Chapter 386: Teaming up Against me!!
The early morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting soft golden lines across the room.
Miles slowly opened his eyes.
For a few moments, he simply stared at the ceiling.
A peaceful silence surrounded him.
A small smile appeared on his face.
An arm rested across his chest.
His wife’s arm.
Miles slowly turned his head.
Chloe was sleeping peacefully beside him.
A few strands of hair had fallen over her face during the night.
Carefully, he brushed them aside.
His fingers moved gently through her soft hair.
"It’s like a sweet dream after a long time," he whispered.
His eyes softened.
"I never imagined I would fall in love."
He looked at her sleeping face.
"Or get married one day."
His thoughts drifted through the events of the year.
The reunion with his mother.
Finding his family.
Meeting Chloe.
The wedding.
His grandfather waking up.
Everything had happened so quickly.
"This year was full of twists and turns."
A faint chuckle escaped him.
"Now I just want to stay with you... and my family."
He leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead.
The moment his lips touched her skin, Chloe moved.
Her arm tightened around him.
Then both of her hands wrapped around his waist.
"You are already up?" she mumbled sleepily.
"What time is it?"
Slowly opening her eyes, she found Miles’ face only inches away from hers.
For a second they simply looked at each other.
Then Chloe suddenly laughed.
"Your hair is messy."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Who do you think did that?"
Chloe blinked.
Then she glanced at the tangled state of his hair.
A guilty expression appeared on her face.
"I didn’t realize."
She stretched her arms high above her head and yawned.
Miles sat up on the bed.
The blankets shifted around him.
Chloe watched him carefully.
"You are going somewhere?"
"Just my daily workout."
Her gaze traveled across his shoulders and chest.
The scars that covered his body were clearly visible in the morning light.
For a moment she remained silent.
Then she gently touched one of them.
Miles looked down.
"Ugly, aren’t they?"
Chloe immediately shook her head.
"No."
Her fingers traced another scar.
"How can they be ugly?"
Miles quietly listened.
"They are proof of your pain."
Her voice was gentle.
"Your struggles."
Another scar.
"Your survival."
Another.
"They are medals you earned."
She smiled softly.
"Stories of your strength."
Miles stared at her for a few seconds.
Then he chuckled.
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
"Why are you laughing? I mean it."
"Nothing."
His smile widened.
"You are not shy anymore."
Chloe immediately grabbed a pillow and hit him.
"I am your wife."
Miles laughed.
"Fair point."
The newly married woman crossed her arms proudly.
"Exactly."
Miles stood up.
"Come outside with me?"
"Me?"
She immediately pulled the blanket higher.
"No."
Miles laughed.
"You don’t even need to think about it."
"I absolutely don’t."
She buried half her face in the pillow.
"It is way too early."
"Then sleep more."
Chloe shook her head.
"No."
Miles looked confused.
"You just said no."
"I mean I won’t sleep."
She sat up.
"I need to unpack my bags."
"Already?"
"Of course."
She pointed toward several suitcases arranged near the wall.
"I have clothes."
She pointed at the closet.
"That need to go there."
Miles laughed.
"You are already making yourself at home."
Chloe smiled.
"Mom made sure I felt at home."
Her expression softened.
"She even arranged space for everything."
Miles nodded.
"Mom was excited."
"Very excited."
They both laughed.
"Go do your workout," Chloe said.
"I will arrange everything."
"Okay."
Miles leaned down and kissed her forehead again.
"I’ll be back."
"Take your time."
A few minutes later, Miles walked downstairs dressed in sportswear and running shoes.
The villa was unusually quiet.
Most of the guests were still asleep after the wedding celebrations.
As he stepped into the living room, he stopped.
Two familiar figures were waiting.
Gordon sat comfortably on a couch.
Beside him was Timothy in a wheelchair.
The older man looked surprisingly energetic.
Miles smiled.
"Grandpas. What’s up?"
Gordon looked at him.
"You took your time."
"I thought you wouldn’t come today."
Miles laughed.
"Why?"
Gordon smirked.
"Newly married."
Timothy chuckled.
"Leave the boy alone."
Miles shook his head.
"You two started early."
Timothy pointed toward the door.
"Let’s go."
Miles blinked.
"You sure?"
