Chapter 370: Finally Surprised !!
The weekend arrived.
Pearl Villa, however, was anything but quiet.
Staff members walked through the gardens carrying decorations.
Boxes of flowers were delivered one after another.
Design samples covered the dining table.
Every corner of the villa carried the excitement of an upcoming wedding.
Only five days remained.
Daniel stood in the living room with a stack of invitation cards.
He carefully counted them once more before nodding.
"Only a few invitations are left."
"I’ll send them out today."
Monica, sitting nearby with her tablet full of schedules, looked up confidently.
"Leave the decorations and arrangements to me, Uncle."
"I’ve already hired a professional team."
"They’ll start setting everything up tomorrow."
Daniel smiled with satisfaction.
"Good."
"That saves me one more headache."
Elena walked into the room carrying fresh tea.
Looking around at everyone’s busy expressions, she couldn’t help smiling.
"Everything is going so smoothly."
She placed the tray on the table.
"It’s the weekend."
"Miles is finally home."
"And since it’s Saturday..."
"You three should finish the remaining shopping."
Before anyone could answer...
The front door opened.
Miles walked inside after finishing his morning workout.
He stopped at the entrance and looked around.
"So lively..."
"On a Saturday morning?"
Elena immediately smiled.
"Look at you."
"Everyone in this house is excited about the wedding."
"And you’re the only one acting calm."
Miles laughed softly.
"Mom..."
"There are still five days left."
"Let’s take things slowly."
"No need to rush."
Elena sighed dramatically.
"Easy for you to say."
"My son is getting married."
"How am I supposed to stay calm?"
Monica laughed from the sofa.
"To be honest..."
"Aunt isn’t that excited about the wedding."
Everyone looked at her.
"She’s excited about finally bringing Chloe home."
Elena immediately pretended to be offended.
"I am excited about both."
Miles chuckled.
"So..."
"Is there anything I can help with?"
Daniel immediately shook his head.
"Everything’s under control."
"Don’t worry."
He smiled.
"Monica told me you’re meeting your friends this evening."
"So we’ll finish shopping during the day."
Miles suddenly stopped walking.
"Oh..."
"I almost forgot."
"Asher is going to hate me."
Elena laughed.
"Don’t worry."
"He’s becoming much more patient as he grows up."
Daniel smiled knowingly.
"Maybe because everyone keeps spoiling those two , they are getting bored with stuff."
Miles smiled imagining
"Father."
"That isn’t spoiling."
"I just want my younger brother and sister to be happy."
"And besides..."
"They’re both incredibly obedient."
Daniel nodded.
"That’s true."
Miles stretched his shoulders.
"Alright."
"I’m going upstairs."
He looked towards Elena.
"I’m starving, Mom."
Elena pointed towards the staircase.
"Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes."
"Go take a shower first."
"Then come down."
Miles smiled.
"Alright."
Without another word...
He headed upstairs.
Behind him...
The preparations continued once again.
Everyone moved with smiles on their faces.
The auspicious day was drawing closer.
Next Friday...
Pearl Villa would welcome guests.
And two lives...
Would become one.
...
After breakfast...
The boys left together.
Daniel drove.
Miles occupied the back seat seat.
Asher sat beside full of excitement.
A little later...
Dion joined them on the way.
The four spent almost the entire morning shopping.
Formal suits.
Shoes.
Accessories.
Watches.
They compared colours.
Tried different styles.
Asher enthusiastically gave opinions on everyone’s outfits, whether anyone asked him or not.
His comments made all three adults laugh repeatedly.
They even bought several gifts for the rest of the family before finally finishing.
By the time they returned...
The afternoon sun had already climbed high into the sky.
Daniel dropped Miles at the Sterling Security Base.
Asher leaned out of the window.
"Big Bro."
"Don’t forget Lunch."
Miles laughed.
"I won’t."
Daniel drove Asher back towards Pearl Villa.
Miles turned towards the base.
...
Inside...
Major Charles was already waiting.
The moment he saw Miles enter...
He smiled.
"Boss."
"You really should get some rest."
"You only returned last night."
Miles walked over and shook his hand.
"I’m fine, Charles."
"Actually..."
"I feel more energetic today."
"I thought I’d stop by."
He looked around the office.
"I expected you to be off today."
"It’s the weekend."
Charles laughed.
"My wife took the children to visit her parents."
"I was getting bored sitting at home."
He shrugged.
"She always says I enjoy work more than family vacations."
He smiled sheepishly.
"But..."
"I can’t help it."
"This place gives me adrenaline."
Miles laughed.
"You’ve got a soldier’s blood running through your veins."
"I can’t really complain."
Charles grinned.
"Exactly."
He picked up a remote.
"Speaking of work..."
"You should take a look at this."
The lights dimmed slightly.
A large digital display came to life.
Several surveillance photographs appeared on the screen.
Charles folded his arms.
"Just like you instructed..."
"We’ve been monitoring Horizon Biotech’s headquarters in New York."
Miles quietly observed the photographs.
Charles continued.
"And..."
"You were right."
He enlarged one of the images.
"A number of individuals carrying the same tattoo have been entering and leaving the building."
"Their numbers have increased significantly over the past week."
He changed to another image.
"So..."
"Something has definitely changed."
Miles remained silent.
Charles zoomed further.
"There’s another interesting detail."
"It isn’t just the tattoo."
"They’re all wearing the same wristwatch."
The enlarged photograph filled the display.
Miles stared at it for only a second.
His expression immediately changed.
"...That’s..."
"MX81."
Charles looked at him.
"So you recognise it."
Miles slowly nodded.
"It’s a slave monitoring watch."
Charles frowned.
"I thought production stopped years ago."
Miles crossed his arms.
"It should have."
His eyes remained fixed on the screen.
"But..."
"It seems someone obtained the technology."
"And started manufacturing them independently."
His expression became serious.
"The last time I saw those watches..."
He paused.
"...Was in Kensington."
"Philadelphia."
Charles listened quietly.
"There was an underground drug production facility."
"They were forcing children to manufacture narcotics."
"Every child wore one of these."
Miles pointed towards the image.
"It contains a built in camera."
"Every hour..."
"The alarm activates."
"The wearer has to show their face."
"If they don’t..."
"The controllers immediately know."
Charles nodded.
"So..."
"If everyone inside Horizon is wearing one..."
Miles finished the sentence.
"They’re extremely cautious."
"If even one person disappears..."
"They’ll know."
Charles sighed.
"And that’s exactly our problem."
"We’ve been looking for a way to capture one."
"But we haven’t found an opportunity."
He changed the display once again.
Another surveillance photograph appeared.
Princess Thea.
Standing outside Horizon Biotech Headquarters.
Charles spoke quietly.
"A few days ago..."
"Princess Thea entered the building."
Miles immediately looked up.
"When did she leave?"
Charles slowly shook his head.
"She hasn’t."
Miles frowned.
"She still hasn’t come out?"
"It doesn’t look like she’s in immediate danger."
Charles enlarged another satellite image.
"We’ve confirmed residential sections inside the headquarters."
"A considerable number of foreign nationals are living there."
"We’ve seen many unfamiliar faces entering and leaving."
"But not her."
Miles became thoughtful.
"Keep monitoring."
"If Princess Thea leaves..."
"I want to know immediately."
Charles nodded.
"Understood."
Miles looked back at the screen.
"What about the Grandmaster?"
Charles switched to another report.
"He returned to the country on the second day of the Conclave."
"He’s currently here."
Miles considered it for a moment.
Then answered calmly.
"Observe him."
"But from a distance."
"No contact."
"No interference."
Charles nodded again.
"Understood."
The room became quiet.
Both men stared at the collection of photographs displayed across the screen.
The peace following the Conclave...
Was proving to be much shorter than either of them had hoped.
That evening...
Just as planned...
Miles and Chloe left together.
Inside the car...
Chloe sat comfortably in the passenger seat.
She looked out of the window before turning towards Miles with curiosity.
"So..."
"Where exactly are we going?"
Miles kept one hand on the steering wheel.
"Celina sent me an address."
He glanced at the navigation screen.
"It’s a nightclub."
Chloe blinked.
"A nightclub?"
She smiled softly.
"Well..."
"Most young people enjoy those."
"Lissy and Kate go quite often."
Miles looked at her.
"What about you?"
Chloe immediately shook her head.
"I don’t really enjoy them."
"Everyone gets drunk."
"There are so many strangers."
She hugged herself slightly.
"And..."
"They’re honestly a little scary."
Miles couldn’t help laughing.
"That’s your reason?"
She immediately reached over and gently hit his shoulder.
"Hey."
"Don’t laugh at me."
Miles raised both hands dramatically.
"Alright."
"I’m sorry."
He smiled.
"But..."
"I suppose keeping your friends company isn’t a bad reason to go."
He lowered his voice conspiratorially.
"And let me tell you a secret."
Chloe looked at him curiously.
"What secret?"
Miles smiled.
"Drunk friends..."
"They usually tell the truth."
"You can get the best gossip out of them."
Chloe stared at him for a second.
"...That sounds more like an interrogation technique."
Miles burst into laughter.
She folded her arms.
"Hmph."
"You really are impossible."
A few minutes later...
The navigation announced their arrival.
Miles slowly parked the car beside an elegant modern building.
He frowned slightly.
"...We’re here."
Chloe looked through the windshield.
The street was unusually quiet.
She tilted her head.
"Isn’t something strange?"
Miles looked around.
"It should be crowded."
"It’s Saturday evening."
"Nightclubs are usually busiest now."
There wasn’t a single line outside.
No loud music.
No waiting customers.
Only a few expensive cars parked nearby.
Miles switched off the engine.
"Come on."
"Let’s find out."
He walked around the car before opening Chloe’s door.
As always...
He naturally offered his hand.
She smiled before placing hers in his.
The two of them walked towards the entrance together.
Before they could step inside...
One of the security guards respectfully approached.
"I believe..."
"You’re the guests we’ve been waiting for."
Chloe looked confused.
"Guests?"
The guard nodded politely.
"Yes."
"Miss Wraithborne reserved the entire club tonight."
"She’s expecting both of you."
He stepped aside.
"You may go in."
Miles looked at Chloe before smiling.
"That explains why the city suddenly became peaceful."
She laughed quietly.
"So that’s why."
Together...
Still holding hands...
They stepped through the entrance.
The heavy doors slowly closed behind them.
...
Darkness.
The entire club was pitch black.
Not a single light remained on.
Even the music was absent.
Miles instinctively looked around.
"Why is it so dark?"
Chloe unconsciously moved a little closer to him.
"...Miles."
Before either of them could react...
Click.
Every light inside the club suddenly came alive.
Bright spotlights illuminated the dance floor.
The music exploded through the speakers.
Confetti cannons burst into the air.
Colourful paper rained down from above.
At the same moment...
A loud chorus echoed throughout the club.
"Surprise!"
Miles froze.
Standing before them...
Nearly everyone they cared about was already there.
At the front stood...
Celina.
Becky.
Rose.
June.
April.
Josh.
Behind them...
Alice.
Kate.
Dion.
Silvey.
Layla.
Olivia.
Monica.
Then Chase walked forward with a huge grin.
Beside him stood Cole...
Sophia...
And Isabelle.
Almost every young person close to them had gathered in one place.
The atmosphere instantly became lively.
Chase raised both arms dramatically.
"Everyone!"
He pointed towards the entrance.
"Here come the groom..."
"And the bride-to-be!"
Cheers immediately erupted.
Applause filled the room.
Miles simply stood there.
Completely speechless.
Chloe blinked repeatedly.
She looked from one familiar face to another unfamiliar face.
"This is..."
Celina proudly stepped forward.
"Well?"
"How do you like the surprise?"
Becky covered her mouth while laughing.
"Look at him."
"He’s actually shocked."
Rose laughed just as hard.
"I didn’t think I’d ever see that expression."
From another corner...
Silvey happily waved.
"Long time no see, Brother."
Miles finally recovered enough to speak.
"What exactly is going on here?"
Monica folded her arms with a satisfied smile.
"Well..."
"It’s your bachelor’s party."
Rose immediately corrected her with a grin.
"And Chloe’s too."
"The man who always surprises everyone..."
She pointed at Miles.
"...Has finally been surprised himself."
Dion walked over laughing.
"Wow."
"It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen that face."
Miles finally smiled.
He looked directly at Dion.
"Hey."
"You’re already married."
"What are you doing at a bachelor’s party?"
Dion proudly puffed out his chest.
"I received special permission..."
"From my dear wife."
The room burst into laughter.
Miles shook his head.
"I should’ve guessed."
The laughter slowly settled.
Miles looked around the room.
Then...
Without hesitation...
He gently held Chloe’s hand.
His expression became unusually warm.
He looked at every friend gathered before him.
"I suppose..."
"I should introduce someone properly."
Everyone immediately became quiet.
Miles smiled.
"This..."
He looked at Chloe with unmistakable affection.
"...Is the love of my life."
"My fiancée."
"Chloe."
For a brief second...
The room remained silent.
Then the cheers became even louder than before.
"Welcome, Chloe!"
"So pretty!"
"No wonder my cousin fell in love!"
"We’ve heard so much about you!"
"Congratulations!"
Someone started clapping again.
Soon...
The entire club was filled with laughter, applause and excited conversations.
The evening...
Had only just begun.