The next morning in Vespera carried an uneasy calm, the kind that felt too quiet for a city that thrived on noise and control.

Rowan Mordecai stepped out of his mansion, his posture rigid, his mind still disturbed from the events of the previous day. The image of Kyle on the television had not left him. It lingered, replaying again and again, refusing to fade.

He walked toward his car and opened the door without much thought.

As he settled into the back seat, his eyes lifted toward the front.

For a brief second, something felt off.

The man sitting behind the wheel was not his usual driver.

Rowan frowned.

“Where is my driver?”

The man adjusted the mirror slightly before answering in a respectful tone.

“Sir, he is not well today. I will be driving you.”

Rowan studied him carefully.

“Can you drive?”

The man nodded without hesitation.

“I used to work as a driver before, sir.”

Rowan leaned back slowly.

“Alright.”

His voice carried a hint of impatience.

“Take me to the office.”

“Yes, sir.”

The engine started, and the car moved out of the gates, merging into the morning traffic as it made its way toward the Mordecai headquarters.

For a few minutes, there was nothing unusual.

The streets passed by.

People moved about their routines.

The city looked normal.

But Rowan’s mind was not.

As the car took a turn near a small roadside shop, his eyes instinctively shifted toward a display board mounted outside.

And there it was again.

The same video.

Kyle.

Wearing a hospital gown.

Shouting in fear.

“They are going to kill us…”

Rowan’s body stiffened instantly.

“Kyle…”

His voice rose.

“Kyle!”

His hand slammed forward.

“Stop the car!”

The brakes screeched as the vehicle halted abruptly, causing a slight jerk.

The driver turned quickly.

“Is everything alright, sir?”

Rowan leaned forward, pointing toward the shop.

“Look at the screen.”

His voice trembled slightly.

“What do you see?”

The driver rolled down the window and leaned out just enough to get a clear view.

“Advertisement, sir.”

Rowan’s eyes snapped back to the screen.

It was normal.

Bright.

Harmless.

Nothing but a generic ad playing.

His breathing grew uneven.

“There was…”

He struggled to form words.

“There was something there…”

The driver looked at him carefully.

“Are you alright, sir?”

He reached for a bottle and handed it back.

“Have some water.”

Rowan took it but did not drink.

His hands trembled slightly.

“Take me back.”

The driver did not move.

Rowan’s voice rose sharply.

“I said take me back!”

“Yes, sir.”

The car turned around immediately, heading back toward the mansion.

As Rowan leaned back, trying to steady himself, the driver’s lips curled into a faint, unnoticed smirk.

…

Miles sat in his office in Star Harbor, the calm of the room contrasting sharply with the storm building across cities.

The large glass window behind him reflected the skyline, but his focus remained on the desk in front of him.

June stood near the entrance.

“Boss, Chief Sam from SHPD is here.”

Miles looked up slightly.

“Send him in.”

“Alright.”

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Chief Sam entered, his posture straight as ever. He saluted sharply.

“Greetings, General.”

Miles gestured toward the chair.

“Have a seat, Chief.”

Sam sat down, his expression serious.

“I received a call from Vespera Police Chief today.”

Miles’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“You mean Lin?”

“Yes.”

Sam nodded.

“He wants to inquire about the recent factory fire case.”

Miles leaned back slightly.

“Me?”

A faint hint of amusement touched his voice.

“Why?”

Sam continued.

“He claims that your weapons and arms division is the biggest competition to certain businesses in that region.”

Miles’s expression did not change, but his eyes sharpened.

“And?”

“The narcotics department has placed your company on a suspect list.”

Miles raised an eyebrow.

“Narcotics?”

Sam nodded.

“Apparently, the people who died in that fire were involved in an ongoing drug case.”

A quiet chuckle escaped Miles.

“Are they serious?”

“Yes, sir.”

Sam remained composed.

“Chief Lin himself plans to come here.”

Miles shook his head slightly, a faint smile forming.

“Why is it always a Chief?”

His tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

“First your old Chief… now another city’s Chief.”

He leaned forward slightly.

“The older they get… the more corrupt they become.”

Then his gaze settled firmly on Sam.

“I hope you remain righteous, Chief Sam.”

Sam’s response came without hesitation.

“I will never sell myself, sir.”

Miles nodded.

“Good.”

He leaned back again.

“Let him come.”

His voice turned calm, but there was something dangerous beneath it.

“I will deal with him here.”

A brief silence followed before Miles spoke again.

“What do you think of Captain Lucas?”

Sam considered for a moment.

“Lucas is a good officer.”

His tone carried respect.

“He also served in the Provincial Army.”

Miles nodded slightly.

“That is good to hear.”

He waved his hand lightly.

“Thank you for the information, Chief.”

Sam stood up, saluted once more, and left the room.

As the door closed, June stepped forward slightly.

“Well… that was interesting.”

Miles leaned back in his chair, a faint smile on his face.

“I was actually tired.”

He looked out toward the city.

