Chapter 381: The Cutest Entry!!
The gentle tap of a microphone echoed through the speakers.
The conversations spread across the lawn slowly faded.
One by one, the guests turned their attention toward the stage.
The younger guests settled into their chairs. The elders stopped their conversations. Even the children who had been running around the garden paused to see what was happening.
On the stage, Dion adjusted his bow tie.
He looked at the enormous gathering before him, cleared his throat and brought the microphone closer.
"Greetings, everyone."
His voice carried across the entire lawn.
"For those who don’t know me, my name is Dion."
He paused for a moment.
"Just Dion."
A few people smiled.
"A man without a last name. A man without an identity."
Flora, sitting among the guests, smiled proudly.
Dion glanced toward her.
"And yet, somehow, I managed to get married to the love of my life at this very place a few months ago."
The younger crowd immediately cheered.
Dion laughed.
"And I am going to be a father soon."
The cheers became even louder.
Flora covered her face for a moment, embarrassed by the attention.
Dion raised both hands.
"Thank you. Thank you. Please save some of that energy for the groom."
The laughter slowly settled.
Dion looked toward the audience again.
"As I said, I don’t have an identity."
He smiled.
"And honestly, I don’t need one."
His expression became softer.
"Miles is my childhood friend."
He paused.
"We are sworn brothers for life."
The atmosphere became quieter.
Dion continued.
"Most of you probably know the story of the old Sterling Empire."
Several of the older guests nodded.
"When Miles’ grandfather, Timothy Sterling, first set his foot in this very land, he opened opportunities for thousands of residents of Star Harbor."
Dion looked toward the older members of the Sterling family.
"Many people in this city owe their lives, their businesses and their futures to the foundation he built."
Gordon’s expression became proud.
Elena smiled quietly.
Calum watched the stage with a faint smile.
"Decades ago, Timothy Sterling disappeared."
Dion’s voice became more serious.
"Soon after that, his son, Edward Sterling, passed away in an unfortunate incident."
The garden became completely silent.
"The Sterling Empire slowly lost its place in Star Harbor."
He paused.
"But it never truly disappeared."
Dion looked around.
"It remained in the hearts of the people."
Gordon lowered his gaze for a moment.
"Then came another tragedy."
Dion’s voice softened.
"Miles was kidnapped."
Several guests already knew the story.
Some had heard fragments.
Others had learned about it only recently.
"The last remaining blood of the Sterling family left this city."
Dion took a slow breath.
"When I met Miles..."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"He was a little boy."
His eyes became distant.
"Under the harshest circumstances, he was still gentle."
"He was innocent."
"He couldn’t even remember his own name."
Several guests looked toward Elena.
She gently held Daniel’s hand.
"Life was difficult for him."
Dion continued.
"But he survived."
"He struggled."
"He worked."
"And somehow, through countless hardships, Miles Sterling found his way back home after seventeen years."
His voice grew stronger.
"And just like his grandfather before him..."
"He rebuilt what had been lost."
"Only this time, he built something even greater."
The applause began before Dion had even finished.
He smiled.
"When I say that I have no identity, I don’t feel ashamed."
He placed his free hand against his chest.
"I feel proud."
"Because I get to call myself the sworn brother of the hero of this city."
"Miles Sterling."
The applause erupted.
People stood from their seats.
The younger guests cheered loudly.
Flora clapped with a proud smile.
Elena’s eyes became slightly moist.
Gordon sat proudly, watching the stage.
Even Commander Ray smiled faintly.
Dion waited until the applause settled.
"Today, everyone gathered here is here for the same reason."
He looked toward the decorated aisle.
"The grand wedding of Miles and Chloe."
The crowd immediately began cheering again.
Dion laughed.
"But before we begin..."
His expression suddenly became mysterious.
"The Sterling family of Star Harbor has another surprise for you."
The crowd quieted.
People exchanged curious looks.
Dion smiled.
"After decades..."
"Our previous hero has finally awakened from his deep slumber."
The smiles disappeared.
Several people looked at one another.
Dion continued.
"And he is here today."
His voice became ceremonial.
"To personally bless his grandson on his wedding day."
He turned toward the entrance behind the stage.
"Dear guests..."
"Please welcome the founder of the Sterling Empire."
"The legend of Star Harbor."
"The eldest Sterling."
"Mr. Timothy Sterling."
For several seconds...
Nothing happened.
The entire lawn fell silent.
Then whispers began spreading.
"Timothy Sterling?"
"Is he alive?"
"Did he say he woke up?"
"He is here?"
"I thought he had been gone for decades."
Gordon froze in his chair.
His eyes widened.
He slowly looked toward the stage.
Then the doors at the back opened.
Monica appeared.
She was gently pushing a wheelchair.
And sitting in it...
Was Timothy Sterling.
The old man wore a formal suit.
His posture was still slightly weakened from his long illness, but his expression was peaceful.
A gentle smile rested on his face.
The crowd became completely silent.
Gordon stared.
For a moment, he seemed to forget how to breathe.
"Brother..."
His voice barely escaped his throat.
David, sitting at his side, looked equally stunned.
"Uncle Tim..."
His wife Birdie gently held his hand.
"He’s really awake."
Timothy slowly looked across the crowd.
So many faces.
So many people.
A city he had once built.
A family he had lost.
And a grandson who had brought him back.
Dion handed the microphone to him.
Timothy took it carefully.
He looked at the sea of people before him.
Then he spoke.
"Hello, everyone."
His voice was deeper than many expected.
"I am back."
For a heartbeat, nobody moved.
Then the entire garden erupted.
Applause thundered across Pearl Villa.
People stood.
Some cheered.
Some wiped their eyes.
The younger guests clapped enthusiastically while the elders simply stared at the man they had once believed was lost forever.
Elena smiled through her tears.
Daniel placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
Gordon could no longer remain seated.
He slowly stood.
His eyes were already filled with tears.
He walked toward the stage.
"Brother..."
Timothy looked at him.
A familiar smile appeared on his face.
"My dear little brother."
He looked Gordon up and down.
"You got old."
The crowd laughed softly through their tears.
Gordon smiled.
Then he slowly lowered himself to his knees in front of Timothy.
His tears finally fell.
"You finally woke up."
His voice trembled.
"I missed you so much."
Timothy reached forward and gently tapped his shoulder.
"I didn’t know you had become this weak."
Gordon laughed through his tears.
"Are you really my brother?"
Timothy smiled.
Gordon stood and embraced him.
Timothy returned the hug.
"Alright."
He laughed softly.
"Alright. I missed you too."
The crowd erupted into applause once again.
It was not the grandest moment of the wedding.
It was not the most expensive celebration.
It was something much simpler.
Two brothers who had spent decades apart had finally found each other again.
Even some of the guests who knew nothing about their history could feel the weight of that moment.
Meiling quietly wiped her eyes.
Wang Yi looked away for a moment, pretending to adjust her glasses.
Commander Ray folded his arms and smiled.
"What a lucky man."
He looked toward Timothy.
"To lose almost everything and somehow get it all back."
Calum watched the stage with a thoughtful expression.
"So this is why Mother was so happy after returning home."
He shook his head.
"She never told me that she met Uncle Tim."
Nearby, Victor looked toward his father.
"Father..."
Wilred’s eyes remained fixed on Timothy.
"Uncle Tim is really back."
He paused.
Then smiled.
"No."
"The emperor of this city is back."
Gordon finally took the microphone.
He looked toward the crowd.
"I apologize, everyone."
A few guests laughed softly.
"You had to see this side of me."
He looked at Timothy.
"I am simply very happy."
His voice became emotional again.
"Today’s happiness has just doubled."
He wiped the corner of his eye.
"So I won’t delay this wedding any longer."
He looked toward Dion and handed him the microphone.
