Next Day.

Inside the Pearl Villa, Elena carefully adjusted Miles' collar while standing in front of him.

Her hands moved slowly and gently as if she was still worried that even a little carelessness might hurt him.

Miles stood patiently while wearing a clean black shirt beneath a light coat.

Even though he looked far better than before, the injuries were still there.

His ribs were tightly strapped beneath the shirt to keep his chest stable.

A soft cap covered the healing wound near his head.

He looked healthier now.

But to Elena, he still looked like the son she almost lost again.

"You are only going to work because Nurse Maya said you are recovering well."

Elena looked at him seriously.

"But you have to be extra careful."

Then she immediately turned toward Monica.

"Mona dear…"

"Please keep an eye on him."

"And take him directly to the office only."

"No other places."

Monica stood nearby trying not to smile too much.

"Don't worry Aunt."

"I will personally make sure he is sitting in his office chair before leaving."

Miles sighed helplessly.

"Mom…"

"Believe me."

"I will be fine."

Elena's expression softened instantly.

"It is not that I do not believe you…"

"It is just…"

Her eyes slightly turned wet.

"I cannot lose you again."

Miles quietly placed his hand against her cheek.

His voice became softer.

"I will come back safe."

"I promise."

Elena looked at him for several seconds before finally stepping aside.

"Alright."

"Now go before I change my mind."

Miles chuckled softly.

Monica smiled warmly too.

Soon both of them left the villa and entered the waiting car.

…

The roads of Star Harbor looked calm and alive under the morning sunlight.

People walked normally.

Traffic moved peacefully. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Stores were open.

Children crossed roads holding their parents' hands.

The city looked untouched.

As if the nightmare from days ago had never happened.

Miles quietly looked outside through the car window during the drive.

His eyes slowly observed the buildings, streets, people, and ocean side roads.

"The city looks beautiful…"

"Unharmed."

Monica looked outside too before smiling slightly.

"I think that too."

After some time the car finally entered Cinder Square.

The towering headquarters of Sterling Enterprises stood proudly against the skyline.

The massive glass structure reflected the bright morning light beautifully.

As soon as they entered the building, security personnel immediately greeted them respectfully.

Miles and Monica entered the private elevator together.

The elevator quietly ascended toward the executive floors.

Then the doors opened.

And Miles stopped.

He genuinely did not expect this.

Employees from multiple departments and floors had gathered together outside.

The hallway was completely filled.

People stood in rows holding flowers, cards, handmade banners, and smiling faces.

Then suddenly

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

The entire floor erupted into applause.

"Welcome back Chairman."

The voices echoed warmly through the hallway.

Miles looked genuinely surprised for a moment.

June stepped forward holding a bouquet.

"Welcome back Boss."

Miles slowly accepted the flowers.

For a second he looked around quietly.

Then a small smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you everyone."

"This really means a lot."

"And thank you for all your wishes."

"I am completely fine because of all of you."

Then he glanced toward the large windows.

"It is really hot outside today…"

"So…"

"I am treating everyone to ice cream."

The employees instantly became excited.

Several people even cheered.

Who would refuse free ice cream from the chairman himself?

Miles looked toward June.

"June."

June already sighed while taking out her tablet.

"Let me order."

Monica folded her arms dramatically.

"Then I am staying until the ice cream arrives."

Miles laughed quietly.

He waved once more toward everyone.

The employees happily greeted him again before slowly dispersing back toward their departments and workstations.

As the crowd began leaving, several whispers quietly spread among some younger employees.

One female employee leaned closer toward another.

"Do you think Chairman and Miss Monica have something going on?"

The second employee immediately nodded excitedly.

"She visits here all the time."

"And they came together first thing in the morning."

"Do they live together?"

A third employee quickly interrupted them.

"Shhh."

"Stop spreading rumors."

"I heard they are relatives."

"And since Reaper Group shifted headquarters to Star Harbor, she stays with his family."

Before the gossip could continue

June suddenly appeared behind them.

"Get back to work everybody."

The three employees immediately scattered.

…

Inside the Chairman's office.

Miles slowly sat down in his chair and relaxed deeply against the backrest.

"Finally."

Monica looked around the office before smiling.

"Your employees really love you."

Miles quietly shook his head.

"I am just lucky."

Monica softly smiled.

"Believe me…"

"They are luckier."

Then suddenly Monica's phone vibrated.

She immediately answered.

"Yes."

"…when?"

"Alright."

"Keep looking."

The call ended.

Miles noticed her expression.

"What is it?"

Monica sighed slightly.

"It was Charles."

"Secret Service raided the coordinates in New York."

"But Aveline escaped."

Miles leaned back quietly.

"She is very good at this."

"But where will she run?"

Monica crossed her arms.

"We will get her soon."

Miles looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I was wondering something…"

"Why is Secret Service handling this personally?"

"The President could have used the Agency."

Monica thought for a second.

"Maybe the President does not want to take risks."

"And wants to oversee this personally."

Miles slowly nodded.

"Who knows…"

….

Three days later.

Inside the Pearl Villa, Elena stood near the entrance while watching Miles prepare to leave.

