Elena’s hands continued trembling as they gently held Miles’ face.

Her fingers carefully touched the bruises near his cheek and the bandage wrapped behind his head as if she was afraid even the slightest pressure might hurt him more.

"My son..."

Her voice broke midway.

"You are so hurt... seeing you like this... my heart sinks..."

Miles looked at her quietly.

Even after everything he had gone through that day, seeing tears in his mother’s eyes felt heavier than every wound on his body combined.

"Mom, I was..."

Elena immediately shook her head before he could continue.

"You do not have to explain anything."

Her voice was soft but filled with pain.

"Whoever did this to you will never live happily ever again."

Tears rolled down her cheeks continuously now.

"This is the curse of a mother."

Miles smiled weakly despite the pain spreading through his ribs.

Slowly he raised his injured hand and placed it over Elena’s hands resting on his cheeks.

"Mom..."

A faint chuckle escaped him.

"Curses do not sound good from my sweet mom’s mouth."

His tired eyes slowly softened.

"He is already receiving what he deserves."

Then his expression became quieter.

"I am sorry Mom..."

"I had to do things to protect all of you."

Elena immediately shook her head again.

"I do not blame you for anything son."

Daniel silently looked away for a second trying to hide the moisture in his own eyes.

Even Monica standing near the window lowered her gaze quietly.

Then suddenly the doctor standing nearby coughed lightly.

Everyone turned toward him.

The doctor awkwardly adjusted his glasses.

"Sorry for disturbing you Mrs. Keller."

A gentle smile appeared on his face.

"But do not worry."

"There are no major internal injuries."

"He has several fractures, deep bruising and exhaustion from physical over exerting, but he will recover properly."

The doctor looked toward Miles with visible disbelief hidden behind professionalism.

"He simply needs complete rest for a few weeks."

"After that he will return to being a perfectly healthy young man."

Daniel finally let out the breath he had been holding.

"That is good to hear doctor."

"Thank you."

Elena wiped her tears quickly.

"Thank you doctor."

The doctor smiled politely and bowed slightly before leaving the room quietly.

For a few peaceful seconds the room finally became calm.

Then Monica’s phone suddenly buzzed.

She stepped aside near the corner of the room and answered briefly before returning.

Miles noticed immediately.

"What is it Monica?"

Monica paused slightly.

"Nothing serious."

"The President is going live."

Daniel looked up instantly.

"President?"

Even Elena turned curiously.

Daniel slowly frowned while thinking.

"Is it about the time crisis that happened earlier today?"

Monica nodded.

"Yes."

Daniel immediately looked around.

"Then we should watch it."

"Where is the remote?"

Elena looked at him.

"Daniel?"

Monica gently spoke.

"Let us watch aunt."

"There are things he might say today that every citizen should hear."

Miles softly squeezed Elena’s hand.

"Sit down Mom."

Daniel quickly found the remote and turned on the television mounted on the wall.

The display switched to a live national broadcast directly from the Presidential Residence.

The camera showed President Maxwell walking toward his desk slowly.

The room behind him carried the emblem of the Republic of Haven.

Several flags stood proudly in the background.

The President adjusted his chair calmly before sitting down.

The live indicator appeared on the screen.

Then he looked directly into the camera.

"Good evening to all citizens of Haven."

His calm voice immediately filled the hospital room.

"The storm passed through the ocean coastline earlier this week."

"Thankfully conditions are now stabilizing across the coastal regions."

He paused briefly.

"I know many of you have the same question regarding the time crisis that occurred in Star Harbor today."

"And I know many citizens are currently blaming Air Telecommunications for what happened."

The President folded his hands together on the desk.

"Tonight I will clarify the truth."

"The incident was not accidental."

"It was intentionally created under direct authorization approved by me."

Daniel’s eyes widened slightly hearing that.

Even Elena became confused.

The President continued calmly.

"The citizens of Haven deserve to know the full truth today."

"Everyone across the world is currently discussing how America eliminated Al Qiyan earlier today."

"But there is more to that story."

"A lot more."

His expression slowly hardened.

"The world also needs to know that our nation, the Republic of Haven, played a major role in it as well."

"There are already videos circulating on social media regarding the unusual naval movement in Star Harbor."

Daniel stared at the television curiously now.

His mind was trying to connect everything together.

Beside him, Miles quietly held Elena’s hand.

The President’s voice became heavier.

"Today..."

"Our country faced the single greatest terrorist threat in its modern history."

A deep silence filled the hospital room.

Then the President slowly continued.

"Star Harbor was placed under direct threat by members of Al Qiyan."

President Maxwell looked into the camera one last time before continuing in a calm but heavy voice.

"The facts and figures are very important for all of you to know."

"Earlier today, eighteen highly lethal non nuclear explosive devices were active across Star Harbor."

"They have now all been neutralized."

The silence inside the hospital room became suffocating.

Elena instantly covered her mouth with both hands.

