Chapter 37: Fallen, you said??

The car glided through the gated entrance of the Star Harbor Grand Pavilion, the most opulent event venue in the city. The driveway was lined with glowing lanterns and a velvet carpet rolled down the front steps. Luxury cars lined the drop-off point—sleek Rolls-Royces, futuristic sports cars, a few classic collectibles. Valets in white gloves rushed forward, offering doors and bows.

The massive glass doors of the crystal-lit hall stood open, revealing a world of glittering youth and wealth inside.

Inside the Grand Pavilion:

The atmosphere buzzed with elegance.

Young men in tailored tuxedos and watches worth more than apartments. Girls in couture gowns shimmered like walking gemstones. Pearls, diamonds, soft jazz in the background. The scent of rich perfume and imported wine floated through the air. Every guest under 30, every one of them the child of someone important—or on their way to being someone important themselves.

There was laughter, gossip, subtle competition in glances and gestures.

And then—

Miles and Celina entered.

Their walk together wasn’t flashy. But it was enough to steal the room’s breath for a moment.

Heads turned.

Whispers began.

“Wait… is that Celina Wraithbourne?“”Who’s that guy with her…? Her boyfriend?“”I’ve never seen him before. He looks dangerous and expensive.“”He must be someone important—look at how confident he is.“”No way she’s dating a nobody.”

Miles could hear it all, but he didn’t react. He offered his arm. Celina took it gracefully.

They descended the steps into the main ballroom where golden chandeliers lit the space like daylight. Servers passed by with flutes of champagne. A grand stage stood at the far end for speeches and performances. Each table was draped in velvet, embroidered with gold thread.

Celina whispered just loud enough, grinning as she leaned closer, “We just walked in and already they’re inventing stories about us.”

Miles replied smoothly, “Let them. Sometimes mystery does all the work.”

They moved through the room—not guests, not showpieces, but something rarer: people you don’t dare underestimate.

The room buzzed with lights, music, and murmurs of wealth and legacy. One by one, the names of elite families were called on stage:

“A hundred thousand dollars from the Queen family of Star Harbor!”

Polite applause echoed. Laughter followed. Champagne glasses clinked.The charity event felt less like a fundraiser and more like a high-society scoreboard.

Miles and Celina sat at a velvet-draped round table near the front. Celina swirled a half-glass of rich red wine, her legs crossed, gaze occasionally drifting to the stage, occasionally to the people. She looked calm, poised—but also slightly amused by the theatrics.

Miles, on the other hand, held a tall glass of soda in one hand, relaxed in posture, but with eyes that missed nothing.

They were like still water in a storm—quiet, but impossible to ignore.

Suddenly—

“Good evening, brother Miles… and sister-in-law Celina.”

A familiar voice intruded, smug and perfectly timed.

Ryan Allen.

Miles blinked—then coughed violently on his soda.

Celina burst out laughing, nearly spilling her wine.”Sister-in-law?!”

Miles composed himself, wiping his mouth with a napkin, glaring at Ryan.”What the hell are you saying…?”

Ryan smirked, dressed in a perfectly fitted navy tuxedo with silver cufflinks shaped like swords.He raised both hands innocently. “Hey, hey. I’m just calling what it looks like. You two walked in like royalty. People are already gossiping. I’m just ahead of the curve.”

Celina grinned, resting her elbow on the table and her chin on her palm. “Wow, Miles. Looks like we’re married and didn’t even know.”

Miles gave Ryan a sharp side-eye. “Keep this up and I’ll marry you instead.”

Celina almost choked on her drink from laughing too hard.

Ryan chuckled, pulling out the empty chair next to them. “Relax, I come in peace tonight. After what I saw at the restaurant… I’d rather be on your good side.”

Miles leaned back with a crooked smile. “You’re learning.”

Ryan nodded respectfully, then turned to Celina. “Miss Wraithborne, you do look radiant tonight. If I didn’t know Miles had already snatched you up, I might’ve tried my luck.”

Celina raised a brow, sipping her wine. “And how do you know he has?”

Miles turned toward her slowly.

Ryan blinked.

Celina smirked. “Exactly. You people assume too much.”

The tension turned playful again. The three chuckled, blending back into the atmosphere of wealth and whispers, as another name echoed from the stage.

“Fifty thousand dollars from the Xu family!”

Polite clapping echoed around the room as another donor’s name was announced from the stage.

Ryan approached slowly, his expression more solemn this time.

“Brother Miles…” he began, voice steady but soft, “Please accept my sincere apologies for last night.”

Miles tilted his head slightly, curious.

Ryan continued, “I’m… very close to my father. Always have been. And only I know just how much pride he takes in that silly old tea he brews.”

His gaze dropped momentarily, as if collecting himself.

“When you mentioned his tea… I knew. You had to be someone important. Someone from back then.”

Miles said nothing, but his face turned thoughtful.

“So I asked him—described you exactly. And when he realized it was you…” Ryan chuckled lightly, eyes glassing just a bit, “…he got so excited. Like a kid. He told me everything about that year. That mission. That night in the forest.”

Ryan looked up again.

“Thank you for being there… and keeping him safe.”

There was a brief silence at the table.Celina turned to look at Miles, surprised. She had never seen Ryan speak like that before—calm, respectful, even a little emotional.

Miles finally nodded, a soft smile rising on his face.

