Chapter 347: Alcohol!!
The evening breeze carried a pleasant chill through the streets of Star Harbor.
Outside the towering Soul Tower, cars arrived and departed one after another as employees finished another busy day.
Miles stood quietly near the entrance with both hands in his pockets.
He occasionally glanced at his watch before looking toward the lobby.
A familiar voice called out.
"Chairman?"
Miles turned and smiled.
"Hi, Alice."
"What’s up?"
Alice and Kate had just walked out together.
Alice laughed awkwardly.
"Chloe works from home, you know."
"She’s not here."
Kate covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Miles rubbed the back of his neck.
"Uh..."
"I know that."
"I’m actually waiting for Monica."
Alice’s cheeks became slightly red.
"Oops."
"I’m sorry."
"Please don’t mind."
Miles smiled warmly.
"It’s alright."
"How’s work?"
Alice nodded confidently.
"Everything is going smoothly."
"Now that Chloe is back, the entire department feels complete again."
Miles looked relieved.
"Looks like I disrupted everyone’s work for a while."
Alice shook her head immediately.
"Not at all, Chairman."
"We’re not behind schedule."
"And honestly..."
"It was a good learning experience."
"The rest of the team learned how to manage things without constantly depending on their lead."
She smiled.
"Sometimes that’s important too."
Her expression softened.
"And besides..."
"How could I possibly blame you?"
"It was all for Chloe."
"And her happiness matters."
Alice looked toward the evening sky before smiling again.
"Seeing her smile like that after all these years..."
"It makes all of us happy."
Miles lowered his head slightly.
"Thank you..."
"For always being there for her."
Kate smiled brightly.
"We always will."
Alice suddenly remembered something.
"Oh right."
"I’ll send progress reports tomorrow."
"And the latest playable prototypes."
Miles’ eyes lit up.
"I can’t wait."
"The closer we get to release, the more excited I become."
Another familiar voice came from behind.
"Long way to go, Boss."
Monica walked toward them while adjusting the strap of her handbag.
"Making a game isn’t easy."
"It takes years of hard work."
Miles nodded.
"I know."
"It’s not like I’m asking you to finish it quickly."
He smiled.
"The longer the wait..."
"The greater the excitement."
Alice laughed.
"Hearing that from you motivates everyone."
Miles gave an encouraging nod.
"Keep up the good work."
Monica looked toward the parking area.
"Shall we?"
"You’ve got guests waiting."
Alice smiled.
"And we should leave too."
The four exchanged their goodbyes.
Soon...
The two cars drove away in opposite directions.
...
The Atelier
Tonight, the restaurant was completely reserved.
No ordinary guests had been accepted.
Every table inside belonged to members of the Ancient Warrior Order who had participated in the recent mission.
Warm lights filled the restaurant.
Laughter echoed from every corner.
After Miles finished thanking everyone for their contribution during the operation...
Dinner officially began.
Glasses were raised.
Food was served continuously.
The atmosphere quickly became lively.
Before long...
The five Supreme Martial Artists surrounded Miles’ table.
Darius lifted his glass happily.
"Leader."
"This is some excellent alcohol."
Miles looked at the bottle.
"You like it?"
"It’s from a local winery."
Marina’s cheeks were already bright red.
She pointed her glass dramatically into the air.
"They have wineries here?"
She slammed the table lightly.
"Then our next mission..."
"Is to conquer the Wine Demon!"
Everyone looked at her.
Miles blinked twice.
"...What?"
Reina sighed while rubbing her forehead.
"Please don’t listen to her."
"She absolutely cannot handle alcohol."
She gently pulled Marina back onto her chair.
"There used to be a rumor throughout the Five Clan Alliance."
Aerin became interested immediately.
"What rumor?"
Reina smiled helplessly.
"Once..."
"After drinking..."
"Marina chased the Sixth Elder of her own clan around the training grounds."
Marina proudly nodded.
"He was the Demon King of the North!"
Ren almost burst into laughter.
Miles covered his face.
"...Do the clans actually have stories like this?"
Darius looked confused.
"Wait."
"Why have I never heard that?"
Ren answered with a grin.
"I heard her master spends his free time reading novels."
Miles laughed.
"So that’s where she learned it?"
Marina nodded proudly.
"Seems so."
Everyone laughed together.
Darius poured another drink.
"Forget all that."
"Leader."
"Drink with us."
Miles looked at the six empty juice glasses already sitting beside him.
"This..."
"...is my sixth glass of juice."
"My blood sugar is probably climbing into the heavens."
Ren pushed another glass toward him.
"Then try alcohol."
Marina suddenly leaned forward.
"Yes, Leader!"
"Alcohol is the best!"
She nearly pushed her glass directly against Miles’ cheek.
Before disaster could happen...
Reina quickly grabbed Marina’s wrist.
"I said..."
"Stop moving."
Miles laughed helplessly.
"I’ll pass."
"But I’ll stay here and keep everyone company."
Darius smiled broadly.
"That’s why you’re the best, Leader."
The celebration continued for hours.
Stories were exchanged.
Old missions were remembered.
Laughter echoed across the restaurant until midnight.
...
After the celebration ended...
Miles personally arranged vehicles to take everyone back toward the port where boats were waiting to return them to the island.
One after another...
The cars departed.
Finally...
The last vehicle disappeared into the distance.
Miles let out a long breath.
"What a day..."
Behind him...
A sleepy voice mumbled.
"Brother..."
"They’re so fun..."
Monica staggered slightly while trying to stand straight.
"...And they’re so strong."
She looked up thoughtfully.
"I’ll marry a strong man someday."
Miles quickly held her shoulders before she lost her balance.
"How much did you drink?"
Monica counted on her fingers.
"...I forgot."
Daniel walked over with an equally relaxed smile.
"They invited me to play golf someday."
Miles stared.
"...Father."
"You drank too?"
Daniel immediately shook his head.
"Me?"
"No."
"...Just a few glasses."
"They kept insisting."
Miles sighed dramatically.
"Who would believe..."
"That they’re the strongest martial artists in the world?"
"The core disciples of the Five Clans..."
"The legendary Supreme Martial Artists..."
He looked toward the road where their cars had disappeared.
"And this..."
"...is their greatest weakness."
He smiled helplessly.
"Looks like years of closed door training really affected them."
He remembered Clarissa’s warning.
"So this is what Miss Clarissa meant."
"She told me Supreme Martial Artists are difficult to manage."
"But..."
"I don’t think she meant this."
Elena laughed softly beside him.
"They looked genuinely happy."
Miles nodded.
"They really did."
"Although..."
"I think I should invite Miss Meiling someday."
Elena looked curious.
"Oh?"
Miles smiled helplessly.
"To teach them proper etiquette."
"They’re incredibly polite..."
"But once they relax..."
"They become completely wild."
Elena could not stop laughing.
Miles scratched his head.
"I’m sorry, Mom."
"I didn’t expect such a mess tonight."
Elena gently shook her head.
"They’re all kind people."
"You know..."
"They even helped move the tables and chairs before leaving."
Daniel suddenly looked toward Elena with a warm smile.
"How about..."
"You have one glass with me, my lady?"
Miles almost laughed aloud.
Elena’s cheeks immediately turned pink.
Without hesitation...
She reached over and pulled Daniel’s ear.
"Ouch!"
"It hurts!"
Daniel protested dramatically.
Elena tried to keep a straight face.
"Behave yourself."
"The children are still here."
Miles watched the scene with amusement.
"Well..."
"I’ve never seen this side of Father before."
"What a lucky day."
Elena smiled gently.
"Back then..."
"We were always busy."
"We carried every responsibility ourselves."
She looked at Daniel with warm eyes.
"He needed a little alcohol before he could openly express his feelings."
Miles smiled quietly.
Somehow...
Seeing his parents laugh together like this filled his heart with peace.
Elena looked back at him.
"But I’m glad..."
"You don’t drink."
Monica slowly raised her hand.
"What about me, Aunt?"
Everyone looked toward her.
Elena laughed.
"I think..."
"We should go home."
"Before these two pass out right here."
Miles nodded.
"You’re right."
He smiled to himself.
"I just hope Hope and Asher are already asleep."
.....
The following morning...
Sterling Enterprises had already come alive.
Employees moved efficiently across every department while the city outside slowly settled into another busy workday.
Inside the Chairman’s office...
Miles was reading through several reports while June organized the morning schedule on her tablet.
After checking the final appointment, she looked up.
"Boss."
"You have a visitor this morning."
Miles closed the file in his hands.
"You said someone was coming to meet me?"
June nodded.
"Yes."
"He is Mrs. Connor’s son."
Miles raised his head.
"Great Aunt’s son?"
"So..."
"My uncle?"
He smiled helplessly.
"He could have simply come home."
"We’rerelatives after all."
June smiled.
"Perhaps it’s related to business."
Miles leaned back in his chair.
"I wonder..."
"Does the Connor family in London actually lack business?"
June laughed softly.
"Boss."
"Every business has its own worries."
"No matter how successful it becomes."
Miles nodded thoughtfully before looking at her.
"Speaking of work..."
"Am I giving you too much?"
June blinked.
"Hm?"
"Are you getting enough time for yourself?"
June smiled reassuringly.
"I’m fine, Boss."
"I can handle everything."
"Don’t worry."
Miles shook his head.
"You don’t always have to handle everything alone."
June looked curious.
"What do you mean?"
"You should consider hiring a few assistants."
"Assistants?"
"Yes."
"You can ask Monica to recruit some capable young people."
"They can gradually learn the company’s systems."
He folded his hands.
"In the future..."
"If Chase decides to join the company..."
"Or if Hope and Asher choose this path..."
"They’ll need trustworthy people around them."
"People who already understand how everything works."
June slowly nodded.
"You’re right."
"I can personally train them."
She suddenly smiled.
"But..."
"Wouldn’t that sound strange?"
Miles looked confused.
"What would?"
She tried to keep a straight face.
"Assistant’s assistants."
Miles stared at her for a second.
Then burst into laughter.
"That just makes you the Head Assistant."
June smiled.
"Sounds more like a butler."
Miles laughed even harder.
"What?"
Before either of them could continue...
June’s Tablet vibrated.
She glanced at the screen.
"He’s here."
"And he’s already coming upstairs."
Miles checked the clock.
"He’s early."
A few moments later...
There was a gentle knock.
The office door opened.
Miles immediately stood and walked toward the entrance himself.
A tall gentleman entered the room.
His appearance carried the calm elegance of someone raised within an old aristocratic family.
The moment Calum saw Miles...
He stopped walking.
His eyes remained fixed on him.
For several silent seconds...
He simply looked.
Miles smiled politely.
"Is there something wrong..."
"Uncle Calum?"
Calum slowly smiled.
"You resemble your father."
His voice carried a trace of nostalgia.
"So much..."
Miles smiled gently.
"Welcome."
"Please..."
"Have a seat."
The two of them walked toward the sofa and sat opposite each other.
June quietly served tea before excusing herself from the conversation.
Miles looked at him.
"You should visit home, Uncle."
"Meeting here feels more like a business discussion."
Calum laughed softly.
"Perhaps."
"But I actually came for several reasons."
Miles nodded.
"I’m listening."
Calum picked up his teacup.
"First..."
"I wanted to finally meet you."
"And your family."
"My mother has spoken about all of you countless times."
He smiled.
"Second..."
"I wanted to visit Edward."
"And pay my respects at the cemetery."
"Mother especially asked me to do that."
Miles quietly nodded.
"I’ll take you there personally."
Calum looked grateful.
"Thank you."
He took another sip before placing the cup back on the table.
"And third..."
"I need your help."
Miles looked at him curiously.
"My help?"
"Tell me, Uncle."
"How can I help?"
Calum sighed lightly.
"There’s an important business deal I need to secure."
"But..."
"Someone from here has been causing us a great deal of trouble."
Miles’ expression slowly froze.
He stared at Calum for several seconds before rubbing his forehead.
"...Why..."
"...am I getting déjà vu again?"
Calum blinked.
"Hm?"
Miles sighed.
"Please don’t tell me..."
"It’s Miller Corporation."
This time...
It was Calum’s turn to freeze.
His eyes widened in genuine surprise.
"How..."
"How did you know?"
The room suddenly became completely silent.
To be continued...