"Nurse Maya is joining us."
Almost on cue, Maya appeared from the hallway carrying a water bottle.
"Good morning, Boss."
Miles smiled.
"Good morning."
Maya pointed at Timothy.
"I lost the argument."
Timothy looked pleased.
"I won."
Miles laughed.
"Alright."
"Let’s go."
Soon they stepped outside.
The cool morning air greeted them.
Birds sang among the trees.
The sky was painted with gentle shades of blue and gold.
Together they headed toward the maple forest beside Pearl Villa.
The path wound through tall trees whose leaves danced softly in the breeze.
Sunlight filtered through the branches above.
The peaceful atmosphere felt completely different from the chaos that had once defined Miles’ life.
After reaching a clearing, Miles began his workout.
Running.
Stretching.
Exercises.
The familiar routine returned naturally.
Meanwhile, Gordon slowly pushed Timothy’s wheelchair along the forest trail.
Maya followed behind them.
Timothy looked around quietly.
His eyes absorbed everything.
The trees.
The fresh air.
"This place is good."
Gordon nodded.
"It is."
Timothy smiled.
"I want to see the city too."
His expression turned thoughtful.
"I don’t know how much has changed."
Gordon let out a long breath.
"It has changed a lot."
Timothy looked at him.
"Tell me."
Gordon smiled.
"Back then it was mostly a port city."
"The ports were managed by foreign companies."
"Businesses came and went."
"But when you arrived..."
His voice carried admiration.
"You changed everything."
Timothy remained silent.
"You gave people opportunities."
"You created jobs."
"You made investors believe in Star Harbor."
Gordon gestured toward the city in the distance.
"And now look at it."
Timothy followed his gaze.
"The city is thriving."
"This year alone more than a hundred companies opened offices here."
Timothy looked surprised.
"Really?"
Gordon nodded.
"Big companies too."
"Like Reaper Group."
Timothy frowned.
"Reaper Group?"
He shook his head.
"Never heard of it."
Gordon laughed.
"That’s because it isn’t old."
"But it became powerful very quickly."
Timothy remained thoughtful.
"Luckily we don’t operate in the same industries."
A strange smile appeared on his face.
"Is it really luck, I wonder."
Gordon glanced at him.
Timothy chuckled.
"Our time is over."
"So who runs ACE Group now?"
"Do any of our cousins have grandsons?"
Gordon burst out laughing.
"You really have no idea."
Timothy raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Miles owns the majority shares."
Timothy blinked.
"What?"
"He rarely interferes."
"He changed many of the old rules."
Timothy listened carefully.
"No forced business marriages."
"No secret power games."
"And Silvey currently manages most of the operations."
Timothy slowly leaned back.
A smile spread across his face.
"Looks like my grandson accomplished something."
His eyes softened.
"Something we never could."
After a moment he spoke again.
"I met Nora’s son."
"Calum."
Gordon nodded.
"Things have changed."
Timothy sighed.
"She was always close to me."
The old man stared into the distance.
"The rest of us never really gave her enough time."
"And then she got married."
Gordon looked slightly guilty.
"Maybe she hates the rest of the family in Citadel City."
Timothy shook his head.
"No."
A gentle smile appeared.
"Maybe she simply doesn’t think about it anymore."
"She is still our sister."
He looked at Gordon.
"You never tried reaching out either, did you?"
Gordon rubbed the back of his neck.
"No."
Timothy sighed.
"Maybe talk to her sometimes."
After a long silence, Gordon nodded.
"I will."
"Brother."
At that moment footsteps approached.
Miles returned from his run.
Not even slightly out of breath.
Maya stared at him in disbelief.
"Boss."
"I can’t keep up."
Miles laughed.
"Yoga is not enough, Nurse Maya."
Maya pointed at him accusingly.
"I surrender."
"I’ll stick to yoga."
Timothy chuckled.
"Why are you troubling her, child?"
Miles immediately defended himself.
"Grandpa."
"She insisted."
Maya rolled her eyes.
"Sure."
The group laughed together.
Miles walked beside Timothy.
"Enjoying the view, Grandpa?"
Timothy looked around.
The forest stretched endlessly around them.
Golden sunlight filtered through the leaves.
Birds occasionally crossed the sky.
"It is perfect."
His eyes softened.
"In my time we never had property like this."
A nostalgic look appeared on his face.
"I wonder what happened to our old home."
Miles thought for a moment.
"The old home?"
"The one where Mom and I stayed for some time still exists."
"April lives there now."
Timothy shook his head.
"No."
"Not that one."
"The older mansion."
Miles nodded thoughtfully.
"I’ll check."
Timothy waved his hand dismissively.
"It isn’t important."
Miles smiled.
"It is important if you’re curious."
The old man looked at him.
His eyes filled with warmth.
Miles had grown into a capable man.
Strong.
Reliable.
Kind.
Looking at him now, Timothy felt a deep sense of peace.
The morning breeze gently moved through the maple trees as three generations of the Sterling family stood together beneath the golden sunlight, enjoying a simple walk through the forest.
....
The morning moved peacefully after breakfast.
The excitement and noise of the wedding had finally settled.
One by one, guests began preparing to leave.
Chase and his friends were the first to head out.
The driveway outside Pearl Villa was filled with laughter, handshakes, and promises to meet again soon.
"Don’t forget us after becoming a married man," Chase said dramatically while carrying his luggage.
Miles rolled his eyes.
"You are not disappearing forever."
Cole laughed.
Chase pointed at Miles.
"Just don’t spend all your time being romantic and forget your little cousin."
Everyone laughed.
After saying their goodbyes, the group finally left.
Not long after that, Daniel took Hope and Asher to school.
The twins looked reluctant to leave.
"Big brother, don’t touch our snacks."
"We counted them, they are for my sister in law."
Miles raised his hand.
"I won’t."
"You promised."
"I promised."
Only then did they finally leave with Daniel.
The villa gradually became quieter.
Upstairs, Miles and Chloe were busy unpacking the boxes that had just arrived from Chloe’s apartment.
The room looked like a battlefield.
Boxes.
Clothes.
Books.
Art supplies.
Electronic devices.
Cables.
Tablets.
Hard drives.
Laptops.
Everything was spread around the room.
Miles picked up another sleek white device and examined it.
"Your work stuff is endless."
Chloe laughed while arranging items on a shelf.
"It is not endless."
"It feels endless."
Miles looked at another box.
"And why are there more?"
"Because I use them."
"What even is this?"
"My backup workstation."
"You have a backup workstation?"
"Of course."
Miles stared at her.
"You really are the geeky type."
Chloe immediately pointed at him.
"Animation design requires powerful hardware."
"I know."
"You said it like it was a crime."
Miles laughed.
"I am impressed."
He looked around again.
Almost everything was white.
The dismantled desk.
The keyboard.
The headphones.
The monitor frames.
Even the storage containers.
"Why is everything white?"
Chloe smiled.
"I like white."
"That simple?"
"That simple."
Miles nodded seriously.
"Fair enough."
He placed another device on the desk.
"You know, looking at all this, maybe we should convert the spare room beside ours into a workspace."
Chloe paused.
"A workspace?"
"Yes."
Miles gestured toward the mountain of equipment.
"We can share it."
Chloe’s eyes brightened.
"Actually, that’s a really good idea."
"See?"
"Then sister Monica can use it too."
Miles immediately nodded.
"Definitely."
"She works more than anyone."
"Unfortunately, that’s true."
Chloe smiled.
"I’ll handle the design."
"Perfect."
"You trust me?"
"Completely."
Chloe looked pleased.
"I’ll make it look amazing."
"I expected nothing less."
Miles stretched.
"Ask Mom for suggestions too if you want."
"I will."
"Whatever you need, someone can bring it."
Chloe nodded.
Then Miles casually added,
"I’ll ask Monica to get you one of my credit cards."
Chloe blinked.
"Really?"
"Of course."
"I don’t really need it."
She pointed at herself.
"I own a company too, you know."
"I know."
"Then why?"
Miles shrugged.
"Because you’re my wife."
Chloe looked amused.
"That isn’t a financial explanation."
"It is."
"No, it isn’t."
Miles laughed.
"Fine. Save your money and spend your husband’s money."
Chloe stared.
"You are serious?"
"Very serious."
"And if I spend a lot?"
"Then spend a lot."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"What kind of card is it?"
Miles answered casually.
"No limit."
Silence.
Chloe blinked twice.
"No limit?"
"Yep."
"Actually no limit?"
"Yes."
Chloe slowly folded her arms.
"That sounds dangerous."
Miles grinned.
"For me?"
"For you."
He laughed.
"If you want it, it’s yours."
Chloe shook her head.
"You know most people would protect their money."
"Most people aren’t married to you."
Her expression softened.
For a moment she simply looked at him.
Then she smiled.
"I don’t really care about money."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Really."
She stepped closer.
"Even if you asked me to live in a tiny apartment with you, I would."
Miles looked at her.
"I don’t think Mom would allow that."
Chloe laughed.
"That’s not the point."
"I know."
Her voice became softer.
"I have everything I want."
Miles smiled.
Before he could answer, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Ahem."
Both immediately turned.
Elena stood at the doorway with a knowing smile.
Miles nearly jumped.
"Mom."
Elena walked inside.
"No one is living in a shabby apartment."
Chloe immediately started laughing.
Miles rubbed his forehead.
Chloe looked innocent.
"We were just talking."
"Clearly."
Miles sighed.
"Nothing was happening."
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"I didn’t say anything was happening."
Chloe laughed even harder.
Miles realized he had trapped himself.
"Mom."
Elena ignored him.
She walked toward Chloe.
Elena smiled.
"Take all his money."
Miles looked horrified.
"Mom."
Elena continued calmly.
"It is very fun spending your husband’s money."
Chloe looked delighted.
"Really?"
"Oh yes."
Miles placed a hand over his face.
"This is becoming dangerous."
Chloe nodded seriously.
"I think Mom is giving excellent advice."
Elena immediately agreed.
"She is a smart girl."
Miles pointed between them.
"When did this alliance happen?"
"Just now."
"Mom."
"Too late."
Both women laughed.
Chloe crossed her arms proudly.
"Now I definitely have to spend your money."
Miles sighed dramatically.
Elena laughed.
"I am proud of you, son."
Miles looked confused.
"For what?"
"For getting married."
Then she looked toward Chloe.
"And for bringing such a lovely daughter home."
Chloe smiled warmly.
Elena continued.
"My friends are going to be jealous."
Miles nearly choked.
"You are the mother of the Chairman of Sterling Enterprises."
"And?"
"That’s what they should be jealous about."
Chloe immediately looked at him.
"Hey."
Miles froze.
"Oops."
"You mean I am less impressive?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"No offense."
"Too late."
Elena laughed so hard she had to hold the edge of the bed.
"My poor son."
Miles shook his head.
"I walked into that one."
"You absolutely did."
The room filled with laughter again.
Eventually Elena looked around the room.
"How is the unpacking going?"
"Pretty good," Chloe answered.
"Everything fitting?"
"If not," Elena said casually, "we can remove more of Miles’ things."
"Mom."
Chloe burst out laughing.
"Don’t worry."
She pointed toward the spare room.
"We decided to turn the next room into a workspace."
Elena’s eyes lit up.
"That’s a wonderful idea."
"Right?"
"We can put all the work equipment there."
Elena nodded enthusiastically.
"Let’s do that."
Then her eyes landed on a shelf.
She frowned.
"Who keeps towels there?"
Both Miles and Chloe looked over.
Then looked at each other.
Neither had an answer.
Elena sighed.
"Move aside."
"Mom..."
"I understand now."
She rolled up her sleeves.
"This room needs supervision."
Chloe giggled.
"Mona is looking for you downstairs by the way."
Miles immediately stood up.
"I’ll go."
He practically escaped the room.
Chloe watched him disappear.
"He ran away."
Elena smiled knowingly.
"Very fast too."
The two women shared a laugh.
Miles’ footsteps quickly faded down the hallway.
The room suddenly became quieter.
Chloe looked at Elena.
Then, without warning, stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her.
Elena froze.
Completely surprised.
For a second she simply stood there.
Then her expression softened.
A gentle warmth filled her eyes.
Slowly, she placed a hand on Chloe’s head and patted it affectionately.
"Thank you, Mom."
Elena smiled.
The smile carried years of happiness, relief, and gratitude.
She gently hugged Chloe back.
"Welcome home, dear."