"I think I’ve found a ho," Miles said softly, his eyes still lingering on the elegant ceiling lights above.
Noelle’s eyes lit up. "That’s wonderful to hear, Mr. Sterling. Shall we talk about paynts now? How much can you pay ?"
Miles raised an eyebrow, exchanging a quick glance with June. "You an... we get to decide the price?"
Noelle blinked, then quickly shook her head with an apologetic smile. "Oh no, I ant the down paynt. The final amount is fixed, of course."
Miles let out a short laugh at the misunderstanding, his voice warm. "Ah—of course. That makes more sense." He paused, then added calmly, "Miss Noelle, we’ll be paying the full amount. Upfront."
Noelle froze for a beat, her smile faltering ever so slightly as her mind struggled to process what she’d just heard. Paying in full? Upfront? Even as chairman of Sterling Enterprises, she hadn’t expected that kind of liquid cash. Her expression briefly flickered, stunned and disoriented.
June, standing beside Miles, noticed imdiately. Noelle looked as though she’d montarily left the Earth.
"Miss Noelle," June said gently, "how about we get started on the paperwork?"
That snapped her back to the present. She cleared her throat, straightened up, and nodded quickly. "Yes—yes, of course. How about I co to your office tomorrow? I’ll bring the property’s legal representative and the necessary docunts."
"That’s fine with ," Miles replied with a courteous nod. "Tomorrow it is. Thank you, Miss Noelle, for the wonderful tour."
"The pleasure is mine, sir," she said, regaining her composure. Her smile now carried a hint of reverence. "This villa already feels like it belongs to you anyway."
With that, they all stepped out of the villa. Noelle returned to her car, offering a polite wave before driving off.
Back in Miles’s vehicle, the engine purred to life as they settled in.
June turned toward him with a smile. "The property is amazing. Your family’s going to love it."
Miles’s expression softened at the thought. "Yeah," he said, picturing their faces. "Especially Hope and Asher... they’ll love the place."
The car glided smoothly out of the estate, heading back toward the city.
Miles was at the wheel, the silence in the car peaceful after their long day. The sun was beginning to lower, casting a golden hue across the city. June sat beside him, flipping through her tablet, perhaps reviewing docunts or schedules for the next day. Suddenly, Miles’s eyes caught sothing out the window — the signage of a familiar hospital.
Without a word, he turned the indicator and pulled the car over to the curb.
June looked up, puzzled. "Boss? What happened?"
Miles stared at the hospital for a mont before replying, his voice softer than usual. "Just seeing soone."
June blinked, not pushing him further, but her curiosity stirred. She followed silently as Miles stepped out of the car and walked toward a small flower shop beside the hospital gate.
Inside, the scent of fresh blooms filled the air. He picked out a simple yet elegant bouquet of pink lilies and white daisies — the kind that said "get well soon" without sounding too formal. As he paid, June realized who he might be visiting.
They entered the hospital and moved through the pristine, quiet corridors. Nurses and doctors passed them, so giving curious glances at the tall, composed man in the sharp black shirt and grey coat, and the elegant woman walking beside him. They made their way straight to the VIP ward.
Miles stopped at a particular room and knocked gently.
Inside, the soft murmur of a heart monitor accompanied the quiet rustle of April adjusting her mother’s blanket. She turned as the door opened.
"Miles?" April’s expression lit up with a mix of surprise and warmth.
"Hello, aunty," Miles said, stepping in with a small smile. "How are you doing today?"
April’s mother looked at him "Oh my... Miles Sterling, visiting an old woman like ? I must be special."
April chuckled, "Seriously, Mom?"
Miles smirked and walked in further, placing the bouquet carefully on the side table beside her bed. "Old woman, you say? You look more like April’s elder sister."
April’s mother laughed, a soft, warm laugh that brightened the room. "You flatter , Miles."
"It’s only flattery if it isn’t true," he replied smoothly.
June, who had stayed silent at the door, now understood — this was that April. The one Monica had ntioned.
April caught June’s glance and smiled politely.
Miles turned to April. "What did the doctor say?"
April stood and gently placed a hand on her mother’s shoulder. "He says her condition is treatable. With rest and therapy, full recovery is possible."
Miles exhaled in relief. "That’s great news."
"Thank you, Miles," April said, her voice thick with emotion. "For everything. The help, the support... I owe you a huge favor."
Miles shook his head. "No debts between us. Just take care of your mom."
April’s mother looked between them with a gentle smile. "You’ve turned out to be a fine man, Miles."
For a mont, Miles was quiet. The ntion of his mother always stirred sothing deep inside — sothing heavy and healing at the sa ti.
"I’m just trying to do right ," he finally said.
The room was quiet for a beat, filled only by the soft hum of machines and the sll of fresh flowers. Then April spoke again, cheerful but sincere, "She’ll be so happy you ca."
Miles nodded and glanced at the ti. "We’ll let you rest now. Just wanted to stop by."