"Let’s continue with the wedding rituals."
Dion accepted the microphone.
He looked between Gordon and Timothy.
"What a moment."
He shook his head with a grin.
"Did we just witness two of the most powerful figures in the country getting emotional?"
The guests laughed.
Even Timothy laughed.
Dion looked toward him.
"Don’t worry, Grandpa Tim. Your secret is safe with us."
More laughter filled the lawn.
Dion then turned toward the Aisle.
"But now..."
His smile widened.
"We have delayed the wedding long enough."
He raised the microphone.
"So, without further delay..."
"Let’s welcome the groom."
The music began.
Every head in the garden turned toward the entrance.
And the entire atmosphere changed.
The moment everyone had been waiting for...
Had finally arrived.
Gordon slowly returned to his seat, still carrying a smile that refused to leave his face.
Timothy remained on the side of the stage in his wheelchair, watching everything with quiet pride.
The priest stood at the center, preparing for the ceremony.
Then the music changed.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
The groom had arrived.
Miles slowly stepped onto the aisle.
He wore an elegant black suit, perfectly fitted to his frame, with a crisp white shirt beneath it and a carefully arranged tie. His hair was neatly styled, though his expression remained characteristically calm.
But what caught everyone’s attention was not his suit.
It was the two little children walking beside him.
Hope held one of his hands.
Asher held the other.
The twins walked proudly beside their big brother, dressed in matching formal outfits.
The moment they appeared, whispers spread through the guests.
"So handsome."
"They look adorable."
Jemma smiled brightly.
"They look so cute together."
Elena gently tilted her head onto Daniel’s shoulder.
Her eyes never left her son.
Wang Yi smiled as she watched Miles walk down the aisle.
"Look at him, Miss Meiling."
Meiling’s eyes softened.
"He has grown up so much."
She smiled proudly.
"I feel very proud."
Near the front, Commander Ray folded his arms.
"That’s our boy."
Reina smiled.
"The leader looks so handsome."
Marina looked at the twins.
"And those two little ones with him."
Darius glanced at the women.
"Why are both of your mouths watering?"
Ren immediately chuckled.
Marina rolled her eyes.
Aerin smiled while watching the procession.
"What a beautiful entry."
She leaned forward slightly.
"I can’t wait for the bride’s entry."
Miles continued down the aisle.
The twins proudly stayed beside him, occasionally looking toward the guests and waving.
Several people waved back.
The atmosphere became warmer with every step.
Then the groom’s party followed.
Chase entered first, followed by Cole and Josh.
Silvey walked alongside them, while June and April followed close behind.
They all looked exceptionally cheerful.
They waved toward the guests as they walked.
The crowd responded with applause.
Even the groom’s party received their share of compliments.
Elena laughed softly.
"Well, at least a few more people decided to take the groom’s side."
Birdie laughed beside David.
"My daughter knows how to take the right side."
David smiled.
"Really"
Birdie nodded proudly.
Nearby, Edna looked toward Olivia.
"You should have joined them too."
Olivia smiled shyly.
"They asked me."
She glanced toward the aisle.
"But I was too shy."
Edna laughed.
"You should find yourself someone too. You are the heir of Winslow Estate."
Olivia immediately looked embarrassed.
"Grandma, let’s enjoy this wedding first."
Edna smiled.
"I am quite excited to see the bride."
Olivia leaned closer and whispered.
"Sister in law is very pretty."
Edna’s smile widened.
"That makes me even more excited."
Dion looked toward Miles.
"What a handsome big brother."
Then he pointed toward the twins.
"And aren’t Hope and Asher the cutest?"
The guests cheered.
Hope and Asher looked toward the crowd, suddenly embarrassed by all the attention.
Miles smiled and gently squeezed both their hands.
Dion raised the microphone.
"Alright, everyone."
The music slowly softened.
Dion turned toward the entrance.
"The groom has arrived."
He paused dramatically.
"And now..."
His smile widened.
"Let’s welcome the bride."