Chapter 435: Before time!!!
The private convoy moved through Citadel under a clear afternoon sky.
Inside one of the cars sat Daniel, Elena and Timothy.
In the vehicle behind them...
Miles sat beside Driver.
Hope and Asher occupied the seats with Chloe.
Miles looked outside.
Then suddenly leaned forward.
"Stop here."
The driver glanced through the mirror.
"Boss?"
"Just for a few minutes."
The convoy gradually slowed.
One vehicle after another stopped along the side of the road.
Chloe immediately looked toward Miles.
"Where are you going?"
Miles unfastened his seat belt.
"It’ll be quick."
She studied his face.
"Will you be alright?"
Miles looked toward her.
Then smiled gently.
"Yes."
"Just meeting an old friend."
Chloe understood immediately that it wasn’t the kind of meeting where someone would be waiting to greet him.
She didn’t ask more.
"Call me if you need me."
"I will."
Hope looked up.
"Big Bro..."
Miles turned.
"Are you sad?"
His expression softened.
"No."
Before Hope could say anything else, Asher replied confidently,
"Big Bro is strong."
Miles smiled.
He opened the door.
Then looked at the twins.
"Look after your sister-in-law for me."
Hope nodded seriously.
"Okay."
Asher immediately saluted.
"Roger."
Miles stepped out.
The moment the door closed...
Daniel had already exited the car ahead.
He walked toward him.
"Anything wrong?"
Miles shook his head.
"No."
He looked across the road.
"I’ll just pay a visit to a friend."
Daniel followed his gaze.
Then understood.
"It’ll be quick?"
"Yes."
Daniel nodded.
"Alright."
Miles crossed the road.
A dark vehicle that had been following the convoy stopped beside him.
One Sterling Security agent stepped out.
He carried a simple bouquet.
White flowers.
Nothing extravagant.
The agent handed it to Miles.
"Boss."
Miles accepted it.
"Thanks."
The agent returned to the car.
Miles turned.
Across the road stood the State Military Cemetery.
Rows of trees bordered the entrance.
Beyond the gates...
White stone markers stretched into the distance.
Chloe watched from inside the car as Miles entered alone.
Elena had also noticed.
She looked toward Timothy.
"Should Daniel go with him?"
Timothy slowly shook his head.
"No."
Elena looked toward Miles disappearing between the trees.
Timothy continued,
"He’s strong."
Then his voice softened.
"But even strong people need to be alone sometimes."
Elena remained quiet.
Timothy looked ahead.
"Let him have a few minutes."
...
The cemetery was peaceful.
Almost unnaturally so.
The sounds of Citadel slowly disappeared the deeper Miles walked.
Only the breeze remained.
Leaves shifted above him.
Several dried ones separated from their branches and drifted gently toward the ground.
Miles continued walking.
Rows of graves passed beside him.
Names.
Ranks.
Dates.
Men and women who had worn the uniform.
Some had died in battle.
Some in accidents.
Some in operations the public would probably never know about.
Miles looked from one marker to another.
Then turned down another path.
His steps slowed.
Finally...
He stopped.
Lt. ADAM REEVES
The inscription beneath the name was simple.
A soldier.
A protector.
Miles stood several feet away.
He said nothing.
The flowers remained in his hand.
For a long time...
He only looked.
The last conversation returned naturally.
Adam laughing.
Miles closed his eyes.
The wind moved through the trees.
When he opened them again...
His voice was quiet.
"It feels like yesterday."
He looked at the name carved into the stone.
"When we first met..."
A faint smile touched his face.
"You were loud."
"Brave."
"Happy."
"Celebrating after a mission."
"Drinking with everyone."
Miles slowly exhaled.
"You really enjoyed drinking with your comrades."
The smile disappeared.
"You didn’t deserve this, Adam."
Silence answered.
Miles lowered his gaze.
"Knowing you..."
"You’d probably be angry if you knew I blamed myself."
His fingers tightened around the flowers.
"You’d tell me I was being stupid."
He closed his eyes again.
"But..."
His voice weakened slightly.
"I can’t help it."
Miles swallowed.
"Why did I ask you to investigate?"
"If I didn’t..."
He stopped.
That thought had replayed too many times already.
"If I hadn’t involved you..."
"You’d probably still be alive."
"Complaining."
"Celebrating."
"Drinking."
Miles stared at the grave.
"Annoying me."
A painful smile appeared.
Then disappeared just as quickly.
"No one should leave before their time, Adam."
