Chapter 233: They never learn !!!

The next morning arrived quietly.

Sunday.

Sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of Pearl Villa while the garden outside shimmered with fresh dew..

Inside the living room Miles sat comfortably on the couch with Monica and Daniel.

The television played softly in the background.

A weather reporter stood on the screen pointing toward a large map of the country.

“The monsoon currents are expected to reach the coastal region soon,” the reporter explained carefully.

“The rainfall pattern this year appears to be stronger than usual.”

Daniel leaned slightly forward, watching the forecast with interest.

The reporter continued.

“Citizens should prepare for heavy rainfall in the coming weeks, especially around the coastal areas including Star Harbor.”

Daniel nodded slowly.

“Looks like we will get a good monsoon this year.”

Just then Elena walked into the room carrying a small bowl of fruit.

She glanced at the television and smiled.

“I should prepare some monsoon recipes.”

Miles raised an eyebrow.

“I want to see how that turns out.”

Monica chuckled quietly.

Before Elena could respond Monica’s phone buzzed on the table.

Elena noticed it immediately.

“Working on Sunday, Mona?”

Monica smiled politely.

“Just a few important things, aunt.”

Miles glanced at her.

“What is it?”

Monica read the message quickly.

“You should see this.”

She handed her phone to Miles.

Miles looked down at the screen.

The display showed a detailed report from Sterling Security.

Multiple files.

Pictures.

Names.

Background information.

Photographs of several men appeared on the screen.

Miles narrowed his eyes slightly.

“These people?”

Monica nodded.

“They are local businessmen.”

“And a few politicians.”

She leaned forward.

“They appear to have a problem with the new ACE Finance branch.”

Miles scrolled through the report slowly.

Monica continued explaining.

“They planted their own men inside the branch.”

“You can see their pictures in the report.”

Miles studied the faces carefully.

Then he leaned back.

“They fled already.”

Monica nodded slightly.

“It seems so.”

“But according to Charles they have not left the city.”

Her voice became confident.

“We will find them soon.”

Across the room Daniel and Elena exchanged quiet looks.

Elena spoke carefully.

“Is something serious happening?”

Miles immediately looked toward her.

“Just normal business matters, Mom.”

Before Elena could respond the television suddenly changed.

A loud tone played.

Breaking news flashed across the screen.

The anchor appeared immediately.

“Breaking news coming from Star Harbor.”

“The Financial Crime Department has begun raiding the newly established ACE Finance branch.”

Images appeared on the screen showing police vehicles and investigators outside the building.

The reporter continued.

“According to sources the department received an anonymous tip about ongoing illegal transactions inside the branch.”

The footage showed investigators entering the building.

The reporter continued.

“Recently the ACE Finance branch in Brightvale was also raided.”

“Although the culprits were captured and leadership changed, the court has issued strict warnings to the company.”

The anchor leaned slightly forward.

“What will happen now to ACE Finance?”

Monica exhaled slowly.

“Looks like we were too late.”

“We underestimated this.”

Miles smirked faintly.

“Some people think they can commit crimes and escape easily.”

Daniel turned toward Miles curiously.

“What exactly is happening?”

“Does the ACE group have something to do with you?”

Elena remained quiet.

She already knew the truth.

ACE Group was owned by the Sterling family in Citadel.

Miles waved his hand casually.

“Relax.”

“There is nothing to worry about.”

Monica added calmly.

“Yes uncle, aunt.”

“These people simply do not know who they are dealing with.”

Miles stood up.

“Send a legal team.”

His tone became firm.

“I want the Financial Crime Department out of that building within an hour.”

Monica nodded immediately.

“On it boss.”

She stood up and walked away while dialing numbers rapidly.

Miles picked up his own phone and dialed another number.

After a few seconds the call connected.

“Silvey.”

“Are you watching this?”

On the other side Silvey’s voice sounded stressed.

“Yes.”

“I just landed at the Star Harbor airport.”

“I am getting flooded with calls.”

“This happened so fast we did not even have time to react.”

Miles spoke calmly.

“Relax.”

“The ride is already on the way.”

“Come directly to my house.”

“We are sending a legal team to the branch.”

Silvey sighed with relief.

“Thank you brother.”

“That will help a lot.”

Miles continued.

“There are media crews near the branch.”

“Do not go anywhere near them.”

Silvey replied quickly.

“Got it.”

The call ended.

Daniel leaned back on the couch with a smile.

“I have to admit.”

“This looks exciting.”

Elena immediately poked his elbow.

“What excitement?”

Miles laughed softly.

“Trust your son, Mom.”

Elena shook her head gently.

“I trust you more than anyone.”

She sighed.

“I am just worried.”

Then she suddenly remembered something.

“Silvey.”

“Isn’t she the girl who joined us on the beach that day?”

Miles nodded.

“Yes.”

Elena looked at him with interest.

“So she is?”

Miles answered simply.

“A cousin.”

Elena smiled knowingly.

“Really?”

Daniel looked surprised.

“A cousin?”

“How do I not know this?”

Elena explained calmly.

“She is Edward’s niece.”

Daniel nodded slowly.

“So she is from the Sterling family.”

Miles nodded.

“Yes.”

Then he spoke reassuringly.

“Do not worry about the incident.”

“These things will happen from time to time.”

Elena relaxed slightly.

“Yes.”

“But guests do not come every day.”

Her face brightened.

“The house feels lively when relatives visit.”

She clapped her hands gently.

“I will cook something special.”

Just then small footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Hope and Asher walked into the living room.

Hope looked curious.

“Who is coming Mama?”

Miles smiled.

“Big sister Silvey.”

