Chapter 203: Holy Tree!!!

Elena looked at Miles, her eyes narrowing slightly in playful surprise.

“You know her?”

Miles lifted his shoulders lightly. “We just met this morning.”

Olivia smiled, a little hesitant, her voice soft. “Hello, Miles. Nice to see you again.”

“Hello,” Miles replied.

Olivia brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly shy. “I was just walking by and a maple leaf fell on my head. I saw the whole maple forest here and got excited. I mean, I have been to Canada before…” She laughed quietly. “Then Mrs. Keller saw me staring at the forest and invited me in.”

Elena waved her hand dismissively, smiling warmly. “Come on dear, you don’t have to give him any explanation.”

Miles chuckled. “Relax. How was your day at the college?”

Daniel raised his brows. “You go to college?”

Olivia laughed softly. “I am a faculty.”

Daniel blinked. “Oh. I thought you were a student.”

Olivia smiled. “That is not your fault, Mr. Keller. Even the students get confused.”

Daniel nodded approvingly. “That is an accomplishment.”

Miles hesitated for a second, then finally asked what had been on his mind. “You live by yourself, Olivia?”

“Me and Noodle,” she replied.

Miles smiled faintly. “Right. Noodle is there as well.”

Hope suddenly looked up from behind. “Who is Noodle, big bro?”

Olivia’s face brightened. “Noodle is my cat. Do you want to meet her?”

Hope’s eyes sparkled. “Yes.”

“You can bring her next time you come,” Elena said gently.

She clapped her hands once. “Now it is time we eat. Help me in the kitchen, Daniel. Come with me.”

“Alright dear,” Daniel replied, already moving.

He turned back once. “You two talk.”

Hope glanced at Asher. “Big bro, I have to finish my homework or I will lose to Asher.”

She ran off, leaving the living room quieter.

Miles took a seat across from Olivia.

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Olivia’s cheeks were slightly red, her fingers fidgeting in her lap.

“Are you uncomfortable?” Miles asked gently.

She shook her head quickly. “No. No, I am fine. It is just… everything happened so suddenly. Mrs. Keller even asked me to stay for dinner. I did not expect any of it.”

“Your family is in Citadel?” Miles asked.

“I only have my grandma,” Olivia said softly. “She raised me. My mom and dad…” She paused. “They were in a plane crash in Mt. West.”

Miles stiffened slightly. He remembered that incident. He lowered his voice. “I am sorry. I did not mean to make you remember it.”

“It is fine,” Olivia said calmly. “It has been two decades now. I am happy with my life. Grandma got me a house here. I even have a job. I just want to live a normal life now.” She smiled faintly. “And I like this place. The sound of the ocean. The wind.”

“It is a good place,” Miles said. “I feel the same.”

“You grew up here,” Olivia said. “Maybe you find it boring.”

Miles shook his head. “I did not. I came here a few months ago.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

“Where did you live before, Mr. Miles Keller?” she asked teasingly.

Miles laughed softly. “It is Sterling. Miles Sterling.”

She tilted her head, confused.

“My mom remarried,” Miles explained.

“Oh,” Olivia said slowly. “Now I get it. So you lived with your dad till now?”

“I wish I could,” Miles replied quietly. “He passed away early.”

“I am sorry,” Olivia said sincerely.

“Do not worry about it,” Miles replied, and she did not push further.

She hesitated, then asked, “So you said Sterling. Are you related to Sterling Enterprises?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I have friends working there,” Olivia said. “They are from Citadel too.”

“We have employees around the world,” Miles said lightly. “We have a good talent acquisition team.”

She let out a slow breath. “So you own it.”

“What do you think?” he asked, amused.

“Of course you do,” she said, smiling. “You can afford this villa. I mean, who else can own a mini maple forest beside their house?”

Miles smiled. “Have you toured the forest?”

“I did,” Olivia said warmly. “That is where Mrs. Keller was when she invited me in. She is very sweet.”

“Thank you,” Miles said softly.

Elena’s voice floated in from the dining area. “Have you finished your homework? We need the dining table.”

“It is finished,” Hope called.

“Mine too,” Asher added proudly.

The staff began arranging the dinner table, the house filling with warmth, quiet laughter, and the feeling of something gentle beginning to take shape.

….

Dinner began softly, without rush, the table filled with warmth more than food. Olivia tasted each dish carefully, her eyes lighting up with every bite.

When the plates were cleared, she folded her hands politely.

“It was very delicious Mrs Keller. Thank you for inviting me.”

Daniel smiled, pleased.

“You should come here often. Believe me, we love hosting guests at our home.”

Elena nodded warmly.

“Yes. You should come here often.”

Hope leaned forward eagerly.

“Can you bring Noodle with you next time.”

Olivia laughed gently.

“Of course.”

Miles stood.

“Let us go. I will walk you to your house.”

“Thanks,” Olivia said.

They stepped outside together, the cool night air brushing against them as the villa doors closed behind.

Inside, Daniel glanced at Elena.

“What do you think?”

Elena smiled knowingly.

“They look good together.”

Daniel raised a brow, amused.

“Take it easy dear. Do not force things.”

Elena nodded softly.

“Yes. I know.”

Outside, the path was quiet, lined with soft garden lights. Miles kept his hands in his pockets, walking at an easy pace beside her.

“It was so warm,” Olivia said after a moment. “You are really lucky to have a family like this.”

Miles looked ahead, his voice calm.

“I think the same every single day.”

Olivia smiled faintly.

“I never thought rich people lived this happily though.”

He glanced at her.

“What did you imagine?”

She hesitated, then spoke honestly.

“My grandma’s family is rich. They have strict family rules. Everyone is busy chasing profits. They do not eat together. Even when they are at home, they are not really there. It feels empty.”

“Your grandma’s family?” Miles asked.

“I did not tell you,” Olivia said. “She is actually my maternal grandma.”

“I get it,” Miles replied. “Well, it depends. You can always prioritize things. For some people, business comes first because they think if they fail, their family will not survive. But on the other side, families with very little money are also happy. In the end, it is about what you choose to value.”

Olivia nodded slowly.

“You are right. Grandma is always happy when she is with me. My uncle helps me a lot too, but I never felt something like what I felt today at your home.”

They reached her house, the lights inside glowing softly.

“We are here,” Olivia said.

“Good night then,” Miles replied. “Come again.”

She smiled warmly.

“Thank you. Also, can you give me your number. You know, we are neighbors. I might need to trouble you for something.”

“Of course,” Miles said.

They exchanged contact numbers, the moment simple and unforced.

Olivia stepped back, gave a small wave, and walked inside. Miles watched until the door closed, then turned and walked back toward his villa, the quiet night carrying a sense of something gentle beginning to take root.

….

Silverline City rested under a quiet sky, but inside Basil Jefferson’s house, the air was heavy.

Basil held the phone tightly, his knuckles pale.

“When?”

Elias’s voice came calm from the other end, almost amused.

“Ten days. That is what he said. Prepare the equipment. Bring people who can survive in the wild and protect themselves from whatever the forest throws at them.”

Basil closed his eyes for a moment.

“Ten days is too early.”

“It is,” Elias replied smoothly. “But it does not matter. I only want the treasure, and ten days is enough to prepare. How about this. We form a duo. You bring the food and survival supplies. I bring the equipment.”

Basil exhaled slowly.

“That would be perfect. See you in ten days.”

The call ended.

Adam, who had been standing near the doorway, finally spoke.

“Are you sure you will go?”

Basil lowered the phone and looked at his son.

“I have to, son. I cannot run away anymore.”

Adam hesitated.

“Can I come with you?”

Basil shook his head firmly.

“You have to stay here and take care of your family. You will be safe here. Do not worry.”

Adam nodded, though unease lingered in his eyes.

Flashback Sylven Forest

The forest breathed quietly, ancient and watchful.

Ghost was almost healed now. His wounds no longer burned the way they once had, though faint pain still reminded him he was not fully recovered. He stood at the base of the tribe’s watch tower and began to climb.

At the top, a man greeted him with a respectful nod. Ghost returned it and stepped closer to the edge.

All he could see was forest. Endless, deep, dark forest stretching beyond the horizon. The kind of green that felt alive, as if it was watching him breathe.

His gaze shifted to a massive silhouette in the distance.

“That tree,” Ghost said quietly. “It is so big.”

The man followed his gaze.

“Prince, that is our holy tree. It stands at the center of the ancient ruins. Our ancestors planted it. We visit it every year during the festival.”

Ghost studied it carefully. The trunk was enormous, wider than any structure he had ever seen. It felt older than history itself.

“It must carry a lot of weight,” Ghost murmured.

The man nodded slowly.

“I heard in stories that the tree is hollow in the middle. But it is impossible to climb without external methods. And it is prohibited to harm the tree. It is sacred in our tradition.”

Ghost’s interest deepened, though he kept his expression neutral.

“How can I leave this place?” he asked.

The man turned to him, his voice gentle but firm.

“There are things you should know and see before you leave, Prince.”

Ghost frowned slightly.

“The Chief will tell you soon,” the man continued. “Until then, if you need anything, tell us. We will bring it for you.”

Ghost nodded, but his thoughts were far from calm.

These people were strong. Organized. Disciplined. And they kept calling him Prince.

He was not a prince. He was a boy from the Graveyard, trained to survive, to fight, to disappear. He only wanted to return to the base, to his commander, to the life he understood.

Yet revealing the truth now felt dangerous.

The forest wind whispered through the leaves, and Ghost stood there silently, staring at the holy tree in the distance, unaware that centuries of fate were already tightening around him.

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