His voice became firmer.
"No one."
Miles looked toward the rows of graves surrounding him.
Too many names.
Too many lives cut short.
"I wish this never happened."
The silence stretched again.
Finally...
Miles stepped forward.
He crouched.
Then carefully placed the flowers against the grave.
His hand rested there for a moment.
"I promise."
His eyes hardened.
"I’ll finish what you started."
Miles slowly stood.
"Whoever did this to you..."
"Everyone involved..."
His voice became colder with every word.
"I’ll find them."
"One by one."
"And I’ll destroy everything they built."
The softness disappeared completely from his face.
"They wanted Ghost involved."
A faint smile formed.
Not a pleasant one.
"They’re going to get him."
Miles looked at Adam’s name.
"They’ll see the wrath of Ghost."
"The anger of your friend."
He took one final breath.
Then said quietly,
"Rest in peace..."
A pause.
"...Uncle."
Miles remained there.
Standing.
Watching the grave.
Then footsteps approached from behind.
He didn’t turn.
"What’s the status?"
Reina stopped a few feet away.
"I followed him."
Miles’ eyes remained on the grave.
"Then?"
"He went straight to his apartment after leaving the ceremony."
Miles finally turned slightly.
"He locked himself inside?"
"Yes."
Reina’s expression became more serious.
"But there’s something else."
Miles looked toward her.
"I wasn’t the only one following him."
His eyes sharpened.
"Just like last time..."
He slowly turned fully toward her.
"The Lieutenant Colonel is about to get replaced."
Reina nodded.
"That was my thought too."
Miles asked,
"Did you see the face?"
"Yes."
"Recognize him?"
"No."
Reina crossed her arms.
"He’s not military."
"Not intelligence."
"Not anyone important."
Miles waited.
"Local street thief."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Certain?"
"I checked quickly."
"Petty robbery."
"Burglary."
"A few arrests."
"Nothing sophisticated."
Miles became thoughtful.
"So someone hired disposable hands."
"Most likely."
Reina continued,
"He’s still nearby."
"Watching the apartment."
"Hasn’t moved."
Miles looked toward the distant trees.
"Waiting for nightfall."
"That’s what it looks like."
His expression slowly changed.
"Good."
Reina watched him.
Miles continued,
"Do not alert him."
"Don’t touch him."
"Don’t let Vane know we’re there either."
Reina nodded.
Miles’ voice became calm again.
"Vane is scared."
"He’ll not move."
"But tonight..."
His eyes narrowed.
"...he’ll lead us to someone."
Reina smiled faintly.
"To the clear?"
Miles nodded.
"Tonight."
"Understood."
She was about to leave.
Then stopped.
"Leader."
Miles looked at her.
"You alright?"
For a second...
His face didn’t change.
Then Miles smiled.
It wasn’t an easy smile.
It wasn’t warm.
And Reina knew it well enough to recognize what sat underneath it.
Rage.
Bloodlust.
Control barely covering something much darker.
Miles looked toward Adam’s grave once more.
"You just made me alright, Reina."
She held his gaze.
Then nodded.
"I’ll keep you updated."
"Good."
Reina turned and left.
Miles remained for another moment.
Then slowly adjusted his suit.
Straightened his collar.
Fixed his cuffs.
He took one breath.
Then another.
By the time he turned away from the grave...
The darkness in his expression was gone.
Hidden again.
Miles Sterling returned.
He walked toward the cemetery entrance.
...
Chloe saw him coming first.
The car door opened before he reached it.
Miles entered.
Chloe looked directly at him.
"You good?"
Miles met her eyes.
"Yes."
She watched him for another second.
Then nodded.
Miles leaned back.
"Let’s go."
The driver started the engine.
One by one...
The convoy moved again.
Toward Sterling Estate.
...
Late afternoon.
The tall gates of the Sterling Estate opened.
The convoy entered.
Timothy had been talking quietly with Daniel only moments earlier.
Then he saw the grounds.
And stopped.
His head slowly turned toward the window.
Long driveways.
Old trees.
Stone structures.
Carefully maintained gardens.
Large ancestral buildings standing throughout the estate.
Some modernized.
Others preserved almost exactly as they had been decades earlier.
Timothy kept looking.
Elena noticed.
"Father?"
No response.
She smiled faintly.
"Father?"
Timothy finally spoke.
"This place..."
His eyes moved across the grounds.
"...hasn’t changed."
Elena looked outside.
"It’s been maintained well, then."
