up. So even say there are ghosts. If this keeps happening, the tiline will not be t."
Miles’s expression darkened. He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, thinking. "Looks like soone is trying to ss with the business."
June nodded quietly.
"Send soone to investigate the matter," Miles ordered firmly.
"Okay, boss." June bowed lightly and stepped aside as a knock ca at the door.
The door opened, and Dion walked in with his usual grin. "What’s up, brother, where were you today?"
June bowed politely to Dion before excusing herself and leaving the room.
Miles smirked. "I was at school with my siblings for a parent’s event."
Dion’s eyes widened with mock jealousy. "School with two little cute siblings? Sounds fun, I’m jealous."
Miles chuckled. "Haha, anyways, mom was asking about you and Flora. You doing good?"
Dion nodded with genuine happiness. "We are doing better than any day in the past, thanks to you. The weapon and arms division is smooth."
Miles leaned forward. "I knew you would love it."
Dion smiled warmly. "Well, I am here to tell you sothing."
Miles raised a brow. "Don’t tell ?"
Dion laughed. "Yes. We have decided a wedding date."
Miles’s face lit up. "That’s happy news. Congratulations."
"Thanks, brother," Dion said sincerely. " and Flora will co to your ho for a formal invitation tomorrow."
"Of course," Miles replied with a smile. "Everyone at ho will be happy."
Evening settled over Cinder Square, the city lights glittering through the wide glass windows of Miles’s office. He sat at his desk, papers spread across the polished surface, his pen moving with steady rhythm as he signed docunt after docunt.
His phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then answered. "Yes, Monica?"
Her voice ca firm, carrying the weight of news. "Boss, there is movent in the old master’s base. Looks like they are leaving slowly."
Miles leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "So they are packing up?"
"Seems like it," Monica confird.
Miles’s eyes narrowed, his mind already calculating the next step. "Do you have the contact number of the Navy Admiral?"
"Yes, boss," Monica replied quickly. "I sent it to you just now."
Miles nodded to himself. "Thanks. Any updates on Silvey?"
There was a pause before Monica spoke again. "She reached Citadel City in the morning. Looks like she already t a private investigator."
Miles let out a small chuckle. "So the fuel caught fire. Keep an eye on her. It might also be dangerous for her."
Monica raised her tone slightly, teasing but also curious. "What—you care about your cousin now?"
Miles’s smile faded into a colder expression. "Not really. But she seems innocent and unaware. I don’t want her to get hurt in this ss."
Monica softened. "Okay, boss. I will take care."
The call ended.
Miles placed his phone on the table, tapping the pen against the papers. His eyes lingered on the night sky outside. Packing up, huh?
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