“I did not feel like leaving Star Harbor.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“Let him come here.”

A quiet confidence settled in his voice.

“We will settle everything right here.”

June chuckled softly, already knowing how that would unfold.

…

The evening at Pearl Villa felt calm, almost untouched by the chaos that had been unfolding beyond its walls. The house carried a warmth that only a home filled with people could hold. Laughter from earlier still lingered faintly in the air, blending with the aroma of freshly prepared food.

The restaurant had reached a point where it no longer demanded every ounce of Elena and Daniel’s time. The systems were in place, the staff trained well, and Elena’s recipes had already become the pride of the chefs working under her. The Atelier was no longer just a restaurant. It had become a name people trusted.

Inside the villa, staff members moved quietly, placing dishes one by one on the dining table. The presentation was neat, the food arranged with care, each plate reflecting Elena’s touch.

Elena stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands lightly on a cloth as her eyes searched the room.

“Where is he?”

Monica looked up from where she stood.

“Who, boss?”

A small smile appeared.

“Maybe he is in his room.”

Elena tilted her head slightly.

“Hmm? Sleeping?”

Monica shook her head.

“I do not think so. He never sleeps in the evening.”

Elena called out softly.

“Asher.”

Within seconds, small hurried footsteps echoed across the floor as Asher came running.

“Mama?”

Elena bent slightly, brushing his hair back.

“Can you call your big brother, dear? Tell him it is dinner time.”

Asher’s eyes lit up.

“Okay!”

He turned instantly and ran toward the stairs, his voice already turning into a playful rhythm.

“Big bro dinner is ready, big bro dinner is ready…”

His voice faded as he rushed upstairs, still chanting to himself.

Reaching the door, he knocked enthusiastically.

“Knock knock!”

From inside, Miles’s calm voice answered.

“Who is there?”

Asher grinned.

“Superboy.”

A faint chuckle came from inside.

“What really? Fly in then.”

Asher pushed the door open.

Miles sat on the edge of his bed, one hand resting casually as if he had been lost in thought just moments ago. The moment he saw Asher, his expression softened.

Asher jumped straight onto him.

“Big bro, see my superpower!”

Miles caught him easily, pulling him in as they bounced lightly on the bed.

“What is it?”

Asher laughed.

“Mama is calling for dinner.”

Miles nodded.

“I am hungry.”

He stood up in one smooth motion, lifting Asher onto his back.

“Let’s go.”

They walked out together, Asher holding onto him tightly, still giggling.

As they reached downstairs, Hope stood waiting, her arms already raised.

“Big bro… give me a lift too!”

Miles smiled.

“Of course.”

He picked her up as well, balancing both of them with ease.

Elena watched the scene, her lips curving into a warm smile.

“That is enough now. Come down, both of you.”

Monica, standing to the side, quietly captured the moment on her phone.

Daniel folded his arms, watching them with amusement.

“You two are always troubling your big brother, aren’t you?”

Hope pouted slightly.

“Big bro… daddy is scolding.”

Miles chuckled softly.

“It is alright, father.”

He carefully placed both of them on their chairs at the dining table.

Elena gestured gently.

“You sit too. Dinner is ready.”

Miles nodded.

“Let me wash my hands first.”

Hope and Asher immediately jumped down.

“We are coming too!”

They followed him, their small voices echoing faintly down the hallway.

Soon, everyone gathered at the table.

The dishes were served.

The family began to eat.

Miles took a bite and looked toward Elena.

“Everything good at the restaurant?”

Elena nodded proudly.

“Yes. We are fully reserved till the seventeenth.”

Miles repeated softly.

“The seventeenth…”

Something shifted in his expression.

His movements slowed.

The air around him changed, subtle but noticeable.

Monica noticed immediately.

She lowered her gaze slightly.

Daniel looked at Elena, sensing the change.

Elena frowned gently.

“What is it?

Miles looked up quickly, forcing a small smile.

“Nothing, mom.”

But his breath was not steady anymore

Monica stepped in smoothly, her voice casual.

“Boss, try this soup. It is really good.”

Miles glanced at her, understanding the intention

“Thanks.”

He took the bowl and focused back on the meal.

The conversation resumed.

The warmth returned.

The moment passed… at least on the surface.

Dinner ended peacefully.

One by one, they began to disperse.

Miles walked quietly back to his room.

The door closed behind him.

The silence returned.

He stood there for a moment before moving toward his cupboard. He crouched slightly and reached down to the bottom, pulling out a small wooden box that had been carefully placed out of sight.

He held it for a second before unlocking it.

The lid opened slowly.

Inside, neatly placed, was a small hairclip shaped like a daisy.

Simple.

Delicate.

Yet preserved with care.

Miles picked it up gently, holding it between his fingers as if it could break at the slightest pressure. His eyes rested on it, but his mind was somewhere else.

There was a quiet sadness in his gaze.

A memory.

Something unfinished.

Then he reached into the box again and pulled out a photograph.

He held it in his hand.

And looked at it.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep