Chapter 356: Rumors!!
"Do you think I was wrong, Mom?"
The question came quietly.
After dinner, the Pearl Villa had settled into its usual peaceful atmosphere.
The clouds were moving , leaving behind the pleasant scent of wet earth drifting in through the open windows.
Elena and Miles sat together in the living room with warm tea resting on the coffee table between them.
For a few moments, Elena simply looked at her son.
She had seen countless expressions on his face since he came back.
The cold eyes of Anger.
The determined eyes of a chairman.
The joyful smile of an elder brother.
But tonight...
He looked like nothing more than a young man searching for an answer from his mother.
Elena smiled gently.
"To be honest..."
"I really feel bad for Clarissa."
Miles quietly listened.
"But that doesn’t mean you are wrong."
She lifted her cup before continuing.
"When I was in high school..."
"There were many girls who liked your father."
Miles blinked.
"Dad was popular?"
Elena laughed softly.
"He was."
"And I was very jealous."
She shook her head while smiling at the old memory.
"Edward was hopeless."
"Whenever one of those girls tried to confess..."
"He would simply run away."
Miles could already imagine it.
He smiled.
"So I told him..."
"If he keeps running forever..."
"He’ll only hurt them more."
"I convinced him to face them honestly."
"To tell them exactly how he felt."
She looked at Miles with warm eyes.
"In your case..."
"You did exactly that."
"You confronted Clarissa much earlier."
"You never lied to her."
"You never gave her false hope."
"You were much braver than your father."
Miles quietly lowered his eyes.
"I still hurt her."
Elena slowly placed her hand over his.
"Yes."
"You did."
"And that hurts me too."
"Clarissa is a wonderful girl."
"She cares deeply about you."
"She even saved your life."
"She is strong."
"I truly wish happiness finds her."
Her smile became gentler.
"But I believe in fate."
"Somewhere..."
"There is someone waiting for her."
"Someone who will love her with all his heart."
She squeezed his hand softly.
"You don’t need to carry this guilt forever."
"The world doesn’t work that way."
"You cannot make everyone happy."
"If you try..."
"You will become the saddest person."
Miles remained silent.
Her words slowly eased the heaviness inside him.
Elena smiled again.
"Oh..."
"Bring Clarissa to the Atelier tomorrow."
"I’ll cook lunch for her."
"She shouldn’t remember Star Harbor only because of heartbreak."
Miles smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Mom."
Elena looked genuinely happy.
"I love it when you come to me like this."
"When Chloe comes along..."
"My happiness doubles."
"That sweetheart has already stolen everyone’s heart."
She suddenly became excited.
"We’re going shopping next week."
Miles looked amused.
"Shopping?"
"For the wedding."
"I need clothes."
"So does Chloe."
She looked at herself dramatically.
"I am the groom’s mother."
"Of course I have to look beautiful."
Miles laughed.
"I’m sure you will."
"Don’t forget Father."
Elena chuckled.
"Your father refused."
"He said he’ll shop together with you and Dion."
"And Asher immediately volunteered to join."
Miles laughed harder.
"So if I don’t go..."
"My baby brother is going to be disappointed."
"Exactly."
The two shared another warm laugh.
Miles stood up and stretched lightly.
"Good night, Mom."
Elena looked up at him with loving eyes.
"Sweet dreams, Son."
...
The villa slowly became quiet.
Lights turned off one after another.
Outside, the clouds drifted away, revealing a sky filled with stars.
Yet sleep refused to come easily to Miles.
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His thoughts wandered back to Clarissa.
No matter how many times he replayed today’s conversation...
The guilt remained.
He had learned how to pull the trigger without hesitation.
But No mission...
Had ever taught him how to deal with someone’s broken heart.
Power could not solve everything.
Money could not erase every pain.
Some lessons in life wounded the heart far more deeply than bullets ever could.
Clarissa had always been important to him.
Not as the woman he loved.
But as someone he respected.
Someone who had stood beside him when countless others could not.
He silently prayed...
That one day...
She would smile again without forcing herself.
And that when that day came...
She would still call him her friend.
...
The following morning...
Miles arrived at the port.
Clarissa had spent the night at the Ancient Warrior Order headquarters, observing the activities of the disciples.
Officially, that had been one of the reasons for her visit to Star Harbor.
Unofficially...
Perhaps she simply wanted to keep herself too busy to think.
Miles did not ask.
Some questions were better left unanswered.
Instead...
He simply became her guide for the day.
He took her into the city.
Not to luxurious places.
But to places where ordinary people laughed.
Street markets filled with music.
Small cafés hidden between old buildings.
Families walking together in parks.
Children chasing pigeons across the squares.
Clarissa quietly watched everything.
She rarely spoke.
Yet Miles noticed the curiosity in her eyes.
Later they challenged each other at an indoor archery range.
Clarissa’s first arrow struck almost perfectly in the center.
Miles sighed.
"I should’ve remembered who I was competing against."
She smiled proudly.
"You still have much to learn."
Their next stop was a rock climbing center.
That competition ended even worse for Miles.
Clarissa reached the top first.
Three times.
She crossed her arms confidently after climbing down.
"I win again."
Miles laughed helplessly.
"I surrender."
At noon...
They visited Atelier.
Elena personally came out of the kitchen to welcome Clarissa.
The lunch table was filled with carefully prepared dishes.
Clarissa was slightly overwhelmed.
"I don’t deserve this much."
Elena smiled warmly.
"Nonsense."
"You are our guest."
"And guests never leave my restaurant hungry."
For the first time that day...
Clarissa laughed naturally.
The afternoon passed with a movie neither of them paid much attention to because they spent most of it teasing each other about the plot.
Afterward they wandered through shopping streets.
Clarissa quietly bought gifts for several elders back at the island.
When evening arrived...
Miles drove toward the Ainsley Vineyard.
Originally...
He had planned to bring Dion.
But after everything that had happened...
He decided Clarissa needed this outing more , and also he knows how Clarissa like her alcohol.
The farmhouse welcomed them warmly.
Senior Ainsley personally poured drinks.
Joshua spent nearly the entire evening discussing business with Miles.
Rose quickly pulled Clarissa into conversation.
The two women surprisingly got along well.
Before long...
Rose had gained another friend.
Miles occasionally glanced toward Clarissa.
He wanted to make sure she wasn’t forcing herself.
Instead...
She seemed strangely relaxed.
Mostly because...
She had already accepted another glass of wine.
And another.
By sunset...
The Clan Supreme had thoroughly rediscovered her love for fine alcohol.
When it was finally time to leave...
Ren arrived to escort her back to the island.
Clarissa happily carried several bottles gifted by the Ainsley Family.
Ren simply looked at Miles.
Miles looked back.
Neither of them said a word.
Both silently accepted that this outcome was inevitable.
...
Night settled over Star Harbor.
Miles drove quietly through the glowing streets toward Pearl Villa.
His phone rested on speaker.
Chloe’s familiar voice filled the car.
"Do you think..."
"She was happy today?"
Miles thought for several seconds.
"She enjoyed herself."
"But..."
"I don’t think she was truly happy."
"I hope..."
"She moves forward."
"And lives the life she deserves."
Chloe smiled softly on the other end.
"I’ll pray for her."
Miles rested one hand on the steering wheel.
"I’m exhausted."
Chloe giggled.
"Hanging out with a strong woman is exhausting, isn’t it?"
Miles laughed.
"I don’t know what you’re implying..."
"But yes."
"It is."
"She can be unbelievably competitive."
"I lost three times in rock climbing."
Chloe burst into laughter.
"Serves you right."
"I finally found someone who can defeat my future husband."
Miles smiled as the city lights reflected across the windshield.
"I walked straight into that one."
Her cheerful laughter stayed with him for the rest of the drive home.
.....
The next day...
A quiet café across from Sterling Enterprises welcomed the gentle afternoon crowd.
Miles and Chloe sat beside the large glass window overlooking the busy streets of Star Harbor.
The towering Sterling Enterprises headquarters reflected the afternoon sunlight like a giant mirror.
Chloe slowly stirred her coffee.
"So..."
"Germany?"
Miles nodded.
"Yes."
"I’ll leave five days from now."
"I’ll be there for three days."
"After I return..."
"We’ll go to Paris together."
"And when we come back..."
He smiled warmly.
"We’ll finally get married."
Chloe rested her chin on her palm.
"It feels so far away."
"But somehow..."
"It also feels very close."
Miles tilted his head.
"What does that mean?"
She looked out the window.
"It feels far because you’ll be in Germany."
"But..."
"As our wedding gets closer..."
"My nights haven’t been very peaceful."
Miles looked concerned.
"Hm?"
"Trouble sleeping?"
Chloe smiled shyly.
"I keep getting lost in thoughts."
"About us."
"About our life after marriage."
Miles leaned back in his chair.
"What are you planning, Mrs. Future Sterling?"
Chloe immediately covered part of her face.
"I’m too embarrassed to tell you."
Miles laughed softly.
"Please don’t lose your sleep over it."
"Save some of those thoughts for daytime too."
"So you can daydream instead."
She sighed dramatically.
"It can’t be helped."
Miles smiled.
"Do I need to come over and personally make sure you sleep properly?"
She looked into his eyes.
"Would you?"
"If you allow me."
She smiled.
"You don’t need permission."
Miles nodded thoughtfully.
"Then..."
"Keep your window open tonight."
For a second...
Chloe froze.
Then her cheeks became bright red.
"W... why the window?"
Miles tried to keep a straight face.
"It’s more exciting."
She lightly kicked him under the table.
"You’ll always be yourself."
"I certainly hope so."
Both laughed together.
After a while Miles asked,
"How’s Grandpa enjoying Star Harbor?"
Chloe smiled immediately.
"He loves it."
"He even joined a yoga club."
Miles almost choked on his coffee.
"He did what?"
She laughed happily.
"I couldn’t believe it either."
"He says health is important."
Miles shook his head.
"The old man really wants to become a great grandfather before he dies."
"He literally said that."
The two burst into laughter again.
Just then...
Miles’ phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
"It’s June."
"I have to go."
Chloe looked toward the Sterling Enterprises building across the street.
"You should."
Miles stood up.
"Wait."
"I’ll ask someone to drop you home."
Chloe shook her head.
"No need."
"I’m going to work too."
"Lissy is coming to pick me up."
Miles looked surprised.
"I thought you were working from home."
She smiled mischievously.
"Working from home makes me lazy."
"That won’t be good after marriage."
Miles nodded seriously.
"Fair point."
"I think Alice must be very happy with that decision."
Chloe giggled.
"She really is."
Miles gently squeezed her hand.
"Take care."
"You too."
"I’ll see you tonight."
"Don’t tease me."
With one last smile...
Miles walked toward Sterling Enterprises.
...
A short while later...
He entered one of the company’s largest conference halls.
Hundreds of employees filled the seats.
An awareness program regarding workplace harassment prevention was already underway.
It was one of the mandatory compliance sessions required by government regulations.
Even a company with an excellent workplace culture was expected to conduct regular training.
June quietly walked beside him.
The trainer immediately paused the presentation.
As Miles stepped onto the stage...
The entire hall became silent.
He smiled.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
"Good afternoon, Chairman!"
The voices echoed together.
Miles looked around the hall.
"I know awareness sessions like these can feel a little boring."
Several employees laughed.
"But they’re important."
"Especially for our new colleagues."
"They teach us how to react during difficult situations."
"They remind us to respect one another."
"And most importantly..."
"They teach us how to be brave when something feels wrong."
He looked toward the audience.
"I hope your seniors have been treating all of you well."
The hall immediately erupted into loud cheers.
Miles blinked.
"No one sounded this excited while the trainer was speaking."
Even the trainer burst into laughter.
The entire hall followed.
The atmosphere instantly became relaxed.
Miles smiled.
"Since everyone seems awake now..."
"I’d like to share something."
"I’ve heard there are already plenty of rumors floating around the office."
"So let me officially confirm them."
He paused dramatically.
"I am getting married this month."
For a second...
The hall remained silent.
Then excitement exploded everywhere.
Applause.
Cheers.
Whistles.
Several younger employees stood up clapping enthusiastically.
Even employees sitting in the back smiled brightly.
Miles laughed.
"I also noticed something."
He pointed toward a section where many older employees sat.
"The married employees suddenly look worried."
The hall erupted into another wave of laughter.
One employee jokingly shouted,
"You will know once you get married, Chairman!"
Everyone laughed even harder.
Miles raised both hands dramatically.
"I have another announcement."
The hall instantly became quiet again.
"For the next forty five days..."
"If any Sterling Enterprises employee decides to get married..."
"I will personally sponsor the wedding."
For several seconds...
Nobody reacted.
Even June stared at him in complete surprise.
Then...
The hall exploded.
Employees cheered louder than before.
Some even stood up again.
The trainer himself started clapping.
June looked at Miles before smiling helplessly.
He simply shrugged.
Miles laughed.
"You won’t find another boss like me."
The cheering became even louder.
He raised a hand to calm everyone.
"I hope no one is sleepy anymore."
"So please..."
"Pay attention to today’s session."
"It might save someone’s future."
"Have a wonderful day, everyone."
As he stepped off the stage...
Employees continued congratulating him.
Many thanked him for the wedding announcement.
Some younger staff were already joking with each other about getting married before the forty five days ended.
Walking through the hallway...
June finally let out a long sigh.
"Boss..."
Miles looked at her.
"What?"
"I believe happiness becomes more meaningful when it’s shared."
June smiled.
"I’ll admit..."
"You’ve officially ended every rumor in the company."
"That was necessary."
Miles nodded thoughtfully.
"People don’t really need the internet."
"They become the internet themselves."
"They spread information much faster than any network."
June covered her mouth as she laughed.
"I really can’t argue with that."