Daniel leaned toward the window.
"Woah."
The estate seemed to continue endlessly.
"So this is where the Sterling family lives."
He looked toward another mansion in the distance.
"This place is huge."
Timothy smiled faintly.
"Big places don’t always mean there’s a place for you."
Daniel looked toward him.
Timothy continued,
"What matters is a big heart."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"You’re right."
He looked outside again.
"It’s very quiet."
Timothy smiled sadly.
"Money can buy almost anything."
"Land."
"Houses."
"Cars."
"Staff."
"Luxury."
His gaze became distant.
"But if you place money above the happiness of the people you love..."
He shook his head.
"...you end up with houses."
"Not homes."
Elena listened quietly.
"My father never understood that."
Timothy looked toward the buildings he had known as a child.
"But perhaps..."
"That also taught the rest of us something."
Elena smiled.
"Are you actually happy to be here?"
Timothy thought for a moment.
"Yes."
Then he laughed softly.
"I would’ve been happier if my father had invited me back."
His expression became peaceful.
"But it’s too late for that."
No bitterness.
Only acceptance.
"Now I’m the elder."
He looked toward another branch of the estate.
"So it’s my responsibility to meet my people."
"See how they’re living."
"See whether they’re happy."
Timothy smiled faintly.
"And judging by the old rules Miles abolished..."
"I think the younger Sterlings will have a much happier life than we did."
Elena looked toward him.
"That’s good."
Timothy nodded.
"Very good."
...
The vehicles eventually stopped before one of the largest mansions on the estate.
The old Sterling residence.
The home that had once belonged to Timothy’s father.
Before the driver could even open the door...
Gordon was already outside.
He hurried toward his brother’s vehicle.
The door opened.
Gordon immediately extended his hand.
"Slowly."
Timothy stared at him.
"Gordon."
"I can walk now."
Gordon ignored him and still offered support.
Timothy sighed.
Then accepted it anyway.
The moment he stepped out...
𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Gordon smiled.
"Welcome home, Brother."
Timothy looked toward the mansion.
Home.
The word carried strange weight.
Then another voice came.
"Uncle Tim!"
David approached from behind Gordon.
Birdie followed.
David looked Timothy up and down.
Then grinned.
"You look young."
Birdie nodded enthusiastically.
"Definitely."
Timothy narrowed his eyes.
"Are you two being sarcastic with your uncle?"
Elena stepped out behind him.
She laughed.
"What happened to you always calling yourself young?"
Daniel chuckled.
Gordon did too.
Timothy looked betrayed.
"So everyone’s against me now?"
David smiled.
"Welcome back."
He looked around.
"Where are the kids?"
A voice immediately shouted from the other vehicle.
"We’re here!"
Asher appeared first.
Hope followed.
"Here!"
Both children came toward them.
Chloe walked between them, holding one small hand on each side.
Birdie’s expression immediately brightened.
"Oh, look at you two."
She opened her arms.
"Come here."
Hope and Asher looked excited.
"Aunty bought so many snacks and sweets for you."
Asher’s eyes became huge.
"Really?"
Hope smiled politely.
"Thank you, Aunt Birdie."
Birdie hugged them both.
Chloe approached.
"Hello, Aunt."
Birdie immediately smiled toward her.
"Chloe."
She looked her over.
"Look at you."
"Looking so pretty."
Chloe smiled.
"Thank you."
Then another voice came from behind.
"Hello, everyone."
David turned.
Miles had finally joined them.
David’s expression brightened.
"Woah."
He walked toward him.
"The man of the day."
Miles laughed.
David lightly hit his shoulder.
"How was it?"
"Receiving a medal directly from the President?"
Miles shrugged.
"Heavy."
David stared.
"That’s your answer?"
Elena immediately interrupted.
"We’re very proud of him."
She smiled.
"The President’s family praised him so much."
Miles sighed.
"Mom."
Gordon smiled.
"That’s definitely something worth being proud of."
Birdie nodded.
"Absolutely."
Then she looked toward everyone.
"Can we please go inside?"
She pointed toward the mansion.
"You’ve come for one night..."
"...and we’re still standing outside."
Everyone laughed.
Timothy looked toward the entrance.
Then started walking.
This time...
Nobody tried to help him.
...
Night.
Sterling Estate had become lively.
Word of Timothy’s arrival had spread through the family almost immediately.
Relatives who lived elsewhere in Citadel had begun arriving.
Some older members who hadn’t seen Timothy in decades came personally.