“How’s he doing? Still sneaking off to that village?”

Ryan grinned, the tension breaking. “Oh no, no more sneaking. He flies there now. With a chopper. And two armed guards.”

Miles chuckled.

Ryan added, “He also asked me to tell you… he’s happy. That you made it back to the world. And he wishes you peace, happiness, and a warm home. He also said, anytime you’re free—come have tea again.

”

Miles smiled wider this time. “Tell him I will.”

Then, Celina leaned in playfully, narrowing her eyes. “Alright, I’m officially curious now. What is it with this tea everyone’s so dramatic about?”

Ryan laughed. “It’s… a vibe. Trust me.”

Celina pouted. “I met Uncle Ralf once at my dad’s office. He looked serious. Didn’t offer me any tea.”

Miles smirked. “Guess you weren’t special enough.”

Celina gasped. “Excuse me?”

Ryan grinned. “You’re invited too, Miss Celina. Promise.”

Celina leaned back, satisfied. “Good.”

Miles nodded. “We’ll visit. After I finish college this month.”

Ryan blinked. “Wait—you’re actually going to college?”

Miles gave a half-shrug. “It’s… a Wraithbourne escort mission. High stakes. I couldn’t turn it down.” He said it in a deadpan whisper, then chuckled.

Celina rolled her eyes. “You’re such a menace.”

Ryan chuckled, pulling out a sleek black card from his inner coat pocket. “Here. Take my number. If you need anything—really, anything—just call.”

Miles accepted it with a short nod. “Appreciated.”

The night was shifting. No longer just a gathering of heirs and fortunes—it was slowly becoming a reunion of fates.

The host raised his voice from the stage, “Five hundred thousand dollars from the Wraithbourne family of Star City!”

Polite gasps echoed through the grand hall.

Whispers followed…

“Half a million?””The Wraithbournes always donate big…””I heard the Hall family only gave three hundred K this year…”

Celina, sitting beside Miles, smiled calmly as if used to the murmurs.

Not long after, the lights dimmed.The orchestra began to play a soft waltz.Couples rose, taking their partners to the floor. Among them, Ryan gave the pair a friendly wave before vanishing into the swirling dance.

Just then, a voice came from beside their table.

“Miss Celina… would you care to dance?”

Miles turned his gaze upward, subtly alert.The man was tall, well-dressed, with a sharp chin and a sharper smile.

Mark Hall.Just as Victor had warned.

Celina stood but didn’t step forward. “I’m sorry, Mr. Mark. I already have a partner tonight.”

Mark turned his gaze toward Miles. His smile shifted from charm to mockery.

Miles rose slowly. Calm. Composed.

“Miles Sterling,” he said, extending a hand that Mark ignored, “Nice to meet you, Mark.”

Their eyes locked.Something unspoken passed between them—a spark of rivalry… and something colder.

Mark chuckled dryly. “Miss Celina… you’re kidding, right? You found a boy at the roadside and brought him to a charity gala?

”

Miles’s jaw tightened slightly, but his smirk didn’t waver.

Celina’s glare cut across the ballroom. “What do you mean, Mr. Mark? Are you trying to insult my guest?”

Mark shrugged. “I saw him, Miss Celina. At a bus stop, waiting like some broke student. Don’t try to fool us. He’s just a nobody.”

Celina folded her arms. “As I said, I already have a partner. And insulting him will come with consequences.”

Mark’s eyes narrowed. “Consequences? You’d threaten me—for this country bumpkin?”

A hush fell over the room.

The music stopped.Eyes turned.Glasses lowered.Even the dancers froze.

Celina slowly stood. Her heels clicking softly against the floor.

“What… did you just call him?”

Mark gestured dismissively. “Come on. You expect us to believe this guy has a place here? If not, tell me what he’s donated. Hmm? Probably snuck in with you. A freeloader.”

He laughed bitterly and added, “Sterling? Really? What Sterling family? That name died out decades ago, the fallen family”

People around started whispering louder now.Concerned murmurs. Curious stares. The room tense.

And then…

Miles stepped forward

“Fallen, you said”

He raised one hand behind his back and tapped something on his phone.

Celina noticed. A soft smile teased her lips.She’d seen that motion before.She knew something was coming.

A second later, the host on stage blinked at a notification on their screen. Cleared their throat.

“W-we have an update…“”A donation of Fifty Million Dollars…” the host stammered.”From the Sterling Family of Star Harbor.”

The words dropped like thunder.And the floor beneath Mark Hall’s smug expression seemed to vanish.

“What?” he muttered, spinning toward the stage.

The host nodded, dazed. “Yes… yes. Thank you, Mr. Sterling, for this historic donation. The largest in this event’s history.”

Miles gave a small nod. Calm as ever.

The ballroom exploded with hushed gasps and shifting stares.

“Did he say… fifty million?””Who the hell is he?””Sterling Family… they’re back?””Victor Wraithbourne’s daughter is with him?”

Celina remained poised, gently swirling her wine glass.

She looked at Mark with a raised brow. “Still think he’s from the roadside?”

Mark couldn’t speak. Couldn’t blink.Everything in the room had shifted in a single moment.

Celina turned to Miles, her eyes twinkling with mischief and admiration.

“I knew you’d drop something like this, eventually.”

Miles only smirked.

“What can I say…” he said casually, “he called my family fallen“

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