Daniel stared at the television in complete shock.

Even outside the hospital, across apartments, cafes, restaurants, offices and homes throughout the Republic of Haven, millions of citizens sat frozen listening to the broadcast.

Miles quietly sighed while resting against the hospital bed.

"Is he trying to scare the public now?"

Monica crossed her arms.

"He is bound by politics too."

Miles closed his eyes briefly.

The President continued.

"This entire attack was carried out by Al Qiyan in order to force the Republic of Haven into complying with their demands."

His expression became firmer.

"The threat has now been eliminated completely."

"And most importantly... there was not a single civilian casualty."

A visible shift happened across the hospital room hearing those words.

Elena slowly exhaled.

Daniel lowered his head in relief.

The President continued speaking.

"To prevent the explosives from detonating, it became necessary to alter the internet synchronized time system within Star Harbor."

"I understand this sounds immature and reckless to many citizens."

"And yes, it caused millions of dollars in business losses throughout the city."

"But it also saved thousands of innocent lives."

His voice became heavier with pride.

"Star Harbor is extremely important for the trade and economic strength of our nation."

"But more important than trade... are the people of Star Harbor."

"The operation became successful because brave people chose to stand and protect their city."

Then the President slowly said the words that made Daniel turn toward Miles.

"The operation succeeded because of Sterling Enterprises."

Elena slowly looked at her son.

Her eyes carried emotions too complicated to describe.

Pride.

Fear.

Pain.

Relief.

Love.

Tears quietly rolled down her cheeks again.

The President continued.

"Sterling Enterprises also controls Air Telecommunications."

"The threat itself was first identified by Sterling Private Security Services."

"Since morning, their agents worked tirelessly without rest to protect the city."

"They were not assigned this task."

"They were not getting paid for it."

"They could have taken their families and escaped."

"But they stayed."

"They stayed to protect innocent citizens."

"They stayed to protect their homes."

The President leaned slightly forward.

"A private organization displaying such courage and responsibility is commendable."

"They worked directly alongside the government and played a vital role in eliminating the threat."

Daniel slowly looked toward Monica.

Then toward Miles again.

His expression slowly changed.

Like he was finally understanding just how massive the world around Miles truly was.

The President’s voice softened.

"And above all..."

"I would like to thank one man on behalf of the entire Republic of Haven."

"The Chairman of Sterling Enterprises."

"Miles Sterling."

The hospital room became completely silent.

Even Monica smiled faintly.

"I have met many soldiers."

"I have seen countless people dedicate their lives to this country."

"But I have never seen a man like him."

"I have known Miles Sterling for a very long time."

"He once served in the Army before retiring after finding his long lost family."

The President smiled lightly.

"I will not reveal his face publicly because he prefers to live peacefully alongside his loved ones."

"But I can say this much."

"Anyone fortunate enough to meet him is truly lucky."

"He is a young man who stood alone against a swarm of highly dangerous terrorists in order to prevent the destruction of an entire city."

Elena finally could not hold her tears anymore.

She looked at Miles with trembling eyes.

Her son quietly looked at the TV awkwardly.

"What is he doing..."

Monica chuckled softly.

"People deserve to know."

"And honestly... who does not like free marketing?"

Miles sighed helplessly.

The President continued.

"He is the child of this country."

"And I hold deep respect for his parents."

"Right now he lies in a hospital bed with broken bones and serious injuries."

"But I know he will recover soon."

"And he will stand back up stronger than before."

The President slowly lowered his head slightly toward the camera.

"I request every citizen of this nation to pray for his recovery."

Inside the room, Elena gently tightened her grip on Miles’ hand.

The President continued.

"With the help of Miles Sterling, we successfully captured the current leader of Al Qiyan, Rehman Al Nawwar."

"His uncle, the former leader who was previously imprisoned, was executed during the operation."

"And using the intelligence gathered during today’s events, American forces successfully neutralized multiple Al Qiyan bases."

"It was a combined effort." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Then his tone suddenly became colder.

"Now regarding the matter of security."

"The terrorists did not enter our city because our nation was weak."

"They entered because someone from within betrayed us."

"Our own people were involved."

"The organization known as Cross Capital assisted Al Qiyan."

"Dominic Cross, who was released on parole this morning, has already been captured once and now again under terrorism related charges."

The President’s eyes sharpened.

"And this is my warning to every organization and businessman within the Republic of Haven."

"No one should involve themselves in espionage, terrorism or betrayal against this nation."

Then suddenly his expression softened again.

"Be like Sterling Enterprises."

The room fell silent again.

The President adjusted the papers on his desk slowly.

"This is all."

"Good night citizens."

The broadcast ended.

The television screen slowly faded into the news panel discussing the emergency situation across Star Harbor.

Inside the hospital room nobody spoke for several seconds.

Only the soft sounds of medical equipment could be heard.

Daniel looked at Miles with Proud.

Elena slowly rubbing his hand "You have done well my son"