Chapter 394: Unlucky employees!!
Miles drove through the busy evening streets of Star Harbor with one hand resting on the steering wheel.
His mind was still inside the Sterling Security war room.
More specifically...
It was still with Thea.
Her voice.
Her tears.
Her stubborn refusal.
Her strange confidence.
Everything about that conversation felt wrong.
Miles tightened his fingers slightly around the steering wheel.
"How could she say all that?"
His eyes remained on the road.
"She is clearly against her own decision."
Thea had tried to sound determined.
Tried to sound convinced.
But Miles had seen people lie far too many times.
He had interrogated criminals.
Watched soldiers pretend they were not afraid before walking into battle.
Thea’s words might have sounded confident...
But her eyes hadn’t agreed with them.
"What exactly is forcing you to do this?"
Miles murmured.
His thoughts shifted toward Bjorn.
"What could Bjorn possibly have on her?"
Then another possibility appeared.
His expression became more serious.
"Does Bjorn know about Ivy?"
The question bothered him.
"If he knows about her sister..."
That alone could explain many things.
But then another question followed immediately.
"Does he know Grandmaster is alive?"
Miles frowned.
Too many unknowns.
And then there was Lucian.
Miles remembered the old man’s face during the meeting.
Lucian had looked hurt when Thea spoke.
That much was real.
But when they began discussing the operation...
There had been something else.
Something calm.
Almost too calm.
Miles narrowed his eyes.
"And Grandmaster’s expressions..."
He tapped one finger against the steering wheel.
"He didn’t look nearly as worried as he should."
That bothered him almost as much as Thea’s behavior.
"Does he have an ace up his sleeve?"
Miles sighed.
"This old man."
A faint, frustrated smile appeared.
"Still not completely truthful."
Lucian had already revealed enormous secrets.
His connection to the WEB.
Bjorn.
Thea.
His decades of planning.
Yet Miles still had the strange feeling that the Grandmaster had not placed every card on the table.
Then his thoughts shifted again.
"Bjorn and Astrid."
His expression hardened.
"Looks like I need to dig into both of you."
Miles reached toward the dashboard and activated the secure calling system.
A few seconds later the call connected.
"Leader?"
Darius’ voice came through.
Miles immediately spoke.
"Darius."
"Yes, Leader."
"You’re going to Norway."
There was no hesitation.
"Understood."
Miles continued.
"You report directly to me and Charles."
His tone became more serious.
"No fourth person should know about this."
Darius immediately understood the importance of the instruction.
"Understood, Leader."
"I’ll send you all the details tonight."
Miles turned into another street.
"Charles will arrange your flight."
"Okay."
The call ended.
Miles returned his attention to the road.
For several seconds he remained silent.
Then he sighed softly.
"Thea..."
His voice became quieter.
"Don’t worry."
The determined expression returned to his face.
"I’ll get you out of there."
A short pause.
"Just stay strong."
He continued driving.
Then suddenly rubbed his forehead.
"My head hurts."
Originally he had planned to go directly to Cinder Square.
There were still reports he wanted to review.
Miles stared at the road ahead.
Then, almost without thinking...
He took a right turn.
Not toward Cinder Square.
Toward the Soul Tower.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Work can wait."
...
The Soul Tower remained one of the busiest corporate buildings in Star Harbor.
Employees moved constantly between floors.
Visitors entered and left.
Executives rushed into elevators.
Delivery staff crossed the lobby carrying packages.
Miles parked and entered without announcing his arrival.
A few people recognized him immediately.
Others simply noticed the young man walking through the lobby and wondered why someone who looked barely older than a university student carried himself with such confidence.
He entered the elevator.
The Reaper Group occupied its own floors inside the tower.
Normally that would have been his destination.
But today...
Miles pressed another button.
Tulip Corporation.
The elevator doors opened.
Miles stepped out.
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Miles had barely taken a few steps before whispers started.
"Who is he?"
A woman quietly answered.
"You don’t know?"
"No."
"He keeps coming here."
"Why?"
"For Miss Chloe."
Another employee immediately leaned closer.
"For Miss Chloe?"
"Yes."
Then realization appeared.
"Wait."
"Doesn’t that make him her husband?"
"Husband?"
The nearby woman looked shocked.
"When did she get married?"
"Huh?"
Someone looked at her like she had been living under a rock.
"You weren’t here yesterday?"
"No."
"Miss Alice announced it."
The employee’s eyes widened.
"Miss Chloe really got married?"
"Apparently."
Another woman glanced toward Miles as he walked through the office.
"She is so lucky."
Her friend followed her gaze.
"Her husband is really handsome."
"I wonder what he does."
"He definitely looks high profile."
Someone from the next desk quietly joined the conversation.
"I heard those cute twins Miss Monica from Reaper Group brought here before are related to him."
Another employee gasped.
"Were they his children?"
"What?"
The first woman almost laughed.
"Look at him. He looks too young."
"So?"
"How could he have children that old?"
The other employee shrugged seriously.
"What do you know? Rich people can have anything."
A woman nearby nearly dropped her pen.
"What kind of logic is that?"
Another employee whispered dramatically.
"Our boss didn’t get fooled, did she?"
"What are you even saying?"
The woman beside her looked toward Miles again.
"I could marry him just for those cute children."
Someone corrected her.
"They aren’t his children."
"Doesn’t matter."
She smiled dreamily.
"Moreover, who doesn’t want a rich handsome husband?"
Another employee suddenly became thoughtful.
"Wait."
"What?"
"Do you think we shifted our office here because of him?"
The woman beside her stared.
"You are really dumb."
"What?"
"Did you forget why we moved?"
She pointed around.
"Sterling Enterprises invested in our company."
Then she pointed at her colleague.
"You are literally living in an apartment provided through that investment."
The woman blinked.
"Oh."
"How did you forget that?"
"I don’t know."
"Unbelievable."
Miles heard pieces of the conversation as he passed.
He didn’t stop.
But his expression gradually became more amused.
Apparently his mysterious identity had created an entire mythology among Tulip’s employees.
Finally, he reached Chloe’s office.
He stopped before the door and knocked.
"Come in."
Chloe’s voice came from inside.
Miles opened the door.
Chloe didn’t even look toward him.
She stood beside a large shelf filled with folders.
Her attention was completely focused on searching for something.
"Kate, thanks for coming."
She pulled out another folder.
"Can you help me sort these files in chronological order? It’s very inconvenient like this."
Miles smiled.
"Sure."
Chloe froze.
Slowly...
She turned.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You?"
Miles leaned casually against the door.
"What?"
"Why are you here?"
Miles looked offended.
"Am I not allowed to come to my wife’s office?"
Chloe smiled immediately.
"I didn’t say that."
Miles walked inside and closed the door behind him.
Then he puffed his cheeks slightly.
"My office is better."
Chloe raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"No one asks my wife why she is there."
Chloe laughed.
Miles continued.
"And everyone knows you’re my wife."
He pointed toward the door.
"Nobody spreads completely incorrect rumors."
Chloe narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Trying to act cute?"
Miles smiled.
Then started walking toward her.
Slowly.
Chloe noticed the change immediately.
"What?"
Miles didn’t answer.
He continued approaching.
His eyes remained fixed on hers.
Chloe instinctively stepped backward.
One step.
Then another.
"Miles?"
Another step.
Until her back touched the bookshelf.
There was nowhere else to go.
Miles stopped directly in front of her.
Chloe’s cheeks immediately turned red.
"What are you doing?"
Miles raised one hand.
Chloe stiffened.
His arm moved over her shoulder.
Then his palm landed against the shelf.
He leaned slightly closer.
Chloe stared at him.
Her face became completely red.
"Someone..."
She glanced toward the door.
"Someone might come inside."
Miles looked confused.
"Hmm?"
Then he reached past her.
"If you’re standing in the way..."
His fingers touched one of the folders behind her.
"...how am I supposed to sort the files?"
Chloe’s eyes widened.
"You..."
Miles pulled the folder free.
A shameless smile appeared.
Chloe immediately escaped from beside him.
She walked toward the desk while trying to calm herself.
Miles sighed dramatically.
"So suspicious."
Chloe took a deep breath.
"Don’t you have work, Chairman?"
Miles started pulling folders from the shelf.
"Of course."
"Then why are you here?"
She crossed her arms.
"Or did you dump all your work on your poor assistant June?"
Miles laughed.
"I would never."
"You absolutely would."
Miles carried the files toward the desk.
He placed them down.
Then began checking the dates.
"I was actually going to Cinder Square."
Chloe looked at him.
"Then?"
"I changed my mind."
"Why?"
Miles arranged another file.
"I thought I’d ask my wife to lunch."
Chloe’s expression softened slightly.
Miles looked up.
"Have you eaten?"
"Umm..."
She looked away.
"No."
Miles nodded.
"Perfect."
He continued sorting.
"Let’s finish these first."
Then suddenly Chloe stepped forward.
She grabbed his wrist.
Miles looked down at her hand.
"What’s wrong?"
"Come with me."
"Huh?"
Chloe started pulling him.
Miles glanced toward the desk.
"But the files."
"Leave them."
"Didn’t you just say they were inconvenient?"
"Kate can fix them later."
Miles laughed.
"Poor Kate."
Chloe continued pulling.
"Come."
"Slow down."
She ignored him.
The office door opened.
Chloe pulled Miles directly into the main working area.
Nearly every employee looked up.
The whispers began immediately.
"They’re holding hands."
"So cute."
"Miss Chloe looks really happy."
"Did we get the winter bonus early?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"I don’t know. Everyone looks happy."
Chloe suddenly stopped.
Miles nearly walked into her.
She cleared her throat.
"Attention, everyone."
The entire floor gradually became quiet.
Employees turned toward her.
Even those sitting farther away stood to see what was happening.
Chloe looked around.
"I heard Alice already told everyone yesterday..."
Her cheeks became slightly pink.
"...that I got married."
The reaction was immediate.
Cheers erupted.
Several employees clapped.
Someone whistled.
Another shouted congratulations.
Miles stood beside her with a smile.
Chloe raised her hand until everyone became quieter.
"Since there seem to be a few misunderstandings going around..."
Several employees immediately looked guilty.
Chloe smiled.
"Let me introduce him properly."
She looked toward Miles.
Then her smile became brighter.
"My husband."
She paused.
"Miles Sterling."
Silence.
For half a second.
Then whispers exploded.
"Did she say Miles Sterling?"
"Sterling?"
"Wait."
"Isn’t that the Chairman of Sterling Enterprises?"
"The Chairman?"
"No way."
Miles quietly watched their expressions.
Chloe continued.
"Yes."
She nodded.
"You are thinking correctly."
Her voice carried a hint of pride now.
"He is the Chairman of Sterling Enterprises."
The employees became even more shocked.
"And..."
Chloe added.
"The investor in our company."
"Wooooooo!"
The reaction became much louder this time.
Miles laughed.
Someone clapped enthusiastically.
Several employees immediately began whispering to each other.
"Chairman Sterling?"
"Our boss married Chairman Sterling?"
"The twins definitely aren’t his children then."
"Why are you still thinking about that?"
Miles stepped forward slightly.
"Hello, everyone."
The room quieted.
"I’m Miles Sterling."
He looked toward Chloe.
"And apparently..."
A small smile appeared.
"...the husband of your boss."
The employees laughed.
Miles looked around.
"I’m feeling pretty happy today."
Chloe immediately became suspicious.
"What are you planning?"
Miles ignored her.
"So I’ll allow one question."
The floor suddenly exploded in excitement.
Chloe stared at him.
"Huh?"
Several hands immediately went up.
"Me!"
"Me!"
"Mr. Sterling!"
"Here!"
Miles pointed toward one particularly enthusiastic female employee.
"You."
She looked delighted.
"How did you two meet, Mr. Sterling?"
The entire floor became quiet instantly.
Then the excitement doubled.
Even Alice and Kate emerged from their offices after hearing the commotion.
They stopped near the corner.
Kate looked around.
"What happened?"
Alice crossed her arms.
"Apparently we’re getting the story."
Kate’s eyes brightened.
"Fan service?"
Alice looked at her.
"Keep your dirty mind away from this, Kate."
Kate laughed.
Miles cleared his throat.
"Okay."
He looked toward Chloe.
"Let’s answer that."
Chloe immediately looked nervous.
Miles smiled.
"I met her on a street in Paris."
Several employees leaned forward.
"She was still in high school."
"Ohhhhh!"
"Woooo!"
Chloe covered part of her face.
Miles continued calmly.
"I looked at her..."
He paused.
"...and kept looking for a while."
The employees screamed again.
Chloe’s cheeks became red.
Miles smiled.
"She made my heartbeat faster."
"Woooooooo!"
"Mr. Sterling!"
"So romantic!"
One employee whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"No wonder Miss Chloe never showed interest in dating."
