Chapter 353: Asset?
Sunday Morning.
The fresh morning breeze drifted across Pearl Villa as the last traces of the previous night’s rain glistened on the gardens.
Miles returned after finishing his morning workout.
A light layer of sweat covered his forehead, while a towel rested around his neck.
As he approached the main entrance, the sound of a car engine caught his attention.
He turned just in time to see a black sedan driving away through the front gate.
"Hm?"
Miles glanced toward the security post before walking over.
The guard immediately straightened his posture.
"Good morning, Boss."
Miles smiled.
"Good morning, Sid."
"How are you doing?"
Sid smiled confidently.
"All good, sir."
Miles nodded before looking toward the departing vehicle.
"Who was in that car?"
"Someone from Soul Tower, sir."
"He delivered a package for you."
"A package?"
"Yes, sir."
"We completed a full security inspection."
"It was scanned and checked thoroughly."
"Nothing harmful was found."
Miles chuckled.
"I don’t doubt you, Sid."
"So where is it now?"
"It was taken inside just now."
"I stayed behind to verify the driver’s identity for our records."
"Sorry it took a little longer."
Miles shook his head with a smile.
"It’s alright."
"You’re simply doing your job."
"Have a great day."
Sid bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Boss."
"You too."
He returned to his post while Miles continued toward the villa.
"So..."
"The mask already arrived."
"Happy really works fast."
A smile appeared on his face.
"I should thank him later."
The moment he stepped inside...
A tiny sleepy figure slowly walked toward him.
Hope rubbed one eye while dragging her feet across the floor.
"Big Bro..."
Miles immediately smiled.
"Morning, sleepyhead."
Hope looked around behind him.
"Where is Sister Chloe?"
Miles gently ruffled her messy hair.
"Today is Sunday."
"She had to go to the office early."
"So she already left."
Hope pouted.
"I didn’t even get to say goodbye."
Miles knelt slightly to match her height.
"How about we video call her this evening?"
Hope’s sleepy face immediately brightened.
"Okay."
Miles smiled.
"Deal."
Hope looked at him for another second before wrinkling her little nose.
"Big Bro."
"Yes?"
She pointed at him very seriously.
"Take a shower."
Miles blinked.
Then looked down at himself.
"...Oops."
He laughed awkwardly.
"Sorry."
Without another word...
He hurried upstairs.
In his rush...
He completely forgot about the package waiting inside.
...
Meanwhile...
At the Ainsley Family Residence.
The peaceful morning was interrupted by the ringing of the front doorbell.
Rose happily skipped toward the entrance before opening the door.
"You are..."
Her sentence stopped halfway.
Standing outside was an exhausted old man.
His expensive suit was wrinkled.
Dark circles surrounded his eyes.
His face looked pale.
The confidence he once carried had completely disappeared.
The man lowered his head.
"I..."
"I am Orville Miller."
Rose’s eyes widened.
She immediately turned toward the staircase.
"Dad!"
Footsteps echoed from upstairs.
Senior Ainsley calmly descended before stopping near the entrance.
"What is it, Rose?"
Then he noticed the visitor.
His expression instantly became cold.
"Rose."
"Go to your room."
Rose obediently nodded.
"Okay, Dad."
She disappeared upstairs.
Senior Ainsley looked directly at Orville.
"How dare you come to my house, Miller?"
Before another word could be spoken...
Orville suddenly dropped to both knees.
His entire body trembled.
"Mr. Ainsley..."
"I..."
"I came to apologize."
"Please forgive me."
Senior Ainsley froze.
For several long seconds...
He simply stared.
He could hardly believe his own eyes.
The arrogant businessman who had terrorized companies...
Was actually kneeling before him.
Orville lowered his head even farther.
"I was wrong."
"I apologize for everything."
"For every sin I committed against your family."
With trembling hands, he pulled out a thick folder.
"Please..."
"Take this."
"The vineyard..."
"It belongs to your family."
He carefully placed the folder on the ground.
Senior Ainsley slowly picked it up.
His eyes moved across the documents.
Page after page.
Official transfer papers.
Legal seals.
Ownership certificates.
Everything was complete.
The vineyard had been transferred back.
Without a single payment.
Before Senior Ainsley could even speak...
Orville hurriedly stood up.
"I have delivered everything."
"Please forgive me."
He turned and almost ran toward his waiting car.
Within seconds...
The vehicle disappeared down the road.
Senior Ainsley remained standing silently.
Still holding the documents.
"What on earth..."
"...is happening?"
A small head slowly peeked from behind the staircase.
Rose carefully walked back into the hallway.
"Did he leave?"
Senior Ainsley looked at her.
"Were you peeking?"
Rose immediately smiled awkwardly.
She scratched the back of her head.
"Dad..."
"I was only a little curious."
Then her eyes landed on the folder.
"It’s good news... right?"
Senior Ainsley looked back at the papers.
His voice remained filled with disbelief.
"They’re real."
"These are the official transfer documents."
"The vineyard is ours again."
Rose’s eyes sparkled.
"Miller gave it back..."
"For free."
Senior Ainsley slowly nodded.
"...Yes."
Just then...
Another car stopped outside.
The front door opened again.
Joshua hurried inside.
"Dad!"
"I heard Miller came here!"
Rose excitedly ran toward him.
"Brother!"
"Just like Miles promised."
"He gave everything back."
"He even knelt before Dad and apologized."
Joshua stopped walking.
"...Really?"
Senior Ainsley quietly lifted the documents.
"It’s all here."
Joshua slowly smiled.
"Miles..."
Senior Ainsley looked toward him.
"Miles?"
Rose answered proudly before Joshua could.
"The Chairman of Sterling Enterprises."
"Miles Sterling."
Senior Ainsley’s eyes widened slightly.
"You mean..."
"The same man who saved our city during the terrorist attack?"
Joshua nodded.
"Yes."
"Him."
"He’s an incredible man."
Senior Ainsley looked between his son and daughter.
"How do both of you know someone like him?"
Rose smiled proudly.
"He’s my friend."
"We were classmates at university."
Senior Ainsley’s eyebrows rose.
"What?"
"He’s your age?"
Joshua smiled helplessly.
"I could hardly believe it myself."
"He said..."
Before Joshua could finish...
Senior Ainsley looked toward Rose.
"Please."
"Call Mr. Sterling."
"I want to thank him personally."
Rose immediately nodded.
"Alright, Dad."
She pulled out her phone.
Found Miles’ contact.
And pressed the call button.
..
Monica walked into the living room holding Miles’ phone.
"Boss."
"Your phone is ringing."
Miles was sitting comfortably on the couch beside Daniel. The television was playing the morning news, although neither of them was paying much attention.
Miles looked up.
"Who is it?"
Monica glanced at the screen.
"Rose."
A faint smile appeared on Miles’ face.
"Just at the right time."
"Give me the phone."
Monica handed it over.
Miles answered immediately.
"Hello."
Rose’s cheerful voice came from the other side.
"Miles."
"Dad wants to talk to you."
"Sure."
A brief rustling sound followed before another voice replaced hers.
"Hello."
Miles smiled politely.
"Hello, Mr. Ainsley."
"Mr. Sterling..."
Miles interrupted with a gentle laugh.
"Please call me Miles."
"Rose calls my mother Aunt Elena."
"I don’t think we’re strangers."
Senior Ainsley smiled on the other end.
"How could I possibly do that?"
"I am truly grateful for everything you’ve done."
"I want to thank you properly."
"If you’re available..."
"Would you allow us to host you someday?"
Miles leaned comfortably against the sofa.
"You flatter me, Mr. Ainsley."
"Rose is one of the few friends I made during university."
"There is no need to thank me."
"But yes."
"We can certainly meet."
"A normal lunch sounds good."
Senior Ainsley brightened.
"Wonderful."
"I know one of the finest restaurants in Star Harbor."
"The Atelier."
"The food there is exceptional."
Rose immediately burst into laughter.
Miles couldn’t help laughing as well.
Senior Ainsley sounded confused.
"Mr. Sterling?"
Miles coughed lightly.
"Sorry."
"I’m just happy to hear that you enjoy Atelier so much."
"I..."
"I don’t quite understand."
Rose immediately explained.
"Dad."
"It’s Aunt Elena’s Restaurant"
"He owns it."
A brief silence followed.
"...Oh."
"I didn’t know."
Miles smiled warmly.
"My mother would be very happy to hear someone praise her restaurant."
"If you’d like, I can reserve a private table."
Senior Ainsley laughed.
"That wouldn’t be proper hospitality."
"If we invite you..."
"We should be the ones treating you."
"There is a farmhouse beside our vineyard."
"How about we share a few drinks there instead?"
Miles nodded.
"That sounds wonderful."
"I’ll gladly keep you company."
He smiled before adding,
"Would it be alright if I brought a few people with me?"
"Of course."
"The more the merrier."
"Then..."
"How about tomorrow evening?"
"Perfect."
"And..."
Senior Ainsley’s tone became slightly more serious.
"I know you’re an extraordinary young man."
"But..."
"May I ask something?"
"How exactly did Miller suddenly change his mind?"
Miles glanced toward the television.
"Oh."
"Just turn on the news."
"There is an exclusive breaking report."
"I think it’ll answer your question better than I can."
Senior Ainsley looked toward Rose.
"Alright."
Rose quickly searched for the remote.
Miles smiled.
"Then I’ll see all of you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Mr. Sterling."
The call ended.
...
The television switched to the news channel.
Every station was broadcasting the same breaking story.
The red banner stretched across the screen.
BREAKING NEWS
Chairman of Miller Corporation Arrested for Espionage
Everyone inside the Ainsley residence stared silently.
The reporter spoke with a serious expression.
"According to an official statement released by the Agency this morning..."
"Chairman Orville Miller has been arrested on charges of espionage and selling classified state information to foreign organizations."
"The Agency revealed that Miller had remained under surveillance for several months."
"He was reportedly caught during a coordinated intelligence operation."
"Authorities have begun sealing every domestic asset belonging to Miller Corporation."
"Further investigations remain ongoing."
Silence filled the room.
Joshua slowly lowered his phone.
"What..."
"What is happening?"
Senior Ainsley remained speechless.
"How can this be..."
Rose folded her arms.
"I knew there was something wrong with him."
"He always looked like a crooked man."
"So he really was a traitor."
Joshua nodded.
"He received exactly what he deserved."
Senior Ainsley immediately became serious again.
"Joshua."
"Arrange a board meeting."
"We need to speak with every shareholder."
"It’s time to rebuild our company."
Joshua smiled.
"Father."
"There won’t be any need."
Senior Ainsley looked puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
Joshua scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Sorry."
"I kept something from you."
"When everyone believed we were heading toward bankruptcy..."
"Most shareholders wanted to sell their shares immediately."
"They were practically giving them away."
Senior Ainsley’s expression darkened.
"What?"
"Those snakes..."
Joshua nodded.
"But don’t worry."
"Mr. Sterling saw the opportunity before anyone else."
"He told me to quietly buy every share myself."
Senior Ainsley froze.
"...What?"
Joshua smiled proudly.
"Right now..."
"Our family owns ninety five percent of the entire company."
"We only need to restart operations."
"Now that our vineyard has returned..."
"We’ll recover much faster than anyone expects."
Senior Ainsley slowly sat down.
He let out a long breath.
"What an incredible young man..."
"A genius."
He looked toward Rose.
"I never imagined your university friend would become someone like this."
Rose smiled proudly.
"Well..."
"I’m just happy I could help."
"It hurt seeing you so worried."
Senior Ainsley reached over and gently patted her shoulder.
"My daughter..."
"I’m proud of you."
Joshua smiled warmly.
"So am I."
Senior Ainsley suddenly became energetic again.
"Joshua."
"Prepare our finest wine for tomorrow."
Rose immediately coughed.
"Um..."
"Dad."
"He only agreed because he didn’t want to refuse your invitation."
Senior Ainsley blinked.
"What does that mean?"
Joshua laughed.
"He doesn’t drink."
"That’s probably why he asked if he could bring other people."
"So someone else can enjoy the wine instead."
Senior Ainsley burst into laughter.
"What an amazing young man."
"Even then..."
"We’ll still prepare our very best vintage."
Joshua nodded confidently.
"Of course."
...
Meanwhile...
Back at Pearl Villa.
The very same news continued playing across the television.
Monica looked toward Miles with curiosity.
"Boss."
"I thought the Agency was using Miller."
"So why arrest him now?"
Miles calmly picked up his cup of tea.
"It’s simple."
"I sent anonymous emails to every one of Miller’s important clients."
Monica blinked.
"You did what?"
Miles smiled.
"I informed them that Miller had been compromised."
"And that the Agency had been feeding him false intelligence."
Monica’s eyes widened.
"The Agency found out?"
Miles nodded.
"Once they realized their asset had been exposed..."
"He became useless."
"So they cleaned up their own loose end."
Monica couldn’t stop laughing.
"That’s unbelievable."
"They used him for years."
"And then arrested him themselves."
Miles took another sip of tea.
"That’s how intelligence organizations work."
Daniel quietly watched the television before smiling at his son.
"So..."
"Cleaning up the city again?"
Miles shook his head gently.
"It wasn’t anything extraordinary."
"Just a small moral duty."
Daniel looked at him with quiet pride.
"You always make difficult things sound simple."
Miles only smiled.