Chapter 261: Two hundred thousand??

Citadel City welcomed the morning with a gentle glow, the rain from the previous days reduced to a faint mist that lingered over the streets and gardens. The air felt fresh, almost celebratory, as if the city itself knew that today was special.

At the heart of it all stood the Sterling Estate.

The grand mansion shimmered under soft golden light, its exterior decorated with elegant arrangements, while inside, the atmosphere was filled with warmth, laughter, and anticipation. The halls were alive with movement, staff walking gracefully with trays, family members gathering in small groups, and the scent of fresh flowers filling every corner.

Today was not just any day.

It was the birthday of the patriarch.

Gordon Sterling.

Inside his private chamber, Gordon slowly opened his eyes. The years had marked him with wisdom rather than weakness, his presence still carrying authority even in the quiet of the morning. He sat up, tied his robe with calm familiarity, and walked toward the door.

As he stepped downstairs, the scene before him unfolded like a celebration waiting just for him.

The living room was adorned with countless bouquets, each more exquisite than the last. Cards of all kinds were placed neatly on tables, shelves, and even the central display stand. The entire space radiated affection, respect, and legacy.

Before he could take another step, a familiar voice echoed.

“Happy birthday, grandpa.”

Silvey ran toward him, her face bright with joy as she wrapped her arms around him.

Gordon smiled warmly, placing his hand gently on her head.

“Thank you, dear.”

His gaze softened for a moment, the weight of years replaced by simple happiness.

Soon after, David approached with Birdie by his side. They carried a beautifully arranged bouquet, stepping forward with respectful smiles.

“Happy birthday, father.”

Gordon accepted the bouquet, nodding appreciatively.

“Thank you, my children. Waking up early and coming here for me means more than you think.”

David shook his head lightly, almost offended.

“What are you saying, father. Do not treat your own son like an outsider.”

Gordon chuckled, the sound deep and full.

“Then tell me something.”

He looked at David with a knowing expression.

“How does it feel when your own daughter does not live with you, stays busy with work, and barely calls?”

David froze for a second, his eyes instinctively shifting toward Silvey.

Birdie glanced at her as well, while Silvey quietly hid her face, unable to meet their eyes.

David let out a sigh, a faint smile forming.

“You are right, father. I apologize.”

He straightened slightly.

“Now that work is moving to the next generation, we will visit more often.”

Gordon laughed, clearly pleased.

“My children, that is all I ever wanted.”

The warmth in his voice spread through the room.

“I love you all.”

David nodded, then shifted the conversation.

“The preparations for tonight’s gathering are complete.”

Gordon nodded slowly, then asked a question that carried quiet importance.

“Did you invite Miles?”

Silvey stepped forward slightly.

“I did invite him.”

Her tone was gentle.

“But he is busy with something important. And you know how the weather is in Star Harbor right now. It is worse than here.”

She smiled faintly.

“He said he will send his best wishes.”

Gordon nodded, not disappointed, but understanding.

“It is fine.”

His eyes carried a hint of pride.

“That child works hard.”

He paused for a moment.

“Just like my elder brother… Timothy.”

His voice softened slightly at the name.

“He built everything from nothing.”

Silvey remained silent, her smile unchanged, though her heart held a secret she could not reveal yet.

David spoke quietly.

“I wish I could have met uncle Tim.”

Silvey looked at him for a moment, then gently shifted the moment.

“How about we see where those wishes have come from?”

Gordon’s attention moved toward the collection of bouquets arranged across the room. His eyes scanned them one by one, appreciating their beauty, until suddenly… one particular arrangement caught his full attention.

He stepped closer.

His expression changed.

“That is…”

He leaned slightly forward, studying the flowers carefully.

“Shenzhen Nongke Orchid.”

Birdie blinked in confusion.

“The what?”

Gordon’s eyes remained fixed on the bouquet, his voice carrying both surprise and admiration.

“These flowers… they are called Shenzhen Nongke Orchid.”

He gently reached out, not touching them, but observing with deep respect.

“It is one of the rarest flowers in the world.”

The room grew quieter as people listened.

“It takes eight years to cultivate.”

He continued.

“And it blooms only once every four to five years.”

The weight of his words settled slowly.

“It is not just rare… it is incredibly expensive.”

David frowned slightly.

“How expensive?”

Gordon looked at him.

“Approximately two hundred thousand dollars.”

Silence fell.

Even the staff who were arranging decorations paused, their eyes widening in disbelief.

“Two hundred thousand… for flowers?”

David whispered, unable to hide his shock.

Silvey stepped closer, curiosity lighting her expression.

“Who would spend that much on a bouquet?”

Gordon did not answer immediately.

Instead, he noticed the envelope attached carefully to the arrangement.

He reached for it.

His fingers moved slowly, almost cautiously, as if he already sensed something unusual.

He opened the envelope.

And as his eyes began to read the contents…

His expression changed.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

The room waited.

Because whatever was written inside…

Was not ordinary.

…

Star Harbor remained wrapped under a heavy curtain of rain, the storm refusing to loosen its grip over the city. Thick mist rolled in from the ocean, swallowing buildings, roads, and even the distant harbor lights. Visibility had dropped so low that vehicles moved cautiously, their headlights barely piercing through the grey haze.

The Mayor’s office had already issued a notice.

