Chapter 235: No one can retire!!!

The night slowly settled over Star Harbor.

The bar had already begun to quiet down as the crowd thinned and the music softened. Outside, the street lights reflected across the wet pavement from a light evening drizzle.

Sterling Security agents had arrived discreetly.

One by one Miles’ friends were escorted to their cars.

June and April waved goodbye while joking about the unexpected “boss night out.” Flora and Dion left laughing about Celina’s dramatic storytelling. Celina, Becky, and Rose were still teasing Miles about his mysterious VIP appearance upstairs.

Eventually the parking lot grew empty.

Miles stood beside his car while Monica checked her phone one last time.

Silvey leaned against the door, clearly tired.

“You guys really don’t party much,” she said lazily.

Miles smiled faintly.

“Tonight was more than enough.”

They got into the car.

The city lights passed quietly through the windows as Miles drove back toward Pearl Villa.

Monica and Silvey had only taken a few drinks, so neither of them was truly drunk.

But Silvey had been exhausted from travel and stress.

Within minutes she had fallen asleep in the back seat.

Monica glanced over her shoulder and chuckled quietly.

“Looks like she’s out.”

Miles nodded.

“She needed the rest.”

By the time they reached Pearl Villa the house was completely quiet.

It was far past the usual sleeping hour.

The security lights illuminated the driveway softly as they entered.

They helped Silvey upstairs without waking her and guided her to the guest room.

Monica yawned slightly.

“Goodnight boss.”

“Tomorrow will be interesting.”

Miles nodded.

“Get some rest.”

The house slowly returned to silence.

But Miles did not go to sleep.

He walked into his room and sat beside the large window overlooking the dark garden.

The desk lamp beside him cast a soft circle of light.

In his hands was the picture frame.

He stared at it quietly.

The young man in the photograph.

His grandfather.

The woman beside him.

His grandmother.

Tomorrow.

Olivia’s mysterious grandmother would arrive in Star Harbor.

Tomorrow he might finally receive answers.

Yet his heart felt restless.

Too many questions.

Too many unfinished pieces.

Then suddenly a soft knock came at the door.

Before he could respond the door opened.

“Elena stepped inside.”

Miles turned slightly.

“Mom?”

“Is everything alright?”

Elena walked slowly into the room.

She looked calm but thoughtful.

Without saying anything she sat down in the empty chair beside his desk.

Her eyes fell naturally toward the picture frame.

She leaned closer.

Then gently picked it up.

Elena studied the photograph carefully.

A warm smile slowly appeared on her face.

“Where did you get this picture, son?”

Miles looked at her quietly.

“She is grandma, right?”

Elena nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

“Your grandfather showed me this picture once.”

She ran her finger gently across the glass.

“Your father had the same photograph.”

Her eyes softened as she looked at the woman in the image.

“How did you get this?”

Miles sighed quietly.

“I won’t hide things from you, Mom.”

“But I also don’t want to hurt you by digging into the past.”

He paused.

“About them.”

“About Dad.”

Elena smiled gently.

“It’s alright, son.”

“They were part of you.”

“They were family.”

“You deserve to know about them.”

She leaned back slightly.

“I moved on from the past.”

“But that doesn’t erase it.”

She looked again at the woman in the picture.

“Even though I never met your grandmother…”

“She was very beautiful.”

“Your father talked about her often.”

Her voice became softer.

“Every year he took me to visit her grave.”

Miles’ eyes widened slightly.

“Her grave?”

Elena nodded.

“Yes.”

“She is buried in the Star Harbor cemetery.”

Miles sat completely still.

Elena continued calmly.

“The last time I saw your grandfather…”

“…he was leaving to visit her grave.”

Miles slowly closed his eyes.

That confirmed it.

His grandmother was dead.

The woman who called Olivia was not his grandmother.

His chest felt heavy with that realization.

Without thinking he leaned slightly toward Elena and rested his head gently on her shoulder.

“I don’t know when this will end.”

His voice was quiet.

“But once I find the truth…”

“I will move on.”

Elena gently placed her hand on his head and softly brushed through his hair.

“You are free to do whatever makes you happy, my son.”

“Just remember…”

“Your family is always with you.”

She smiled warmly.

“Even the Sterling family has accepted you.”

“I am your real mother.”

Miles slowly lifted his head.

“You know about that?”

Elena smiled knowingly.

“The way you help Silvey…”

“It is obvious.”

She looked at him proudly.

“You are the heir of the Sterling family.”

“I wouldn’t even be surprised if they gave you their entire wealth.”

“You deserve it.”

Miles chuckled softly.

“They actually did.”

“The entire ACE Group is under me now.”

He leaned back slightly.

“But I want Silvey to run it.”

“I already have too much to manage.”

Elena smiled with quiet pride.

“Seeing you succeed makes me proud.”

Her voice softened slightly.

“I only regret that I could not help you reach this point.”

Miles immediately shook his head.

“It all began with you, Mom.”

“You gave me life.”

“That was your greatest contribution.”

Elena’s eyes warmed.

Then she gently held his hands.

“Promise me one thing.”

Miles nodded immediately.

“Yes.”

“If something ever happens to me…”

“…you will always take care of Hope and Asher.”

Miles tightened his grip on her hands.

