Chapter 439: Touch some grass!!!
Pearl Villa.
Saturday morning.
The living room was unusually lively for a weekend.
Actually, most people were busy.
Monica had already left for work.
Chloe had gone early to the Star Harbor Convention Center.
Daniel was at The Atelier.
Hope and Asher were at school for their shorter Saturday schedule.
And in the middle of all that activity...
Two grown men had occupied the biggest television in the house.
Game sounds filled the living room.
Miles leaned forward on the couch, controller in both hands.
"What was that move?"
Beside him, Nick grinned.
"Haha!"
His character landed another hit.
"Got you!"
Miles stared at the screen.
"You’ve been hiding that combination."
"Skill issue."
"Don’t start."
Nick laughed loudly.
From the dining area, Elena looked toward them.
"How long are you two planning to sit in front of that television?"
Neither answered.
Elena continued,
"You’re going to strain your eyes."
Miles immediately pointed toward Nick without looking away from the screen.
"He lives in front of screens."
Nick looked offended.
"You’re blaming me because you’re losing?"
"I’m not losing."
The screen flashed.
Miles’ character dropped.
Nick raised both hands.
"You literally lost."
Miles narrowed his eyes.
"Come on."
He selected the next option.
"One more game decides it."
Nick leaned back proudly.
"You bet."
Elena sighed.
There was absolutely no point.
The moment someone said one more game, there would probably be five.
Still...
A smile appeared on her face.
A day back, she had watched Miles stand in a hall filled with some of the most important military officers and leaders in Haven.
A medal had been placed on his uniform.
Generals had saluted him.
The President himself had praised him.
Miles had stood there with an authority that made even senior officers listen carefully.
And now...
Barely a day later...
He was sitting cross-legged on the couch, arguing over a video game with his friend.
Complaining about cheating.
Demanding rematches.
Looking exactly his age.
Elena liked this Miles.
"Take that!"
Nick shouted.
Miles pressed several buttons quickly.
Then froze.
His character collapsed again.
The result appeared.
Nick won.
Miles stared at the screen.
For several seconds...
Silence.
Then he placed the controller down.
"Okay."
Nick turned dramatically.
"What?"
"You won."
Nick blinked.
"That’s it?"
"Yes."
"Where’s the excuse?"
"No excuse."
Nick looked disappointed.
"You’re boring."
Miles leaned back.
"Whatever."
Nick threw the controller beside him.
Then looked around the house.
"Why is everyone working today?"
Miles looked toward him.
"It’s Saturday."
"I know."
"Then why are half the people I met this morning already working?"
Miles picked up his glass of water.
"Sterling Launchpad begins in two days."
Nick remembered.
"Right."
"Monday."
Miles nodded.
"A lot of important guests are arriving."
"Teams are already checking in."
He took a sip.
"There are hundreds of participants."
"Final arrangements have to be done before tomorrow night."
Nick slowly nodded.
"So..."
"Everyone’s working overtime."
"Pretty much."
Nick stared at him.
"You are a cruel boss."
Miles looked toward him.
Then chuckled.
Nick immediately leaned away.
"Was that an evil laugh?"
Miles smiled.
"Cruel boss?"
He stood.
"Come."
Nick looked confused.
"Where?"
Miles stretched his arms.
"Let’s find out."
"Where are we going?"
"Office."
Nick immediately stood.
Then looked down at himself.
He was wearing a loose T-shirt and comfortable pants.
"Wait."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"I need to change."
"Why?"
Nick looked personally offended.
"Because I’m going outside."
Miles stared.
"Are you a girl or what?"
Nick placed a hand against his chest.
"Do you know the value of this face?"
Miles nodded seriously.
"Of course."
Nick seemed satisfied.
Miles added,
"That’s why I’m worried about it."
Nick stared.
Miles smiled.
"Go."
Nick rushed toward the guest room.
Elena watched him disappear.
"Such a sweet boy."
Miles slowly turned toward his mother.
"Sweet?"
Elena looked at him.
Miles nodded.
"Yes."
"Very sweet."
He looked toward the corridor Nick had disappeared into.
"Lots of honey bees around him too."
Elena frowned.
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
Miles immediately looked innocent.
"Nothing."
"Son??."
He smiled.
"Are you staying home today, Mom?"
Elena gave him a look for changing the subject.
But she let it go.
"For now."
Miles sat on the armrest of the couch.
She looked toward the clock.
"Hope and Asher will come home early today."
Miles nodded.
"I know."
"I’ll feed them lunch first."
"Then I’m going to the beach property with some of the staff."
Miles smiled.
"You can go now."
Elena looked toward him.
"They’re growing up."
"They can eat lunch themselves."
Elena smiled faintly.
"I know."
She walked closer.