Even after days of recovery, her eyes still carried the same worry every time he stepped outside the house.

Miles adjusted his coat calmly while picking up his car keys from the table.

Elena folded her arms.

"You are sure you can go by yourself?"

Miles smiled helplessly.

"I am fine mom."

"Monica had to leave early today."

"She has important work."

Elena still looked unconvinced.

"Take a driver with you."

Miles sighed softly.

"Mom…"

"I can drive."

"Do not think too much."

"It will stress you."

Then he gently added.

"And believe me, I have an important meeting today."

"People are coming from New York."

"Otherwise I would not even leave home."

Elena finally gave up after staring at him for several seconds.

"Alright…"

"Just call me when you reach the office."

Miles nodded obediently.

"Okay."

"I will."

…

It was already afternoon by the time Miles slowly drove toward Cinder Square.

The sunlight reflected across the roads beautifully while traffic moved calmly through the city.

Miles carefully drove with one hand resting lightly on the steering wheel.

His body was still recovering.

Every sharp movement still caused slight discomfort in his ribs.

But compared to before, he looked far more stable now.

As he entered deeper into the city roads, his eyes casually moved toward the rear mirror.

Then suddenly

A speeding car appeared behind him.

Fast.

Too fast.

Miles frowned slightly.

"What the hell is he doing…?"

Before he could react properly

BANG.

The speeding vehicle violently rammed into the back of Miles' car.

The impact instantly pushed his vehicle sideways across the lane.

Miles immediately tightened his grip and slammed the brakes carefully to avoid losing control.

His injured ribs protested sharply.

"Tch…"

Then before he could fully stop

The speeding vehicle swerved away recklessly and crashed into another car moving beside Miles.

The second vehicle lost balance and slammed against the divider.

And without stopping…

The speeding car fled the scene.

Miles finally managed to halt his car completely.

He took a slow breath while leaning back against the seat.

"Seriously…?"

Then he quickly stepped out of the car.

The second vehicle stood damaged against the roadside divider with smoke lightly rising from the front.

Miles immediately opened the driver's door.

The airbags had deployed.

The male driver inside looked shaken but conscious.

"You good?"

The driver nodded while breathing heavily.

"I… I am fine…"

Miles sighed in relief.

Then his eyes moved toward the backseat.

Two women sat there.

The seatbelts had protected them properly.

Thankfully the collision was not severe enough to cause injuries.

Miles immediately opened the rear door.

"Thank God…"

"The collision was not too hard."

"Who the hell was driving that car…"

The two women slowly stepped out.

One of them wore a simple but elegant cream colored outfit paired with a long coat suitable for business meetings.

She looked mature, calm, and beautiful in a very refined way.

Her long hair rested neatly over her shoulders while tired eyes reflected sleepless nights and constant work pressure.

Beside her stood another younger woman who was probably her assistant.

Miles carefully looked at them.

"Have we met somewhere before?"

The woman paused slightly before answering.

"Umm… hnmm… well, it is my first time in Haven, so I do not think so…"

Miles nodded lightly.

"Maybe you look like someone I met before… You two alright though?"

The woman nodded politely.

"We are fine…"

Then she sighed lightly while looking at the damaged car.

"We are already getting late…"

"And this happened."

"It is a very important day for us."

Miles nodded slightly.

"My car is damaged too."

"Where were you heading though?"

The woman answered.

"Cinder Square."

Miles raised his eyebrow slightly.

"You can install the City Swift app and get a cab in a few minutes. Cinder Square is not that far."

"The availability is very high during afternoon hours."

The woman blinked slightly.

"Really?"

She immediately looked toward her assistant.

The assistant quickly started using her phone.

The woman then looked back at Miles carefully.

"Well…"

"Thank you so much."

"Are you alright though?"

"That car hit your vehicle too."

Miles calmly nodded.

"I am fine."

"These facial injuries are from a previous accident."

The woman looked more carefully at the faint healing marks near his face beneath the cap.

"Those do not look very old…"

Before the conversation could continue, police sirens approached.

Two police vehicles quickly arrived at the scene.

Several officers stepped out.

Then the moment they saw Miles

Their expressions instantly changed.

They almost saluted automatically.

But Miles immediately gave them a subtle signal not to.

The officers corrected themselves quickly.

One officer stepped forward respectfully.

"You fine sir?"

Miles nodded calmly.

"I am good."

At that moment the assistant looked up from her phone.

"The cab is here."

Miles looked toward the officers.

"Let these two leave first officer."

"They have urgent work."

"The driver is here too."

"We will give statements afterward."

The officer almost answered formally again.

"Copy tha…"

Then he quickly corrected himself awkwardly.

"I mean…"

"Alright."

"You two can leave."

The women quickly entered the arriving cab.

The door closed.

Inside the cab, silence filled the atmosphere.

The assistant finally looked toward the woman.

"You good Alice?"

Alice remained frozen while staring outside through the rear glass.

Her breathing had unknowingly become faster.

Then slowly…

Almost like she had seen someone impossible…

She whispered softly.

"He is…"

"That boy…"