Chapter 396: Dia Mason!!
Chloe sat near the edge of the bed with her phone against her ear.
"What? Already missing me, Lissy?"
She smiled.
"Didn’t we meet on Friday at the office?"
Alice immediately complained from the other side.
"Let’s hang out tonight. It’s Sunday."
Chloe raised an eyebrow.
"Weren’t you going to meet your aunt?"
Silence.
Then Alice gasped.
"Oh."
Chloe laughed.
Alice continued hurriedly.
"I totally forgot."
"You forgot your aunt?"
"She has been inviting me for so long since coming to Star Harbor."
Alice sounded panicked now.
"My dad will definitely scold me if I don’t visit her today."
Chloe shook her head.
"Serves you right."
"Don’t say that."
Alice immediately changed her tone.
"My dear Chloe."
Chloe became suspicious.
"What?"
"Suggest me a souvenir."
Chloe laughed.
"Calm down."
She thought for a moment.
"Get a bottle of wine or something."
"Hmm."
Alice seemed satisfied.
"Okay."
Then dramatically,
"Thank you. You are a lifesaver."
Chloe chuckled.
"Say hello to her from my side."
"Of course."
"And tell her I’ll visit her someday too."
"Okay."
Alice’s voice became cheerful again.
"Bye bye. Take care."
"Bye."
The call ended.
Chloe lowered the phone and shook her head.
"This girl..."
Miles, who was standing nearby, looked over.
"Anything wrong?"
"Nah."
Chloe placed her phone down.
"I forgot to tell you."
"Hmm?"
"Lissy’s aunt lives here in Star Harbor."
Miles looked mildly surprised.
"Really?"
Chloe nodded.
"She’s very sweet."
Her expression became nostalgic.
"I met her during my school days."
Miles leaned against the nearby table.
"That’s surprising."
Then he looked at her.
"So do you want to go see her?"
Chloe shook her head.
"Maybe someday."
She stretched lazily.
"Today I want to stay home."
Miles smiled.
"Finally."
Chloe looked toward him.
"Mom is teaching me some recipes today."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Which recipes?"
She gave him a knowing smile.
"Your favorites."
Miles immediately looked suspicious.
"Why are you so interested in learning cooking?"
Chloe crossed her arms.
"What do you know?"
"I know enough."
"I like learning new things."
Miles laughed.
"Okay, okay."
Before he could tease her further, his phone buzzed.
Miles glanced at the screen.
His expression changed slightly.
"Why is villa security calling?"
Chloe looked over.
"Something wrong?"
"Let’s see."
Miles accepted the call.
"What happened?"
A security officer answered immediately.
"Boss, a lady is outside the gate."
Miles frowned.
"Who?"
"She says she wants to meet Mr. Timothy."
Miles’ expression changed.
"For Grandpa?"
"Yes, Boss."
Miles stood straighter.
"Did you run facial recognition?"
"Yes. We just got a match."
A notification appeared on Miles’ phone.
"Sent it to you."
Miles opened the file.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Then recognition appeared.
"Her?"
He looked at the image for another second.
"Let her in."
"Copy that."
The call ended.
Miles slipped the phone into his pocket.
Chloe immediately asked,
"What’s wrong?"
Miles looked toward the door.
"Grandpa has a guest."
"Oh?"
"Yeah."
He started walking.
"You stay here. I’ll see who it is."
Chloe nodded.
"Okay."
...
Outside Pearl Villa, the main security gates slowly opened.
A dark luxury car entered.
It followed the long driveway through the landscaped grounds before stopping near the main lawn.
Miles had already reached the entrance.
One of the villa’s security agents approached the vehicle and opened the rear door.
A woman stepped outside.
She appeared to be in her early forties.
Elegant.
Composed.
Her features carried a distinctly foreign influence, though there was something about her presence that suggested she had spent enough time in Star Harbor to belong here.
She looked around at the security.
Then toward Miles.
A faint smile appeared.
"Looks like I’m considered a threat here."
Miles returned a small smile.
"Are you joking, Miss Mason?"
Her expression changed slightly.
Miles continued.
"It’s not every day someone appears asking to meet my grandfather immediately after he is back in Star Harbor."
The woman studied him.
"You know me?"
Miles nodded.
"I know most of the important figures in Star Harbor."
Her smile became more genuine.
"Impressive."
She looked him over carefully.
"Especially for someone your age."
Miles said nothing.
The woman continued.
"I was wondering who was behind the sudden rise of Sterling Enterprises."
Her eyes softened.
"Sterling blood really is something else."
Then she tilted her head.
"Miles."
He noticed that she used his name naturally.
"I once saw you when you were a toddler."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Yes."
For a moment she looked nostalgic.
"You probably don’t remember."
"I definitely don’t."
She laughed.
Miles gestured toward the villa.
"Well, it seems you came to see Grandpa."
"Come in."
"I’ll call him."
The woman nodded.
"Thank you."
Then she looked toward the car.
"And sorry for intruding on a Sunday."
She leaned inside and pulled out a bottle of wine.
Miles noticed it but said nothing.
He simply showed her the way inside.
...
The moment they entered the living room, Monica happened to be walking through the hallway.
Miles called,
"Monica."
She didn’t turn immediately.
"Boss?"
Then she turned.
She saw the familiar looking guest.
Her expression changed instantly.
"What is it, brother?"
Miles coughed lightly.
The correction had been painfully obvious.
He decided to ignore it.
"Can you please bring Grandpa?"
Monica glanced toward Dia.
Then back at Miles.
"He should be with Nurse Maya."
"Of course."
She immediately walked away.
Miles gestured toward the couch.
"Miss Dia, please have a seat."
Dia handed him the bottle of wine.
Then sat comfortably.
Miles placed the bottle on the nearby table.
Dia looked in the direction Monica had disappeared.
Then toward Miles.
A knowing smile appeared.
"You are something else, Miles."
Miles already knew where this was going.
"The face of the Reaper Group calls you Boss."
He sighed internally.
Dia continued.
"I definitely didn’t expect that."
Miles scratched the side of his face.
"Ah."
He looked slightly awkward.
"That."
Dia smiled.
"Yes."
Miles sat across from her.
"She’s my cousin."
Dia nodded slowly.
"Of course."
Miles looked at her.
Her expression made it obvious she didn’t believe that was the entire explanation.
Still, she didn’t push.
"Don’t worry."
Dia smiled.
"Your secret is safe with me."
Miles relaxed slightly.
"I appreciate that."
A few minutes later, footsteps approached.
Timothy entered with Monica beside him.
His walking had improved considerably, but Monica still stayed close enough to support him if necessary.
Dia immediately stood.
The moment Timothy saw her, he frowned.
His eyes studied her face.
"You are...?"
Dia smiled.
"You’ve gotten old, Uncle Tim."
Timothy blinked.
She continued.
"I still remember how many candies you used to send me."
Something changed in Timothy’s eyes.
Recognition.
He looked at her more carefully.
Then his expression softened.
"You are Mason’s daughter."
Dia’s smile widened.
"Dia."
Timothy pointed toward her.
"Dia Mason."
She laughed.
"You remember me."
Timothy smiled.
"Of course."
Dia stepped closer.
"I heard you were back."
Her voice became warmer.
"So I came to see you."
She looked him over.
"How have you been?"
Timothy slowly took a seat.
Monica returned to the couch beside Miles.
Both younger people instinctively became quiet.
The conversation belonged to an older generation now.
Timothy looked at Dia.
"You’ve grown up."
Dia laughed.
"I would hope so."
Timothy smiled.
Then naturally asked,
"Is your father doing well?"
The smile on Dia’s face softened.
"Dad passed away some time ago."
Timothy’s expression immediately changed.
"Oh."
His voice became quieter.
"I’m sorry."
He lowered his head slightly.
"My condolences."
Dia shook her head.
"Don’t worry about it, Uncle."
She had already made peace with it.
Her eyes moved toward his legs.
"I see you’re having trouble walking."
Timothy sighed.
"That’s what happens when you don’t walk for nearly two decades."
Dia looked at him.
"I heard you were in a coma."
"Yes."
She slowly shook her head.
"I always wondered where you disappeared."
Her smile returned.
"It’s good to see you again."
Timothy smiled back.
"Good to see you too."
For a few moments they exchanged simple memories.
Then Dia became slightly more serious.
"Actually..."
She looked toward Timothy.
"I came because of your old mansion."
Miles immediately became attentive.
Monica glanced toward him.
Neither interrupted.
Dia continued.
"After everything happened, Father participated in the auction."
Timothy frowned slightly.
"The auction?"
"Yes."
"He bought the mansion."
Miles’ eyes sharpened.
Dia continued.
"He wanted to keep it safe for you."
Timothy became quiet.
"But after Edward was gone..."
Dia’s voice softened.
"We simply stayed there."
She smiled faintly.
"I suppose Father couldn’t bring himself to abandon the place."
Then she reached into her handbag.
"I think it’s finally time I give the keys back."
Timothy looked at her.
For several seconds he said nothing.
Then he shook his head.
"That..."
He sighed.
"It really isn’t necessary, dear."
Dia stopped.
Timothy continued.
"You’ve been living there all these years."
"Keep it."
Dia immediately shook her head.
"My father wanted you to have it back."
Timothy looked surprised.
Dia continued.
"What you did for him in the past was incomparable to something like a house."
Miles listened carefully.
No one had told him exactly what Timothy had done for Kenelm Mason.
Dia looked toward the elderly man.
"And I know the mansion is important to you."
Her voice became softer.
"Edward grew up there."
The mention of his son immediately changed Timothy’s expression.
Dia continued.
"We maintained it well."
"Very well."
She smiled.
"Most things are still where they were."
Timothy looked away for a moment.
Perhaps remembering a different era.
Edward running through corridors.
Dinners.
Arguments.
Celebrations.
A life before everything fell apart.
Finally Timothy smiled.
"In that case..."
He nodded.
"Maybe I’ll visit sometime."
Dia’s expression brightened.
"But really..."
Timothy looked around Pearl Villa.
"What would I do with another mansion?"
Everyone listened.
"I like this one."
His eyes moved toward Miles.
Then Monica.
Toward the staircase.
"My family is here."
A gentle smile appeared.
"My grandchildren are here."
He leaned back comfortably.
"Now I simply want to spend whatever time this old man has left with them."
Miles immediately frowned.
"Grandpa."
Timothy looked at him.
"You’re getting younger every day."
The old man laughed.
Miles continued.
"You’re not going anywhere anytime soon."
Dia laughed as well.
She looked at Miles for a moment.
Then back at Timothy.
"Your grandson is a reflection of Edward."
Timothy’s expression filled with pride.
"Yes."
He nodded.
"I am proud of him."
Then he sighed.
"His achievements are making my nights sleepless."
Miles looked at Monica.
Monica covered her smile.
Dia laughed.
"I’m sure they are."
She looked toward Monica.
"Especially when someone like Monica is apparently living here too."
Monica smiled politely.
Then glanced toward Miles apologetically.
Miles gave her a slight nod.
It was fine.
Timothy laughed.
"Well, what do you know about Monica?"
Dia raised an eyebrow.
Timothy continued proudly.
"Her family background is probably more terrifying than whatever you’re imagining."
Monica closed her eyes.
"Grandpa..."
Dia laughed.
"Then I should definitely protect her secrets ."
Timothy nodded approvingly.
"Good decision."
The conversation became lighter.
Then suddenly...
A voice came from upstairs.
"Aunt Dia?"
Everyone looked toward the staircase.
Chloe stood there.
Her eyes widened.
Dia immediately turned.
Her expression changed completely.
"Is that you, Chloe?"
Miles slowly looked from Dia...
To Chloe...
Then back toward Dia.
Something clicked inside his mind.
Alice.
Her aunt in Star Harbor.
Chloe knowing Dia from her school days.
The old Sterling mansion.
Kenelm Mason was actually French. .
Miles’ eyebrows slowly rose.
Then a smile appeared on his face.
"This..."
He leaned back slightly.
"...is getting more interesting now."