Asher’s eyes lit up instantly.

“The one we met at the beach?”

Elena laughed.

“You have a very sharp memory.”

Hope grinned happily.

“Is she staying with us?”

“That would be fun.”

Elena smiled warmly.

“She will stay.”

“If you ask her nicely.”

Hope nodded excitedly.

“Okay!”

…..

In every growing city there are two kinds of power.

The power that the public sees.

And the power that quietly moves beneath the surface.

Star Harbor was no different.

Behind the rapid economic growth, behind the shining towers and the expanding port, there existed a small circle of men who believed the city belonged to them.

Four names that often appeared in meetings, contracts, and quiet negotiations behind closed doors.

They were not national legends.

They were not world famous magnates.

But within Star Harbor they had built influence strong enough to bend rules, delay decisions, and quietly redirect the flow of money.

And each of them had secrets buried deep beneath their polished reputations.

…..

Geoffrey Barrington.

Secretary of Rural Development.

At first glance Geoffrey looked exactly like what the public expected from a government official. A tall man in his late fifties, always dressed in carefully pressed suits, his silver hair neatly combed and his voice calm and deliberate.

He had spent most of his career inside government administration.

Born in a farming district outside Star Harbor, Geoffrey built his political reputation by promoting rural infrastructure projects. Roads connecting remote towns, irrigation systems for farmers, agricultural subsidies.

To the public he was known as a man who understood the countryside better than the politicians in the capital.

For two decades he had held various regional offices before finally becoming the Secretary of Rural Development for the province.

But the public never saw the other side of Geoffrey Barrington.

The side hidden inside contracts.

Development funds meant for rural communities often disappeared halfway through projects. Construction companies owned by distant relatives would mysteriously win government bids.

Entire budgets meant for irrigation canals were quietly rerouted through shell contractors before reaching the actual projects, leaving farmers with incomplete systems and Barrington with discreet offshore accounts.

Nothing large enough to trigger national investigation.

Just small cuts taken over many years.

Careful.

Invisible.

….

Then there was Dominic Cross.

Owner of Cross Capital.

Dominic was younger than Barrington, somewhere in his early forties, but his reputation in Star Harbor’s financial district was already well established.

He was a charismatic man who dressed sharply and spoke with confidence that made investors trust him instantly.

Cross Capital began as a small private investment firm specializing in local real estate and maritime trade financing.

Under Dominic’s leadership the firm expanded quickly within Star Harbor. They funded port logistics companies, shipping services, warehouse expansions.

He became known as a local financier who understood how the harbor economy worked.

But Cross Capital’s growth had another side.

Dominic maintained close relationships with several high risk clients who could not secure loans through legitimate banks.

Companies with questionable accounting.

Businesses operating near the edge of legality.

Through a complicated network of layered investments, Cross Capital quietly laundered large sums of unreported money into legitimate market assets.

Officially Dominic Cross was a successful financier.

Unofficially he was a quiet gatekeeper for money that needed to be cleaned before entering the economy.

…..

Silas Blackwood.

Secretary of Imports.

Silas was a very different kind of man.

Thin.

Sharp featured.

With dark hair always slicked neatly back.

He spoke little in public appearances, preferring to let his position speak for him.

As Secretary of Imports he controlled a crucial part of Star Harbor’s economy.

Every cargo container entering the port required regulatory clearance from the department he supervised.

Tariffs.

Custom inspections.

Trade approvals.

Silas Blackwood held authority over all of it.

He had built his career through meticulous bureaucratic work, rising through the department over fifteen years before finally securing the position of secretary.

To most citizens he appeared like a quiet but efficient administrator.

But within the port industry everyone knew something else.

Certain containers moved faster through customs.

Certain companies received unusual import privileges.

And occasionally entire shipments passed inspection without being opened.

Silas Blackwood rarely asked questions about those shipments.

Because the men who arranged them were very generous with their appreciation.

Luxury watches.

Foreign travel.

Private accounts opened in quiet financial centers.

His office never appeared connected to anything illegal.

But every major smuggling network operating through Star Harbor’s docks knew exactly which signatures were needed to move their cargo safely.

…..

Finally there was Bennett Hayes.

Owner of Anchor Banks.

Bennett was the oldest of the four.

A heavy set man in his early sixties with a permanent expression of calm authority.

Anchor Banks had once been a modest regional banking network that served small businesses around Star Harbor.

But Bennett Hayes had spent thirty years expanding it carefully.

Branch by branch.

Loan by loan.

Eventually Anchor Banks became one of the city’s most trusted financial institutions for local merchants and property developers.

Bennett often spoke publicly about supporting small businesses and stabilizing the regional economy.

And in many cases that reputation was deserved.

But the deeper records of Anchor Banks told another story.

Certain accounts received unusually flexible credit lines.

Certain borrowers never seemed to repay their loans yet remained in good standing with the bank.

Through complex financial instruments Bennett Hayes quietly moved enormous sums of money between accounts belonging to Dominic Cross’s investment networks and several politically connected development funds tied to Geoffrey Barrington.

Anchor Banks had become the financial bridge that kept the entire system moving.

Clean on the outside.

Corrupted beneath the surface.

Individually none of these men possessed the influence to challenge the national corporations entering Star Harbor.

But together they controlled something powerful.

Local politics.

Regional finance.

Port regulation.

And rural development funding.

For years they believed the city belonged to them.

Until the day the ACE group began opening the branches in Star Harbor.

And the moment the such powerful group arrived, the quiet balance of power inside the city started to shift.

Whether these four men realized it or not, their comfortable control over Star Harbor was about to be tested.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep