Chapter 390: Its good to be young!!
Miles stepped a little away from the others, his phone still in his hand. The pleasant atmosphere of the villa suddenly felt distant as Charles’ words echoed in his ears.
"Charles, what did he get? Did he manage to contact Thea?"
There was a brief pause before Charles answered.
"He said he is having second thoughts."
Miles frowned immediately.
"What does that mean?"
Charles sounded equally troubled.
"He said everything inside Horizon Biotech’s New York headquarters is under the control of Thea. She is the one making the decisions."
Miles froze.
"What?"
The answer hit harder than he expected.
"Then the heist and explosion?"
"It was ordered by Thea herself."
For a moment Miles simply stared ahead.
The image of Thea refusing to cooperate with the WEB. The image of the stubborn princess who constantly challenged authority. The image of someone risking herself to gather information.
None of it matched what he was hearing.
"Damn..." he muttered. "What is she playing at?"
Charles sighed.
"That is the reason Ren is reluctant to talk to her. He said his cover will not stay intact for long. We have to make decisions now."
Miles rubbed his forehead.
"Things are at a bad point. If we make a mistake, it can cost lives. We do not know what Thea is planning. What if we ruin her plan? It is too hard to make decisions without hearing the truth directly from her."
"Ren has to come outside eventually," Charles replied. "Otherwise everything will be ruined anyway."
Miles looked out through the large windows of the villa.
The sunlight looked peaceful.
Yet thousands of miles away, people were moving pieces across a board he could barely see.
"How much time can he stay inside?"
"Maybe a day."
Miles nodded slowly.
"Arrange supplies for him. We are going to bug Horizon Biotech."
"Understood. I will arrange everything."
There was another moment of silence.
Then Miles spoke again.
"Charles."
"Boss?"
His voice became softer.
"I know he is a tough player. But we do not want him hurt. You understand?"
Charles answered immediately.
"I understand, Boss. Do not worry."
The call ended.
Miles lowered the phone and took a deep breath before returning to the others.
The atmosphere inside the living room remained warm and lively.
Dr. Reyes was reviewing Timothy’s latest reports while Maya stood beside him with a tablet.
Miles sat down beside his grandfather.
"Thanks, Doc. It will be best if he starts walking."
Timothy nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes. I want to walk again and move around with my children. I want to see my city properly."
Daniel smiled.
"You will be able to, Father."
Elena nodded immediately.
"Yes. You are already improving every day."
Dr. Reyes closed the file in his hands.
"The recovery is progressing very well. Regarding diet, he can slowly begin returning to a normal diet."
Timothy’s eyes instantly brightened.
"I am relieved."
Maya immediately raised a finger.
"He said slowly, Senior Sterling."
Everyone laughed.
Maya continued.
"Maybe one or two dishes. Not an entire feast."
Timothy looked genuinely disappointed.
"Still better than porridge and oatmeal."
The room erupted into laughter again.
David raised his hand.
"I can understand that, Uncle Tim. After my accident, I was forced to eat similar food."
Birdie crossed her arms.
"For only a few days."
David coughed awkwardly.
"That is not the point."
Timothy immediately pointed at him.
"See? At least someone understands me."
More laughter filled the room.
Even Dr. Reyes smiled.
"I am glad your spirit has recovered as well."
Timothy chuckled.
"That recovered the moment I came home."
The doctor gathered his things.
"Then I should take my leave. Maya and another member of the medical staff will continue staying here."
Miles nodded.
"Okay."
Monica stood up.
"Let me walk you out, Dr. Reyes."
The doctor thanked her and the two left the room together.
For a moment, the room became quieter.
Everyone seemed relaxed.
The wedding celebrations were over.
The guests had mostly left.
Life was slowly returning to normal.
Timothy suddenly looked at Miles.
"So, Miles."
Daniel smiled knowingly.
"So?"
Everyone turned toward him.
Miles leaned back slightly.
"The wedding is done."
He looked around the room.
"I should get back to work too."
Timothy nodded.
"Yes. Work is important."
Elena smiled.
"Mona said she has a lot of pending work as well."
Birdie glanced at her sister.
"What about the restaurant, Sister?"
Elena exchanged a look with Daniel.
"It can operate well without us now."
Daniel nodded proudly.
"Everyone there is trained. They know what they are doing."
"Yes," Elena agreed.
The family had worked hard to build Atelier.
Now it could stand on its own feet.
Miles looked thoughtful.
"I was thinking about something for some time."
Everyone listened.
Even Timothy straightened slightly in his wheelchair.
Miles looked at Elena.
"Mom, have you given any thought to the second branch of Atelier?"
Daniel immediately smiled.
"Your mother and I were discussing exactly that."
Birdie’s eyes widened.
"Really?"
Daniel nodded.
"Our reservations are full almost every day now."
Elena smiled proudly.
"It is becoming difficult to accommodate everyone."
Daniel continued.
"I think we should open a second branch in the city."
The room instantly became lively.
Birdie looked excited.
David nodded in approval.
Even Timothy smiled proudly.
Elena looked at Miles.
Then she slowly nodded.
Miles smiled back.
"Then it is settled."
A look of excitement appeared on his face.
"We will start looking for a good location."
The reaction was immediate.
Birdie clapped her hands.
David laughed.
Daniel looked pleased.
Elena’s eyes shone with excitement.
Even Timothy looked happier than before.
....
Miles finally returned to work.
The traffic flowed smoothly through Star Harbor as his car entered Cinder Square.
The towering office building of Sterling enterprises stood proudly among the modern skyline. Employees moved in and out through the glass entrance while business continued as usual.
Miles stepped out of the car and adjusted his jacket.
It had been days since he last showed up at the office.
The moment he entered the executive floor, people immediately noticed him.
"Boss!"
"Congratulations on the wedding!"
Several employees greeted him warmly as he walked through the corridor.
Miles smiled and nodded at everyone.
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Back to work now."
A few people laughed.
The atmosphere felt relaxed.
Everyone knew their boss was newly married.
By the time he reached his office, a small pile of congratulatory cards and gifts had already appeared on his desk.
He pushed the door open.
June was already inside working.
Stacks of documents surrounded her as usual.
She looked up and smiled.
"Good afternoon, Boss."
"Good afternoon."
Miles sat down in his chair.
"Everything good?"
June nodded.
"Yes, Boss."
Then she leaned back slightly.
"You could have taken more days off."
Miles chuckled.
"It is fine."
He loosened his tie slightly.
"To be honest, I am planning a trip with my wife."
June’s eyes immediately brightened.
"Oh?"
Miles nodded.
"It is better to work now and finish things. Otherwise everything falls on you."
June smiled.
"Boss, I can really manage."
"I know."
Miles pointed toward the files.
"Bring me everything that needs my attention."
June stood up.
"Okay."
A few minutes later she returned carrying a thick bundle of documents.
Then another.
Then another.
The pile landed on his desk with a heavy thump.
Miles stared at it.
"This many?"
June immediately raised her hands.
"If it is too much, you can do them later. None of them are urgent. We can delay things for a month or two."
Miles shook his head.
"How can I?"
He sighed dramatically.
"Bring everything."
June laughed.
"I knew you would say that."
Miles opened the first file.
"I will finish as much work as possible."
Then he remembered something.
"Also start looking for a good place for the second branch of Atelier."
June’s eyes widened.
"Really?"
Miles nodded.
"It is finally happening."
June looked genuinely excited.
"That is wonderful news, Boss."
She immediately opened her tablet.
"I will start searching for suitable locations."
"Thanks."
The day passed quickly.
Meetings.
Approvals.
Contracts.
Investments.
Expansion plans.
Miles reviewed documents while June sat beside him discussing details.
Occasionally she brought new reports.
Sometimes she disagreed with his strange strategies.
Other times they refined plans together.
Before they knew it, evening had arrived.
Miles finished signing the final document.
He leaned back and stretched.
"That was the last file."
June immediately placed a cup on his desk.
"You worked hard, Boss."
She smiled.
"Here is your coffee."
Miles looked relieved.
"You are a lifesaver."
He took a sip.
The warm coffee instantly improved his mood.
June rested her chin on her hand.
"So."
Miles looked suspicious.
"So?"
June grinned.
"How is married life?"
Miles nearly laughed.
"It has only been two days, June."
"Still."
Miles looked out the window for a moment.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
"I feel happy."
June immediately sat up straighter.
"Oh?"
Miles nodded.
"I find myself smiling when I wake up."
His voice softened.
"It feels like she is another part of me."
June instantly covered her mouth.
"Oh my God."
Miles frowned.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She was trying very hard not to smile.
Then she leaned forward.
"So where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?"
Miles nearly spilled his coffee.
"Trip."
June grinned.
"Same thing."
"It is not."
"It is."
Miles sighed.
"We have not decided yet."
June shook her head.
"Boss, you should go before both of you become busy again."
She pointed at him.
"You already gave her responsibility for the Sterling Foundation."
Then she pointed toward herself.
"And she still has her own company."
Miles nodded slowly.
"Hmm."
She was right.
"I should plan it soon."
A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
"Maybe I should discuss it with her first."
June smiled.
"Exactly."
She glanced at the clock.
"Boss, you should go home now."
Miles looked surprised.
"Oh."
He checked the time.
"It is already this late?"
June nodded.
"You have been working nonstop."
Miles finished the last sip of his coffee.
Then he noticed she was still sitting there.
"Why are you not packing up?"
June looked slightly embarrassed.
"Umm..."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
June cleared her throat.
"I have a date tonight."
Miles blinked.
Then smiled.
"Oh."
June nodded.
"He will pick me up from Cinder Square."
"That is great."
Miles looked genuinely happy for her.
"You should take some time off too."
"Thanks, Boss."
She smiled warmly.
"I will tell you if I need it."
Miles leaned back.
"Since when has this been going on?"
June’s cheeks turned slightly red.
"We met two months ago."
Miles looked impressed.
"You are amazing, June."
Then he suddenly laughed.
"Ask Monica to find someone too."
June instantly started laughing.
Miles continued dramatically.
"Otherwise her grandfather will keep bringing it up."
He shook his head.
"Seriously. That old man is getting older every day."
June tried not to laugh.
"It is not that she does not want to date someone."
Miles paused.
Then slowly looked at her.
"You know something?"
June hesitated.
"Well.. boss."
Miles narrowed his eyes.
"June."
She sighed.
"She liked someone."
Miles sat upright.
"What?"
June nodded.
"It is just... It is just"
"What?"
"The man was afraid of her background."
Miles stared.
June continued.
"He thought she was too high profile for him."
Silence.
Then Miles slowly placed his coffee cup down.
"He turned her down?"
June nodded.
"So she does not talk about it anymore."
Miles looked completely offended.
"Who dares turn down my sister, tell me his name?"
June laughed.
"Boss."
"No."
Miles pointed at her.
"Tell me."
June shook her head.
"If you ask me, it was not that long ago."
A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"It can still be fixed."
Miles folded his arms.
"You seriously want to do something about it."
"Of course."
June nodded immediately.
"She deserves to be happy too."
Miles leaned forward
A determined look appeared in his eyes.
"Give me the details."
June smiled.