“What are you saying?”

“You are not going anywhere.”

Elena smiled softly.

“Alright.”

“Then you should sleep.”

“Tomorrow is Monday.”

Miles nodded.

“Yes.”

“You should rest too.”

Elena stood up slowly and walked toward the door.

“Goodnight, dear.”

“Sleep well.”

The door closed quietly behind her.

Miles remained sitting by the window.

The room was silent again.

He looked down at the photograph in his hands once more.

….

Silverline City had grown quiet for the night.

The city lights shimmered across the calm river that cut through the center of town, reflecting softly against the glass windows of the houses along the street.

Inside one of those homes Basil sat alone in his study.

The room smelled faintly of old books and warm tea.

He leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed for the first time in many years.

His son had decided to stay in Silverline permanently.

His family had settled down.

For a man who had spent decades chasing danger and secrets across the world, that simple decision meant more than any treasure.

Basil exhaled slowly.

For a moment he allowed himself to imagine a quiet retirement.

No more hidden wars.

No more conspiracies.

Just peaceful mornings and evenings with his grandchildren.

But peace rarely lasted long in Basil’s life.

His phone buzzed on the table.

He picked it up immediately.

“Princess?”

His voice carried relief.

“Where have you been?”

“I tried reaching you.”

“I even tried contacting the Grandmaster but there was no response.”

On the other side Thea’s voice sounded tense.

“The Grandmaster is missing, Basil.”

Basil sat upright instantly.

“What?”

“I think he might be in danger.”

Basil frowned deeply.

“But the treasure hunters are gone.”

Thea responded quietly.

“They were never the only ones he was worried about.”

The silence on Basil’s end grew heavier.

Then he spoke calmly.

“What information do you have?”

Thea sighed.

“I am sending you everything I could gather.”

“But this is the only help I can provide right now.”

Her voice lowered.

“Please find him.”

Basil nodded even though she could not see him.

“I will.”

The call ended.

Basil lowered the phone slowly.

He walked to the window and looked up at the night sky above Silverline.

Stars shimmered quietly above the sleeping city.

Basil sighed deeply.

“Looks like life won’t let me retire.”

—

Early morning arrived in Star Harbor.

The sun had just begun rising over the ocean when Miles returned from his workout.

Sweat still glistened lightly on his forehead as he stepped into the garden of Pearl Villa.

He slowed his pace when he noticed someone near the patio.

Silvey stood there speaking on her phone.

Her expression looked serious.

“Yes Grandpa.”

“He is here.”

Miles approached calmly.

Silvey noticed him and extended the phone.

“Grandpa wants to speak with you.”

Miles took the phone.

“Hello Grandpa Gordon.”

On the other side Gordon’s voice remained steady and calm.

“I know you have things under control.”

“Just don’t let the water rise any further.”

Miles nodded.

“Don’t worry.”

“It’s actually turning into a perfect opportunity for expansion.”

“I already gathered the necessary intel.”

“The trial will happen in a few days.”

“In the Star Harbor court.”

Gordon chuckled faintly.

“Then I will leave it to the two of you.”

“That will be a good learning experience for Silvey.”

“Take care.”

Miles nodded again.

“Alright.”

The call ended.

Silvey crossed her arms with a small grin.

“He’s not worried because of you.”

Miles smiled faintly.

“Good to hear.”

Just then two small figures walked toward them from the hallway.

Hope and Asher appeared wearing their school uniforms.

“Big brooo!”

Asher ran forward happily.

“Good morning!”

Hope smiled politely beside him.

Miles looked at them and chuckled.

“I should take a shower first.”

Without another word he walked toward the house.

Silvey watched him leave and turned toward Elena who had just stepped outside.

“What was that about, Aunt Elena?”

Elena laughed softly.

“Nothing.”

“Once Hope told him he smells after his morning workout.”

Monica walked out behind them holding a cup of coffee.

“That’s hilarious.”

Silvey laughed loudly.

“No big brother wants to hear his little sister call him smelly.”

Hope blinked in confusion.

“Huh?”

“What are you talking about?”

Elena smiled and guided them toward the dining room.

“Nothing dear.”

“Breakfast is ready.”

—

At the far edge of Star Harbor the atmosphere was very different.

A run down roadside motel stood beside an empty highway.

The parking lot looked abandoned.

Suddenly several black vehicles pulled up quietly.

Sterling Security agents stepped out.

Within seconds they surrounded one of the motel rooms.

The door burst open.

Armed agents stormed inside with weapons raised.

Three men sleeping inside the room jumped awake in panic.

“What the hell!”

“Who are you people?”

“We didn’t do anything!”

Charles walked in slowly behind the agents.

He calmly pulled off one of his gloves.

Then without warning he slapped one of the men hard across the face.

The man fell sideways against the bed.

“You didn’t do anything?”

Charles’ voice turned cold.

“You messed with the wrong people.”

The three men trembled as they realized what was happening.

Charles turned toward his agents.

“Contact the police chief.”

“Hand them over along with the evidence.”

His voice remained firm.

“And make sure no outsiders learn about this.”

He adjusted his coat slightly.

“Tell them it’s an order from General Miles Sterling.”

One of the agents nodded immediately.

“Understood boss.”

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