As they turned to leave, April called out, "Miles—thank you again."
He gave a small wave without turning back. "See you soon, April."
June followed him, her expression thoughtful.
Once outside, they got back into the car. The air inside felt different now — quieter, more personal.
June looked over. "That was kind of you."
"They are good people" said Miles
The dim lighting in the room was softened only by the golden hue of the evening sun seeping through the blinds, casting long streaks across the floor. Miles sat at his sleek black desk, deep in thought, elbows resting on the polished surface, fingers interlaced. The silence was interrupted by the sharp vibration of his phone.
He answered imdiately.
"Yes, Monica?" Miles’s voice was low, calm, but curious.
"Boss," ca Monica’s urgent but composed voice. "We have eyes on the man who’s been depositing cash into that flagged account—the ACE Bank, Brightvale City Branch. I’m sending you the live feed now. You’re going to want to see this."
Miles turned to the massive LED screen on his office wall. The screen blinked on with a soft hum, and the feed began to play—live surveillance footage from inside the bank.
A man stood at the counter, speaking to a teller with a calm, unbothered deanor. A thick envelope—undoubtedly stuffed with cash—rested in his hand.
Miles’s gaze sharpened.
Then he saw it—the faint but familiar scar tracing the man’s forehead like a haunting reminder from the past.
He leaned forward. His eyes narrowed.
"Is it really him?" Miles murmured.
"Yes, Boss," Monica confird. "It’s him. Jehan Mullins."
Miles’s jaw tightened slightly. The na felt like iron in his mouth.
Jehan Mullins. One of the country’s most elusive drug traffickers. A na of the underworld. The man who had once slipped away because Dion—Miles’s old friend—had shielded him from justice.
Not this ti.
"He’s still got the sa scar. Didn’t even bother covering it." Miles chuckled coldly. "Last ti he ran because Dion was watching his back. But this ti... this ti, he won’t even see coming."
His voice turned cold, almost chanical—like a predator whispering before the strike.
"Let him go ho, Monica. Let him breathe for a few more days. Let him think he’s safe.""Then?" Monica asked, already knowing the answer."Then I’ll take that peace from him forever."
The screen turned black with a soft click as Monica ended the call. Miles sat still for a mont, his eyes reflecting the void on the screen—as if he was staring into the past.
Then he picked up the phone again and dialed a number. A brief ring, then an automated voice responded.
"You’ve reached the Graveyard Operatives. Identify yourself."
Miles paused, then simply said:
"Ghost."
A second passed—silence, then:
"Hello, Ghost. What’s up?" A familiar voice greeted him on the other end. It carried the casual confidence of a brother-in-arms, soone who had once fought beside him in shadows and warzones.
"All good, comrade," Miles said coolly. "I’ve got sothing the Graveyard might want."
"I’m all ears."
Miles leaned back in his chair, his voice edged with purpose.
"Do you rember Jehan?"
A sharp exhale ca from the other end.
"Graveyard never forgets. We believe he’s the key to finding Dion."
Miles gave a slight smirk.
"Then you’ll be happy to know... I know where he’s hiding."
A beat of silence followed. Then the voice responded with steel under the words:
"That ans we’re one step closer to Dion."
"Tell Commander the news," Miles instructed. "I’ll call you back in a few days... with the exact location."
"Understood, Ghost. We’ll be ready."
"Take care."
The call ended.
Miles stared at the black screen in front of him. The faint echo of the na "Dion" lingered in the room like a phantom.
And sowhere deep inside him, the Ghost was already moving.
Miles leaned back in his chair, the room lit only by the soft ambient glow of the large screen now gone black. The air was heavy with the weight of what was to co. He reached for his button on his table and after a brief pause, the door creaked open.
June stepped in, composed as always.
"Yes, Boss?" she asked, her tone professional but attentive.
Miles looked at her for a second, his eyes calm but sharp. "Within the next few days, I’m going to Brightvale City."
There was a small pause as June absorbed the information. Her expression didn’t change, but the shift in her posture showed she understood the importance behind that destination. Brightvale wasn’t on any ordinary schedule.
"I’ll update the calendar and start working on the arrangents," she said with a nod. "Would you prefer to keep it low-profile or official itinerary?"
"Low," Miles replied. "Silent entry, no noise."
June tapped a few notes into her tablet. "I’ll coordinate with our logistics wing. Private jet will be on standby, and I’ll inform Monica. Should I include escort?"
Miles shook his head slightly. "No. Just "
June gave a small, understanding smile. "Noted, Boss. I’ll make sure it’s all in place. Brightvale won’t even feel the breeze before the thunder hits."
Miles let out a soft breath, his gaze shifting toward the city lights beyond the glass wall of his office.
June turned to leave, her heels clicking lightly against the polished floor.
Then, just as the door shut behind June, he whispered under his breath:
"Ti to finish what was left undone."
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