Younger family members came simply because they had heard stories about the eldest Sterling their entire lives.
The large residence, usually quiet, was full of voices.
Timothy moved between rooms.
Meeting people.
Listening.
Asking about families.
Children.
Businesses.
Lives.
Elena remained near him with Danile for much of the evening.
Hope and Asher had disappeared into a group of cousins after being introduced.
Chloe was with Birdie and several women from the family.
Miles...
Had quietly escaped outside.
...
He sat beneath the open sky.
A chair had been placed near one of the gardens behind the mansion.
The estate lights remained distant enough that the stars could still be seen clearly.
Miles leaned back.
For the first time since morning...
Peace.
Then footsteps approached.
"There you are, Brother."
Miles smiled without turning.
"Silvey."
Silvey Sterling walked toward him.
"What are you doing here alone?"
"Relaxing."
Miles gestured toward the chair beside him.
"Sit."
Silvey did.
Miles looked toward her.
"How are you doing?"
"Great."
She smiled.
"Everything’s smooth."
Then added,
"Thanks to you."
Miles immediately shook his head.
"You give me too much credit."
Silvey looked toward him.
"I mean it."
"I know."
Miles leaned back.
"But I’m pretty sure you’re working harder than me."
She laughed.
Miles continued,
"That’s the reason I wanted you to run ACE Group."
"You deserved it."
Silvey looked toward the garden.
Miles smiled.
"I see you in the news nowadays."
Her face immediately changed.
"Oh."
Miles noticed.
"What?"
Silvey looked amused.
"Did you see that thread?"
"What thread?"
"On social media."
Miles frowned.
"What are people doing now?"
Silvey pulled out her phone.
"There are theories."
"Theories about what?"
"They’re connecting us."
Miles stared.
"Connecting us?"
"Wait."
She tapped through several screens.
Then handed him the phone.
"Here."
Miles read the headline.
THE NEW CEO OF ACE GROUP: SILVEY STERLING. HOW IS SHE CONNECTED TO MILES STERLING OF STAR HARBOR?
Miles stared.
Then scrolled.
One post had tried building an entire family tree.
Another had compared corporate registrations.
Someone had found old Sterling family business records.
Another user had written a lengthy theory explaining how Star Harbor’s Sterling Enterprises and ACE Group might secretly be part of the same financial network.
Miles looked at Silvey.
"Damn."
She laughed.
He continued scrolling.
"These people are crazy."
"Internet detectives."
Silvey nodded.
"I keep getting questions like that."
"Interviews too."
"People ask whether we’re related."
Miles gave her the phone back.
"I don’t think it’s exactly a secret in corporate circles that the Sterling family owns ACE Group."
Silvey nodded.
"It isn’t."
"Anyone who owns big businesses probably knows."
Miles added,
"But regular people didn’t really know."
"Apparently they do now."
Silvey smiled.
"Some of them."
Then she leaned back.
"Will you ever reveal it?"
Miles looked toward her.
"Reveal what?"
"That Miles Sterling also owns major stakes in ACE Group."
His response came instantly.
"No."
Silvey laughed.
"Why not?"
"Come on."
Miles looked at her.
"You know the answer."
"I do."
She smiled.
"But I still want to hear you say it."
Miles sighed.
"Fine."
He looked toward the stars.
"It’s simple."
"I didn’t create ACE Group."
Silvey interrupted,
"But you saved it."
Miles looked at her.
"And you earned your stake from the family."
"Yes."
He nodded.
"I did."
"But then what?"
Silvey remained quiet.
Miles continued,
"What happens after people know?"
"More interviews for you."
"More headlines."
"More people watching everything I do."
He smiled faintly.
"I want peace."
Silvey studied him.
Miles continued,
"I already have Sterling Enterprises."
"Reaper."
"Businesses in Star Harbor."
"Enough responsibilities to last several lifetimes."
He shook his head.
"I don’t do any of it for money anymore."
Silvey looked amused.
"Says the billionaire."
Miles stared.
"That’s exactly why I can say it."
She laughed.
Miles continued,
"If ACE is doing well..."
"That’s enough for me."
Silvey nodded slowly.
Then said,
"You should at least draw a salary from ACE Group."
Miles turned toward her.
"What?"
"Salary."
"No."
"You should be paid."
Miles narrowed his eyes.
Silvey tried to maintain a serious expression.
Miles stared at her for several seconds.
Then smiled.
"Tell me something, Silvey."
"What?"
"You want my help with something, don’t you?"