Sunday morning at Pearl Villa carried a quiet charm that felt untouched by the chaos unfolding across cities. The maple forest beside the villa shimmered under soft sunlight, its leaves whispering gently with every passing breeze. The ground still held a faint trace of morning dew, and the air was crisp, fresh, and alive.

Miles stepped onto the narrow path, bending slightly as he tightened the laces of his running shoes. His movements were precise and habitual, the kind that came from years of discipline rather than effort. Once done, he straightened and began running forward, his pace steady and controlled.

His stride was light but powerful, each step landing with purpose. He shifted directions smoothly between trees, occasionally accelerating into short bursts of speed before slowing down again. At one point, he leapt over a fallen log without breaking rhythm, landing effortlessly and continuing forward. His breathing stayed even, measured, as if his body had long learned how to conserve energy while pushing its limits.

After a while, he slowed down near a clearing where a small setup of equipment had been arranged. There were weights neatly placed, a pull up bar fixed between two sturdy wooden posts, and a mat laid out on the ground.

Miles wiped the sweat forming on his forehead and stepped toward the area, preparing for the next part of his routine.

Then his eyes shifted.

Not far from his setup, a woman stood on a mat, her posture calm and balanced. She moved through a series of yoga poses with fluid grace, her breathing synchronized with every stretch and hold. The sunlight filtered through the leaves above, casting soft patterns over her as she maintained her focus.

Miles watched for a brief moment before speaking.

“Good morning, Nurse Maya.”

Maya slowly straightened from her pose and turned toward him with a gentle smile.

“Good morning, boss.”

Miles stepped closer, picking up a towel.

“You like doing yoga?”

Maya adjusted her posture, still relaxed.

“I love doing yoga. I stayed in India for two years.”

Miles nodded, mildly impressed.

“That explains it.”

He glanced toward the villa in the distance.

“You should ask my parents to do some exercise too. They might listen to a medical professional more than they listen to me.”

Maya chuckled softly.

“I will try to.”

She looked around the forest, taking a deep breath.

“I love this place by the way. It is so peaceful here.”

Miles followed her gaze for a moment.

“That is the idea.”

He turned back toward her.

“The doctor said you are the best nurse for the job. Just enjoy your stay here, and let me know if you need anything.”

Maya nodded respectfully.

“Thank you, boss. I will do my best to take care of Mr. Tim.”

Miles gave a small nod of appreciation.

“I know you will.”

He gestured lightly toward her mat.

“Go ahead, continue your routine. I will finish mine.”

Maya smiled and returned to her practice, while Miles moved toward his equipment. He grabbed the pull up bar, lifting himself smoothly, his muscles tightening as he repeated each motion with controlled precision. After completing his sets, he moved to the weights, alternating between strength and endurance exercises, maintaining the same disciplined rhythm.

Time passed quietly in the forest.

Eventually, Maya finished first. She rolled up her mat and gave him a small nod before walking back toward the villa.

Miles continued for a bit longer before finally slowing down. He wiped the sweat from his arms and face, taking a moment to breathe in the calm surroundings before heading back as well.

…

In Vespera, the atmosphere was far from peaceful.

Inside the police department, Captain Linus sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on a screen displaying the recording of an interrogation. The footage showed the captured security guard, nervous and silent, avoiding direct answers.

Linus leaned back slightly, frustration building.

“That is it?”

He looked at the officer standing nearby.

“He did not say anything?”

The officer shook his head.

“It is very clear, Captain. The Mordecais are behind this.”

Linus did not respond immediately. His fingers tapped lightly against the table as he thought.

“You visited his family during the investigation, right?”

“Yes, we did.”

The officer hesitated before continuing.

“They seemed… relaxed.”

Linus looked up.

“Relaxed?”

The officer nodded.

“When the DNA results of the burned bodies did not match him, they did not show much concern.”

Linus’s expression hardened slightly.

“Look into the family again.”

His tone carried a quiet seriousness.

“They might be under pressure… or being watched.”

The officer straightened.

“On it, boss.”

Just then, the phone on Linus’s desk rang.

He picked it up immediately.

“Good morning, Chief Lin.”

A firm voice came from the other end.

“Linus, are you handling the factory case?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What is the status?”

Linus leaned forward slightly.

“We have captured the security guard. We are currently interrogating him. I believe Mordecai is involved.”

There was a brief silence before the voice returned, sharper this time.

“What are you even saying?”

Linus frowned slightly but stayed composed.

“Sir?”

“The people who died in that fire are linked to an ongoing case handled by the Narcotics Department.”

Linus’s expression changed.

“What?”

“We are transferring the case to them.”

Linus sat upright.

“But sir, that area falls under our jurisdiction.

The response came immediately, firm and final.