"But sometimes..."
"I just want to sit with them."
Miles listened.
"Ask about school."
Miles laughed.
Elena continued,
"When I’m at the restaurant..."
"I miss those small conversations."
Miles’ expression softened.
"Right."
Then he smiled.
"You’re so sweet, Mom."
Elena immediately turned it back on him.
"You can share your day with me too."
Miles blinked.
"My day?"
"Yes."
"You rarely do."
"Mom..."
He smiled awkwardly.
"My days are boring."
Elena laughed.
"Don’t give me excuses."
"They are."
"You just do things normal people don’t do and call them boring."
Miles looked offended.
"I am normal."
Elena stared.
Miles nodded confidently.
"Completely normal."
"Of course."
She smiled.
"Just too much of Edward’s genes in you."
Miles paused.
Then chuckled.
"Sterling for a reason."
His expression became more curious.
"Was he really like this?"
Elena looked toward him.
"Your father?"
"Yeah."
Elena smiled almost immediately.
Memories returned.
"Yes."
"Very much."
Miles leaned slightly forward.
"Really?"
"Before we married..."
Elena laughed softly.
"He was just a boy."
Miles smiled.
"You were too."
"Of course."
She nodded.
"But Edward was far more mischievous than me."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"How bad?"
Elena thought for a moment.
Then started laughing.
"One day..."
"He found out the school planned to call his father."
Miles grinned already.
"For what?"
"I don’t even remember what he had done."
"Probably something stupid."
"Sounds right."
Elena continued,
"He knew the teachers were going to complain."
"So..."
She paused.
Miles waited.
"He took his father’s phone to school."
Miles stared.
"What?"
Elena laughed.
Elena continued,
"His logic was simple."
"If the school called..."
"The phone would be with him."
Miles burst out laughing.
"He actually did that?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"Father missed important calls for most of the day."
Miles covered his mouth.
Elena laughed with him.
"When everyone finally found out..."
"Edward was scolded so badly."
Miles leaned back.
"I wish I could’ve seen that."
Elena’s laughter faded into a warm smile.
She looked at her son.
"You are like him."
Miles’ smile slowly softened.
For a second...
He didn’t say anything.
Then,
"Mom."
"Yes?"
Miles thought.
"How about I cook dinner tonight?"
Elena blinked.
"You?"
Miles stared.
"Why did you say it like that?"
She smiled.
"I’m asking."
"Yes."
He nodded.
"I’ll cook."
"For everyone."
Elena looked surprised.
"Aren’t you busy?"
Miles shook his head.
"They won’t let me do much anyway."
"They’re all working hard this weekend."
He smiled.
"So maybe I can at least make dinner."
Elena’s expression became warm.
"That’s sweet of you."
Then she nodded.
"Alright."
"I’m looking forward to it."
A voice came from the hallway.
"Me too."
Miles closed his eyes.
Nick had returned.
He had changed into a fitted jacket, casual shirt, clean sneakers and sunglasses hanging from the collar.
Miles looked him over.
"Since when does the junk-food eater care about real food?"
Nick stared.
Elena immediately hid her laugh.
"That’s not fair."
Nick walked toward Elena dramatically.
"Aunt Elena."
He pointed toward Miles.
"Look at how he treats me."
Miles folded his arms.
Nick continued,
"I treat him like a brother."
Elena turned.
"Miles."
Miles sighed.
"Yes, yes."
He looked at Nick.
"My beloved brother."
Nick narrowed his eyes.
Miles smiled.
"Come on."
"I’ll buy you a lollipop on the way."
Nick’s expression immediately changed.
"Yay."
Elena laughed.
Miles headed toward the door.
"See you, Mom."
Nick waved.
"See you, Aunt Elena."
"Have fun."
The door closed.
Elena looked at the empty living room.
Then sighed.
"Really..."
She smiled to herself.
"Kids."
...
A few minutes later.
A sports car moved through the streets of Star Harbor.
Miles was driving.
Nick sat beside him, looking around the interior.
"This car is cool."
Miles smiled.
"I’m not letting you drive it."
Nick turned.
"I didn’t ask."
"You were going to."
Nick thought for a second.
"Maybe."
Miles nodded.
"Exactly."
"Why not?"
"Your father will scold me."
Nick laughed.
"He won’t."
"He’ll just scold me more."
Nick relaxed into the seat.
"At least Secret Service isn’t following us."
Miles said nothing.
Nick looked toward him.
Then slowly frowned.
"They aren’t..."
Miles kept driving.
Nick sat straighter.
"Are they?"
Miles smiled.
"Three agents around us."
Nick immediately looked through the window.
"Where?"
Miles didn’t answer.
Nick checked the mirrors.
Vehicles.
Motorcycles.
Pedestrians.
Nothing obvious.
"How do you even know that?"
Miles shrugged.
"Instinct."
Nick stared at him.
"That’s not an answer."
"It’s the only one you’re getting."
Nick leaned back.
"You are genuinely scary."
Miles smiled.
Nick sighed.
"Apparently the only place I can beat you is games."
Miles laughed.
"It’s good you’ve finally realized your position."
"Alright."
Nick pointed toward the road ahead.
"Don’t become arrogant."
Miles continued driving.
A few minutes passed.
Then Nick frowned.
"Wait."
Miles glanced toward him.
"This isn’t the road to Cinder Square."
"No."
"Your office is in the opposite direction."
"Correct."
Nick looked ahead.
"Then where are we going?"
"City Center."
Nick thought.
Miles added,
"Star Harbor Convention Center."
"SHCC?"
"Yes."
Nick’s eyes widened slightly.
"You’re hosting Launchpad there?"
Miles glanced at him.
"Why are you even here?"
Nick stared.
Miles continued,
"You came for Launchpad."
"You don’t know where Launchpad is."
Nick sighed.
"To be honest..."
He leaned his head back.
"My mom forced me to come."
Miles laughed.
"That explains everything."
Nick imitated Catherine’s voice.
"’Stop livestreaming.’"
"’Go outside.’"
"’Learn something.’"
Then,
"’Touch some grass.’"
Miles nearly laughed again.
"She actually said that?"
"Yes."
Nick looked offended.
"To the President’s son."
Miles nodded seriously.
"Tragic."
Nick stared.
"You’re enjoying this."
"Very much."
...
Star Harbor Convention Center.
SHCC.
The enormous complex in City Center had been completely reserved by the Sterling Foundation for two weeks.
The main Sterling Launchpad event itself would last seven days.
But preparation began long before it.
By Saturday, the transformation was nearly complete.
Large digital displays had been installed across the entrance.
Directional boards marked different halls.
INNOVATION LAB
MENTORSHIP ZONE
FOUNDER STAGE
WORKSHOP HALL
MAIN AUDITORIUM
PITCH ARENA
Temporary registration counters stretched across one section of the lobby.
Large Launchpad branding covered the walls.
Technicians moved equipment.
Interior crews adjusted lighting.
Workers tested screens.
Sound teams checked microphones.
Digital displays cycled through schedules and welcome animations.
Even the normally plain walkways had been turned into networking spaces with temporary seating and presentation displays.
Miles slowed as they entered.
Nick looked around.
"Did you buy this place or something?"
Miles stared at the transformation.
"I wonder."
Nick laughed.
Miles looked toward the ceiling.
"They changed the entire place in a few days."
"Looks expensive."
"It probably is."
"That’s your answer?"
"I stopped checking when Monica told me the Foundation budget."
Nick laughed.
They continued inside.
People nearby slowly began noticing them.
Or more accurately...
Nick.
Whispers started.
"Wait."
"Is that Nicholas Abbott?"
"No way."
"Why would he be here?"
"It looks like him."
"That’s definitely him."
"Who’s the guy with him?"
Nick’s lips curved into a satisfied smirk.
Miles saw it.
"Don’t."
Nick adjusted his jacket.
"My face value."
Miles sighed.
"Let’s go."
Nick followed.
"Where?"
"Operations floor."
They walked toward the elevators.
Nick glanced back at several people still looking.
Then he frowned.
"How come they don’t recognize you?"
Miles pressed the elevator button.
"They aren’t my employees."
"So?"
"They were hired for interior work."
Nick stared at him.
"What does that have to do with knowing Miles Sterling?"
The elevator opened.
Miles stepped inside.
"I don’t like honey bees."
Nick followed.
"What does that even mean?"
Miles looked toward him.
"Maybe we should reveal Seven Tailed Fox during Launchpad."
Nick’s expression immediately changed.
Miles smiled.
"Imagine the headlines."
"No."
"The President’s Son Secretly One of Haven’s Biggest Gamers."
"No."
"Seven Tailed Fox Finally Reveals Face."
Nick held up one hand.
"I’ll pass."
Miles leaned casually against the wall.
"What happened to the face-value thing?"
Nick sighed.
"If my dad finds out..."
"He’ll ground me."
Miles stared.
"You’re twenty-three."
"That won’t stop him."
"Fair."
Nick continued,
"All my gaming accounts."
"Streams."
"Tournaments."
"Everything."
Miles smiled.
"Touch some grass."
Nick pointed toward him.
"Don’t start."
The elevator doors opened.
...
Operations floor.
The difference was immediate.
The entire floor was busy.
Dozens of Sterling Foundation employees moved between workstations.
Large planning boards covered several walls.
Participant lists.
Guest schedules.
Transportation plans.
Security arrangements.
Emergency contacts.
Panel assignments.
Hotel allocations.
Venue maps.
Hundreds of tiny details that most Launchpad participants would never see.
Phones rang.
Printers worked continuously.
People moved carrying tablets, files and boxes.
Yet there wasn’t panic.
Busy.
But organized.
Nick slowly looked around.
"Okay."
Miles smiled.
"What?"
"This is bigger than I expected."
A familiar woman noticed them from across the floor.
June.
She immediately walked over.
"Boss?"
Then she saw Nick.
"Mr. Nicholas."
Nick smiled.
"Hello."
June looked back at Miles.
"What are you doing here?"
Miles put his hands into his pockets.
"Just looking around."
Then,
"Need any help?"
June’s answer came instantly.
"No."
Miles stared.
"You didn’t even think."
"We’re fine."
June smiled.
"You being here is enough."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"It makes everyone more energetic."
As if proving her point...
An employee passing them noticed Miles.
"Good morning, Mr. Chairman."
Miles smiled.
"Good morning."
He looked toward the folders in the man’s hands.
"How’s everything going?"
"Very smooth."
The employee smiled.
Miles laughed.
"Good."
The man continued,
"I’m really excited to be part of this."
"I can’t wait for Monday."
Miles nodded.
"Keep up the good work."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman."
He left.
A few steps later...
Another employee greeted them.
Then another.
"Morning, Chairman."
"Good morning."
"Hello, Boss."
"Everything alright?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good."
Nick watched.
There was something different about the way people greeted Miles.
Not fear.
Not forced politeness.
Most actually smiled.
One woman walking past even quickly said,
"Chairman, we’re winning the overtime dinner argument today."
Miles stopped.
"What argument?"
June immediately said,
"Keep walking."
The employee laughed and escaped.
Miles looked suspiciously toward June.
"What argument?"
"Nothing."
Nick began laughing.
After several more greetings, he finally leaned toward Miles.
"I take it back."
Miles looked at him.
"What?"
"The cruel boss thing."
Miles smiled proudly.
"Thank you."
Then Nick noticed Miles’ eyes move across the floor.
Toward one particular corner.
Nick followed his gaze.
Chloe.
She was standing beside a large planning display, speaking with several employees.
Hair tied back.
Completely focused.
She moved between presentation screens, checked something with a staff member, then pointed toward one of the schedules.
Nick smiled.
"Oh."
Miles looked toward him.
"What?"
Nick grinned.
"Nothing."
Miles ignored him.
"Thanks to her, I guess."
Nick looked toward Chloe.
Chloe finally noticed them.
She stopped mid-conversation.
A bright smile immediately appeared.
She raised one hand and waved.
Miles smiled back.
Then waved.
Nick looked between the two of them.
"Newlyweds."
Miles ignored him.
"June."
"Yes?"
"Mic."
June blinked.
"What?"
"The announcement system."
She immediately understood.
"One second."
June walked to a nearby control station.
Several employees noticed Miles moving toward the central floor area.
June returned with a wireless microphone.
"Here."
She checked the controls.
"Speakers are on."
Miles tapped the microphone lightly.
A soft sound came through the entire floor.
Conversations gradually stopped.
People turned.
Chloe looked curious.
Miles raised the microphone.
"Hello, everyone."
The floor became quiet.
"Sorry for disturbing you."
A few employees smiled.
Miles continued,
"Can I have a moment?"
Everyone was already looking.
Miles glanced around at the busy operations floor.
The tired faces.
Coffee cups.
Open laptops.
Schedules.
People who had sacrificed their Saturday because the Launchpad had grown far bigger than anyone had originally expected.
Miles smiled.
"I just wanted to say thank you."
Several employees exchanged glances.
"For coming in on the weekend."
"For working overtime."
"And especially for doing it on such short notice."
He looked around.
"I know Launchpad begins in two days."
"And I know all of you are trying to make sure hundreds of people walk in here on Monday and never realize how much chaos happened behind the scenes."
A few people laughed.
Miles smiled.
"So..."
"I won’t give you a long speech."
Relieved laughter came from somewhere in the back.
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"I heard that."
More laughter.
He continued,
"But lunch is on me today."
That immediately earned louder reactions.
Someone clapped.
Miles laughed.
"I’ll order takeout for everyone."
"Whatever the teams decide."
"Within reason."
Another voice called,
"No budget limit, Chairman?"
Miles immediately replied,
"June has a budget."
June nodded proudly.
Everyone laughed again.
Miles looked toward Nick.
His smile changed.
"And..."
"My friend Nicholas Abbott..."
Nick’s expression froze.
Miles continued,
"...would also like to say a few words to all of you."
Nick slowly turned toward him.
"Hun?"