Schools and universities were shut down until further orders, the risk of accidents too high under such conditions. Streets that were usually filled with students now felt unusually quiet, while offices and corporations continued their operations as if nothing had changed.

Inside Sterling Enterprises, the day moved forward without interruption.

Miles chose to stay indoors.

The gym room echoed with the steady rhythm of the treadmill. His footsteps were precise, controlled, yet powerful, each stride pushing the machine faster. Sweat traced down his face as he gradually increased the speed, testing the limits of endurance and control.

His breathing remained steady.

Focused.

Disciplined.

The glass walls reflected his figure, a man shaped by both training and war, someone who never allowed himself to slow down.

The door opened quietly.

Monica stepped in.

Miles slowed the treadmill gradually before stepping off, reaching for balance only for a brief second. Monica walked closer and handed him a towel without a word.

He wiped his face, exhaling lightly.

“Thanks.”

He looked at her.

“What is the news?”

Monica’s expression remained composed.

“Charles ran a small operation last night.”

Miles’s lips curved slightly.

“And?”

Monica crossed her arms.

“They caught the shooter.”

Miles stopped wiping for a second.

“The one who killed the fifth man… the one who attacked Luna and escaped.”

Miles’s eyes sharpened.

“What?”

He lowered the towel.

“Where is he?”

“In a safe house at Citadel.”

Monica’s tone remained steady.

“And he talked.”

Miles leaned slightly forward.

“It was Rowan, right?”

Monica shook her head.

“No.”

Miles frowned slightly.

“Then Jax did it?”

Monica tilted her head.

“Half correct.”

Miles narrowed his eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“Jax did order the abduction.”

She paused briefly.

“But he did not order the killing.”

Miles’s expression changed.

“What?”

His voice lowered.

“Then who did?”

Monica took a step closer.

“There is a name we did not expect.”

Miles’s brows lifted slightly.

“Who is it?”

Monica spoke clearly.

“Corbin Mordecai.”

Silence followed.

Miles blinked once, processing.

“Corbin?”

His voice carried disbelief.

“Jax’s son?”

Monica nodded.

“Yes.”

Miles ran a hand through his hair slowly.

“But we thought he was clean.”

His tone turned sharper.

“Away from all this.”

Monica gave a faint, knowing look.

“Looks like it runs in the blood.”

Miles let out a slow breath.

“So he removed the evidence… on Jax’s order?”

Monica shook her head again.

“That is where things get strange.”

Miles looked at her.

“Strange?”

“The shooter said something very specific.”

She continued.

“He was ordered that none of the men should succeed that night.”

Miles froze for a second.

Then his eyes widened slightly.

“It means…”

Monica finished it.

“Corbin did not want his father to succeed.”

A moment of silence.

Then…

Miles laughed.

Not loudly.

But deeply.

“There is conflict inside the family.”

His eyes gleamed with interest.

“That makes things easier.”

He looked at Monica.

“Dig deeper into this. Tell Charles to pull everything on Corbin.”

Monica nodded.

“Understood.”

Miles reached for his phone immediately, dialing without hesitation.

The call connected quickly.

“Happy birthday, Grandpa Gordon.”

On the other side, Gordon’s warm voice responded.

“Thank you, son.”

A small pause.

“I was about to call you.”

Miles leaned slightly against the desk.

“Really? What is it about?”

Gordon’s tone shifted, carrying a hint of intrigue.

“Someone sent me a Shenzhen Nongke Orchid.”

Miles raised a brow.

“That is quite expensive.”

A faint chuckle escaped him.

“I did not know you had such admirers at this age.”

Gordon coughed lightly on the other end.

In the background, Silvey could be heard laughing softly.

“There was a note attached.”

Miles straightened slightly.

“What does it say?”

Gordon read it out.

“It says… Keep Kyle Sterling away from Mordecai. Forever.”

Miles’s expression changed instantly.

“What?”

Gordon continued.

“It was signed by…”

Miles interrupted.

“Let me guess.”

His voice turned calm, almost certain.

“Corbin Mordecai.”

There was a pause.

Gordon sounded surprised.

“You knew already?”

Miles smirked.

“Looks like I hit the nail there.”

His mind connected the pieces rapidly.

“It is becoming clear now.”

Gordon asked quietly.

“What is it?”

Miles spoke without hesitation.

“It is simple.”

“Corbin hates Kyle and doesn’t want him back.”

“He does not want him to return.”

His tone sharpened slightly.

“When Jax retires… Corbin does not want competition.”

Gordon sighed.

“The children these days… relationships mean nothing to them.”

Silvey’s voice came in lightly.

“That is harsh, grandpa.”

David chuckled faintly.

Gordon continued.

“Everything feels calm here.”

“All Mordecai men are gone.”

“It looks like things are settling.”

Miles’s smile faded slightly.

“It is not settling.”

His voice turned cold.

“They are coming instead.”

Gordon fell silent for a moment.

Then calmly said.

“Take care of yourself.”

Miles nodded faintly, even though he knew it could not be seen.

“You enjoy your day.”

“Get ready for the party tonight.”

“It is your day.”

Gordon’s voice softened.

“Alright.”

“Take care, son.”

Miles ended the call.

The room fell quiet.

The rain outside continued.

And slowly…

A dark, dangerous smile spread across Miles’s face.

Because now…

The game was no longer hidden.

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