“Do not argue with me.”

Linus clenched his jaw.

“It is an order. Their team is on the way. You will hand over the security guard.”

Linus tried once more.

“But sir…”

“It is an order.”

The line went dead.

Linus stared at the phone for a moment before placing it down harder than necessary.

“Damn it.”

His hand struck the table in frustration.

At that moment, the officer rushed back into the room.

“Captain.”

Linus looked at him.

“The Chief has handed over the case to the Narcotics Department.”

The officer’s eyes widened.

“What? How can he…”

Linus leaned back, exhaling heavily.

“There is nothing we can do now.”

His gaze turned toward the interrogation room.

“They will be here soon.”

His voice steadied, though the frustration remained.

“Prepare the paperwork.”

The officer nodded reluctantly.

“And… hand over the security guard when they arrive.”

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on both of them.

…

Miles stepped out of the villa, the morning still carrying the calm of a slow Sunday. The sports car waited at the driveway, sleek and quiet, reflecting the soft sunlight across its polished surface. He unlocked it with a subtle click and slid into the driver’s seat, his expression already distant, focused on something ahead.

The engine came alive with a low growl.

Without hesitation, he drove out through the gates, the guards stepping aside as the car disappeared down the road.

Inside Pearl Villa, Monica stood near the living area, watching through the window as the car vanished.

She turned toward Daniel.

“Did he say where he was going?”

Daniel shook his head, slightly amused.

“I did not even know he was going out.”

Elena, standing nearby, smiled softly.

“Let him go.”

Her tone was calm, understanding.

“Maybe he is meeting someone.”

Monica’s lips curved into a knowing smile.

“Alright, aunt.”

She rolled up her sleeves slightly.

“Let me help you with lunch then.”

Elena nodded warmly.

“Thank you, dear.”

…

Miles drove through the city streets with smooth precision, weaving past traffic effortlessly. The calm of the villa was left behind as the city’s rhythm took over. After a while, he slowed down near a quiet part of the district where a student library stood, its old structure carrying a sense of quiet knowledge and time.

He parked just outside.

Stepping out, he closed the door behind him and walked toward the entrance, his pace unhurried.

Inside, the air felt different.

Still.

Focused.

The faint scent of paper and ink lingered in the surroundings.

At the counter sat a middle aged woman, glasses resting low on her nose as she organized a few documents. She looked up as Miles approached.

“Can I help you, sir?”

Miles gave a polite nod.

“Do you know Juniper?”

The woman paused for a moment.

“You mean Juniper Walsh?”

“Yes.”

Miles’s tone was casual.

“She is a friend.”

The woman’s expression softened slightly.

“Ah, Juniper.”

A small smile appeared.

“She is a sweet girl. She is inside.”

Miles leaned slightly closer.

“I want to give her a surprise visit. Is that alright?”

The woman looked at him for a second, her eyes reading his expression. Something about his calm presence and the honesty in his tone made her relax.

“Of course.”

She gestured lightly toward the reading area.

“Just do not disturb the other students.”

Miles nodded.

“Thank you. I will make sure of that.”

He paused for a moment.

“Can I get a notebook and a pen?”

“Of course.”

She handed him both.

Miles took them with a small nod of thanks and walked further inside.

…

The library opened into a wide reading hall filled with long wooden tables and neatly arranged bookshelves that stretched almost to the ceiling. Soft sunlight filtered in through tall windows, casting warm light across rows of students quietly studying. The faint sound of pages turning and pens moving against paper created a steady, peaceful rhythm.

Some students sat alone, deeply focused, while others worked quietly in pairs, whispering occasionally. The entire place carried a quiet discipline, as if time itself had slowed down within those walls.

Miles walked between the aisles, his steps light enough not to disturb the silence. His eyes scanned the room calmly.

And then he saw her.

Juniper Walsh.

She sat near one of the windows, sunlight falling gently across her table. She wore simple clothes, her hair tied loosely behind, a few strands falling near her face. A pair of glasses rested on her nose, giving her a studious and gentle appearance. Her posture was slightly leaned forward, completely absorbed in the book in front of her.

Her expression was focused, innocent, untouched by the kind of chaos that followed Miles everywhere.

Miles watched her for a brief moment.

Then walked toward her table.

He pulled the chair in front of her and sat down quietly.

Juniper did not look up.

She continued reading, her attention entirely on the pages.

Miles glanced at her, a faint smile forming.

Then he opened the notebook he had taken, wrote something down, and gently slid it across the table toward her.

The paper stopped just in front of her book.

Juniper paused.

Her eyes shifted slightly.

She looked down at the notebook.

Read the words.

And in the very next second…

She looked up.

Her eyes met his.

To be continued…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep