Chapter 388: Poet!!
The living room floor was covered with gift boxes of different shapes and sizes.
Some were large.
Some were tiny.
Some looked expensive enough to buy a house.
Others were clearly handmade.
Miles sat cross legged beside Chloe while Hope and Asher enthusiastically helped sort everything.
Monica sat nearby with a cup of tea in her hands, smiling as she watched the chaos unfold.
After dinner, everyone looked relaxed.
Asher pointed dramatically at a brightly wrapped package.
"I will open this one. Me. Me. Me. Sister in law, can I please?"
Chloe immediately smiled.
"Yes. My little brother can open it."
Asher jumped excitedly.
"Thank you!"
Hope rolled her eyes.
"Such a crybaby."
"I am not."
"You are."
"I am not."
"You are."
Miles chuckled while Monica hid her smile behind her cup.
Meanwhile Hope carefully helped Chloe separate ribbons and wrapping paper.
The gifts around them were becoming quite an impressive collection.
There were expensive dining sets.
Designer watches.
Luxury artwork.
Handmade crafts.
Rare wines.
Jewelry.
Decorative antiques.
And enough envelopes to make an accountant cry tears of joy.
Suddenly Asher froze.
His eyes became huge.
"Big brooo."
"Hmm?"
"What is this?"
Miles looked over.
Asher was holding a tiny folded sweater.
Miles blinked.
"A sweater?"
He picked it up.
Then looked at it again.
Then looked again.
His eyebrows slowly rose.
"Isn’t this too small?"
He scratched his head.
Chloe immediately understood.
Her cheeks turned pink.
"I think that’s a baby sweater."
Miles turned toward her.
"What?"
He looked back at the tiny sweater.
Then at Chloe.
Then at the sweater again.
"What?"
Hope burst into laughter.
Monica almost choked.
"You married only yesterday."
Asher looked confused.
"What happened?"
Miles pointed at the sweater.
"Who gave this?"
Asher handed over a small card.
"Here."
Miles opened the note.
The moment he began reading, a helpless smile appeared on his face.
He read aloud.
"I know you have everything. I thought about it a lot. But I really couldn’t find a suitable gift for you."
Chloe immediately smiled.
"It sounds like sister Flora."
Miles continued.
"Recently I started learning knitting. This is the first piece I knitted."
Hope’s eyes widened.
"She made it herself?"
Miles nodded.
Then continued reading.
"Also, I learned some cooking from Aunt Elena. If you two agree, we would like to host you someday."
A small laugh escaped Chloe.
Miles continued toward the final line.
"I hope the gift comes handy soon."
Then he reached the signature.
"Flora."
He paused.
Then read the final message.
"Dion has no involvement in this. Punish him."
The entire room burst into laughter.
Even Monica laughed openly.
"Poor Dion."
Chloe gently touched the tiny sweater.
"She is so sweet."
Miles shook his head.
"She is clearly teasing us."
"Don’t say that."
"She absolutely is."
Asher stared at the sweater.
Then innocently asked,
"Who is this for, Big Bro?"
Miles pointed at the sweater.
"A baby."
Asher nodded seriously.
"A new baby?"
"Yes."
"Our new baby brother?"
The room instantly became silent.
Miles nearly coughed himself to death.
Hope covered her face.
Monica started laughing again.
Chloe leaned against the couch trying to control herself.
Asher looked around innocently.
"What?"
Hope immediately corrected him.
"How can it be our baby brother?"
Asher blinked.
"Huh?"
"She will be our niece."
"Oh."
Then he thought for a moment.
"Then why can’t it be a boy?"
Hope crossed her arms.
"Why can’t it be a girl?"
Asher looked shocked.
"Oh."
Miles raised both hands.
"Wait. Wait. Wait."
The twins looked at him.
"My cute little siblings."
"Yes?"
"Who is teaching you all these things?"
Asher immediately answered.
"Mom."
Miles froze.
"What?"
Hope nodded and pointed
"One day Mom said if you have a baby, we have to help take care of it."
Asher nodded seriously.
"Just like you take care of us."
Chloe completely lost control and started laughing.
Hope pointed at Miles again.
"Big brooo."
"What?"
"Your face is red."
Miles looked toward the ceiling.
"I lost."
Monica laughed.
"So completely defeated."
Miles pointed dramatically toward nowhere.
"Flora."
Chloe laughed harder.
"Calm down."
"She started this."
Chloe carefully folded the tiny sweater.
"We are keeping it."
Miles sighed.
"Fine."
Then he pointed toward the final unopened package.
"Last one."
Everyone immediately looked toward it.
The box was not large.
But it was elegant.
Heavy.
And wrapped far more carefully than the others.
Chloe tilted her head.
"It must be Grandpa Gordon’s gift."
Miles nodded.
"I wonder what’s inside."
Then he remembered something.
"Silvey said he was looking for something special."
"He was."
"And she mentioned martial artists."
Hope gasped dramatically.
"What if it’s a sword?"
Asher’s eyes sparkled.
"What if it’s a dragon?"
Miles laughed.
"I don’t think Grandpa Gordon gifted us a dragon."
Just then a familiar voice came from the doorway.
"No. Nothing dangerous there."
Everyone turned.
David stood there smiling.
"Uncle David."
Miles waved.
"Come and sit with us."
David walked and sat beside the twins.
Asher immediately climbed beside him.
"Uncle David."
"Yes?"
"What’s inside?"
David smiled.
"Let your Big Bro open it."
Miles carefully removed the wrapping.
Inside was an elegant jade box.
The moment it appeared, everyone became curious.
Monica leaned forward.
Chloe’s eyes widened.
"It looks expensive."
"It definitely is."
Miles carefully opened the lid.
The moment the box opened, the room became silent.
Resting inside was a beautiful hairpin.
It seemed almost unreal.
The craftsmanship was exquisite.
Silver and gold details flowed together like liquid moonlight.
Small jade ornaments reflected the room’s warm lighting.
The entire piece looked elegant and timeless.
Chloe’s eyes sparkled instantly.
"It’s so pretty."
Miles carefully lifted it.
"It feels valuable."
David nodded.
"It is."
Miles looked toward him.
"What exactly is it?"
David smiled.
"According to family records, a famous Chinese poet once placed this hairpin upon a princess."
Everyone listened quietly.
David continued.
"It became a symbol of unconditional love."
Chloe gently held her hands together.
"That’s beautiful."
David nodded.
"It’s also an old family tradition."
Miles listened carefully.
"When a new daughter in law joins the family, the elders gift her jewelry."
Miles looked down at the hairpin.
"This isn’t jewelry."
"Hmm?"
"This is an artifact."
Then Miles looked toward Chloe.
"Turn around."
A beautiful smile appeared on Chloe’s face.
Without hesitation she turned.
Hope suddenly jumped up.
"I have something."
She ran away and returned carrying a comb.
She proudly handed it over.
Miles accepted it.
"Thank you."
Hope looked very proud.
Miles carefully combed Chloe’s hair.
His movements were surprisingly gentle.
Monica looked surprised.
Slowly he gathered her hair into a neat low ponytail.
The room became quiet.
Then Miles softly spoke.
"The cosmos fractures.
Your gravity pulls me inward.
My deepest shadows dissolve.
We merge beyond mortal time.
Language loses its meaning entirely.
I exist only within your warmth."
The room became silent.
Even the twins stopped moving.
Then Miles gently placed the hairpin into Chloe’s hair.
The elegant ornament settled perfectly.
As though it had always belonged there.
Chloe slowly placed both hands over her heart.
Then she turned around.
Hope immediately appeared beside her carrying a hand mirror.
"Look!"
Chloe looked into the mirror.
For a moment she simply stared.
The hairpin looked stunning against her dark hair.
Her eyes softened.
"I love it."
Miles smiled.
"So pretty."
Chloe looked at him through the mirror.
Then narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Wait."
"Hmm?"
"How do you know how to do hair?"
Miles smiled innocently.
"No idea."
"Liar."
"And was that poetry?"
A smile appeared on Miles’ face.
He looked directly at her.
"From this poet to his princess."
For a second nobody spoke.
Then everyone collectively melted.
"Awwww."
Hope held her cheeks.
"So romantic."
Asher nodded seriously.
David slowly lowered his phone.
Miles immediately looked at him.
"Uncle."
David grinned.
"Yes?"
"You recorded that."
"Absolutely."
Miles covered his face.
"Why?"
"Because Father is going to love this."
Chloe laughed softly.
Then she touched the hairpin once more.
Her fingers moved over the delicate craftsmanship.
The smile on her face became gentler.
"It’s a very precious gift."
Hope was carefully helping Chloe organize the presents.
Then Monica’s phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen.
The smile on her face faded slightly.
"Boss, it’s Charles. He has a message for you."
Miles immediately looked up.
Charles rarely interrupted at night without a reason.
Especially not after being assigned a sensitive investigation.
Miles reached for the phone.
"Excuse me for a moment."
Monica nodded.
Meanwhile Chloe continued chatting with Hope and Asher.
Miles stepped away from the group and walked toward the large window overlooking the gardens.
He opened the message.
A video file.
His expression slowly hardened.
The screen showed a news broadcast.
The voice of the anchor echoed through the phone.
"Few minutes ago, a large explosion occurred near the United Nations Headquarters in New York."
Footage appeared.
Emergency vehicles.
Smoke.
Police barricades.
People running.
The anchor continued.
"Several maintenance and cleaning staff members were injured during the incident. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported so far."
Miles watched silently.
"Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blast. While officials have not confirmed whether this was an accident or a terrorist attack, witnesses have reported seeing an armored truck leaving the area shortly before the explosion."
The footage switched again.
A blurry image of a truck.
Police lights flashing in the background.
"The investigation remains ongoing."
The report ended.
Miles immediately dialed Charles.
The call connected almost instantly.
"Boss."
Miles’ voice became serious.
"Was it the WEB?"
There was a brief silence.
Then Charles answered.
"The license plate on that armored truck was previously registered to a car that entered Horizon Biotech Headquarters a few days ago."
Miles narrowed his eyes.
"The same number?"
"Yes."
Charles continued.
"We verified it through multiple recordings."
Miles slowly looked out toward the dark lawn.
"This isn’t a coincidence."
"No."
Charles sounded equally serious.
"Furthermore, we spotted Princess Thea."
Miles froze.
"What?"
"A vehicle arrived at Horizon Biotech shortly after the incident."
Charles took a breath.
"Thea was among the people who exited the car."
Miles’ expression changed.
"What are you saying?"
"One of the men accompanying her was driving the car that day."
Miles remained silent for several seconds.
His mind immediately rejected the possibility.
"Thea?"
Charles waited.
Miles shook his head.
"No."
He spoke quietly.
"She would never do something like that on her own."
"I know."
Miles continued.
"She doesn’t take field assignments."
"Exactly."
Charles agreed.
"Unless she was ordered directly."
Miles closed his eyes.
"By the leader of the WEB."
"That is my conclusion as well."
The silence that followed felt heavy.
Miles slowly opened his eyes again.
"Why attack the United Nations?"
"We don’t know."
Charles answered honestly.
"But there is more."
Miles listened.
"A large container was brought in by men with Thea."
"It was taken directly into Horizon Biotech Headquarters."
Miles immediately understood.
His eyes widened slightly.
"So it wasn’t the attack itself."
"No."
Charles agreed.
"The explosion was likely a distraction."
Miles finished the thought.
"A heist."
"Everything points toward that conclusion."
Miles rubbed his forehead.
"They’ve started."
"I think so too."
Charles lowered his voice.
"There is one more thing."
Miles immediately focused.
"What?"
"Ren."
Miles straightened.
"What about him?"
"He entered Horizon Biotech Headquarters."
Miles blinked.
"He did what?"
"He went in disguised."
For the first time since the call started, a faint smile appeared on Miles’ face.
"That idiot."
Charles chuckled.
"He literally walked in."
Miles shook his head.
"Brave."
"Or reckless."
"Probably both."
Charles laughed.
Miles looked toward the sky.
"Then we should get information soon."
"Hopefully."
"Keep monitoring everything."
"Understood."
"And continue trying to contact Thea."
"We already are."
Miles nodded.
"Good."
The call ended.
For several seconds he remained standing alone.
Miles slowly exhaled.
Then adjusted his expression.
He could not bring panic into the house.
He returned .
The moment Chloe saw him, she smiled.
"Everything alright?"
Miles smiled back.
A calm smile.
A practiced smile.
"All good."
Chloe looked unconvinced.
But before she could ask further, Miles continued.
"Great Uncle was calling me."
"Oh."
"I’ll be back."
Chloe nodded.
"Okay."
Hope waved.
"We will pack everything."
Asher proudly raised the baby sweater.
"We will protect the baby clothes."
Miles groaned.
Monica laughed.
David looked toward him.
"All three old men are outside in the lawn."
Miles nodded.
"Thanks, Uncle."
Without wasting another moment, he headed outside.
The evening air felt colder than before.
The lawn was quiet.
Near the garden pavilion sat three elderly men.
Timothy.
Gordon.
And Lucian.
They appeared to be discussing something serious.
The moment Miles approached, all three looked up.
Timothy immediately noticed his expression.
"What’s wrong?"
Miles walked directly toward them.
No greeting.
No smile.
Just a question.
"What is she doing?"
Lucian frowned.
"What?"
"Thea."
The old man’s face changed instantly.
A brief hesitation.
Small.
Almost invisible.
But Miles saw it.
"You don’t know where she is, right?"
Lucian became silent.
Uncertainty appeared on his face.
"I..."
Before he could continue, Timothy raised a hand.
"Calm down, son."
Miles looked at him.
Timothy’s expression remained composed.
"Tell us what happened."
Miles took a deep breath.
Then spoke.
"I know you three are discussing something."
No one answered.
"I know it involves the WEB."
Timothy’s eyes widened slightly.
Gordon looked surprised.
Lucian looked away.
Miles continued.
"And I know there are things none of you have told me."
The silence grew heavier.
Then Lucian finally spoke.
"Is this about Thea?"
Miles nodded.
"There was an explosion near the United Nations Headquarters in New York."
The three elderly men immediately reacted.
Lucian straightened.
"What?"
Timothy frowned deeply.
"A bombing?"
Gordon looked equally shocked.
Lucian looked disturbed.
"Who did it?"
Miles stared directly at him.
"We found evidence."
The old man became completely still.
Miles continued.
"Thea was involved."
Lucian’s face instantly lost color.
"What?"
His voice barely came out.
"That’s impossible."
Miles said nothing.
Lucian shook his head.
"No."
He stood up abruptly.
"No."
His breathing became uneven.
"Thea would never do something like that."
His voice became louder.
"She would tell me."
The others remained silent.
Lucian looked genuinely shaken.
"She never acts without informing me first."
Miles watched him carefully.
"What are the casualties?"
"No deaths."
"But innocent people were injured."
Lucian closed his eyes.
Relief appeared briefly.
But only briefly.
Then confusion returned.
"Why?"
Miles took a step closer.
"That’s exactly what I want to know."
The old man looked at him.
Miles’ voice became firmer.
"Tell me the truth."
Lucian remained silent.
"Grandmaster."
Nothing.
Miles looked toward Timothy.
Then Gordon.
Then back at Lucian.
"What are you hiding?"
The wind passed through the trees.
No one spoke.
Miles looked at the three elderly men.
"The threat coming toward us..."
He paused.
Then finished quietly.
"...is something none of you have ever expected."
Silence filled the lawn.
And as the four men stood beneath the night sky, each of them realized the same thing.
Whatever had happened in New York...
Was only the beginning.
To be continued...
[A/N : Fun fact- Noctistt is a Poet too]