Another nodded.
"A high school crush."
Chloe immediately protested.
"Hey."
She looked toward Miles.
"You don’t have to describe everything."
Miles smiled innocently.
"But they asked."
Chloe narrowed her eyes at him.
Miles looked back toward the employees.
"So..."
He folded his arms.
"Your boss didn’t tell any of you about the wedding."
Several employees instantly responded.
"Yes!"
"She didn’t!"
"Very unfair!"
"So unfair!"
Chloe looked betrayed.
"Seriously?"
Miles nodded sympathetically.
"I agree."
Then he smiled.
"How about I compensate everyone?"
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Employees straightened.
"What compensation?"
Miles casually said,
"Lunch is on me today."
For a second nobody reacted.
Then the entire floor erupted.
"WOAH!"
"Really?"
"Mr. Sterling, you’re the best!"
"Chairman Sterling!"
"Thank you!"
Chloe stared at Miles.
"Hey."
"What?"
"Stop turning my employees against me."
Miles laughed.
"I’m not."
"And stop spoiling them."
Miles looked toward the employees.
"So should I cancel the free lunch?"
Every face immediately became miserable.
Chloe turned.
Dozens of employees stared at her with exaggerated sadness.
One woman even clasped her hands together.
Chloe couldn’t hold her expression.
She laughed.
"No."
The employees instantly became happy again.
Miles nodded.
"See?"
Chloe shook her head.
Alice stepped forward and clapped twice.
"Alright, everyone."
The floor quieted.
"Say thank you properly to Mr. Sterling."
Everyone responded together.
"Thank you, Mr. Sterling!"
Miles laughed.
"Enjoy."
Then he looked toward Chloe.
He reached for her hand.
"Let’s go."
Chloe smiled and intertwined her fingers with his.
Another wave of teasing cheers followed them.
"Have fun!"
"Bye, Miss Chloe!"
"Bye, Mr. Sterling!"
The couple disappeared toward the elevator.
Alice watched them leave.
Then sighed.
"How lucky our Chloe is."
Kate immediately looked toward the employees.
"At least we’re getting free lunch."
Alice turned toward her.
Kate smiled mischievously.
"Let’s order something really expensive."
Alice thought for a second.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
Kate looked shocked.
"You agreed?"
Alice smiled.
"Brother in law is the Chairman of Sterling Enterprises, after all."
Kate laughed.
"Now you’re talking."
...
A short while later...
Miles and Chloe were inside his car.
Miles drove while Chloe sat beside him.
She had been smiling almost continuously since they left the office.
Miles glanced sideways.
"You’re still smiling."
Chloe immediately looked toward the window.
"No."
"You are."
"I’m not."
"Your cheeks are still red too."
Chloe turned toward him.
"Drive."
Miles laughed.
After a moment Chloe finally spoke.
"Don’t you think that was very expensive compensation?"
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
"Lunch for the entire office."
"So?"
"So..."
Chloe shook her head.
"That’s a lot of people."
Miles looked completely unconcerned.
"Your employees are unlucky."
Chloe blinked.
"What?"
"For not having a boss like me."
She laughed.
Miles continued proudly.
"I treat my employees once in a while."
Chloe looked at him.
"You are rich, Mr. Chairman."
She sighed dramatically.
"What can I say?"
Miles nodded.
"Thank you."
Chloe stared.
"That wasn’t a compliment."
"I’ll take it as one."
She laughed again.
Then her expression softened.
"Still..."
She looked toward him.
"Thank you."
"For?"
"For treating them."
Miles smiled.
"I meant thank you too."
Chloe looked confused.
"For what?"
"For introducing me."
Her expression changed.
Miles continued.
"Now everyone knows."
Chloe puffed her cheeks slightly.
"I didn’t want my employees spreading rumors about my husband behind my back."
Miles looked amused.
"Hmm?"
"Are you angry?"
"Yes."
"Seriously?"
Chloe nodded.
"I wanted them to know."
Her voice softened.
"That my husband is the best."
Miles went quiet for a second.
Then looked away.
"Alright."
He cleared his throat.
"Enough."
Chloe smiled sweetly.
"What?"
"Stop the sweet talking."
"I’m only telling the truth."
Miles shook his head helplessly.
"Fine."
He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel.
"Now tell me something useful."
Chloe raised an eyebrow.
"Like?"
Miles smiled.
"What do you want to eat?"