The moment the cab carrying Alice disappeared from the road, the officers instantly straightened themselves.

Then together

Salute.

The driver standing nearby became completely dumbfounded.

The officer stepped closer toward Miles with visible concern on his face.

"Are you alright sir?"

"Any injury?"

Miles looked at him calmly.

The man genuinely looked worried rather than formal.

"I am fine."

"I had the car under control."

Then he added politely.

"Thanks for worrying."

The driver inside the damaged vehicle silently stared at Miles in disbelief.

The officer nodded respectfully while taking notes.

Miles looked toward the road where the speeding car had disappeared.

"18 SH 762."

"That is the car that hit us."

"Take care of it."

"And send me the profile of the driver too."

The officer immediately noted it down seriously.

"Yes sir."

Miles then glanced toward the driver whose hands were still slightly trembling.

"And make sure this man gets the repairs covered through insurance."

The driver looked shocked.

"Thank you so much sir…"

The officer immediately responded.

"We will take care of it sir."

Then he carefully looked at Miles' damaged car.

"Should we drop you somewhere?"

Before Miles could answer

Two black vehicles rapidly approached the scene.

Sterling Security.

The agents quickly stepped out.

Miles lightly smiled.

"Thanks officer."

"My ride is here."

The agents immediately rushed toward him.

"You good boss?"

Miles nodded casually.

"I am fine."

Then he pointed toward his damaged vehicle.

"Take the car for repairs."

"And I do not want my mom seeing it."

The agents instantly understood.

"Yes boss."

Miles added while walking toward their vehicle.

"And drop me at Cinder Square."

One agent quickly responded.

"We will have the car ready before you leave for home."

Miles nodded once before leaving with them.

…

Meanwhile

Alice and Kate finally reached Cinder Square.

The moment they stepped out of the cab, both women looked upward toward the massive skyscraper standing before them.

Sterling Enterprises.

The glass tower reflected the bright afternoon sunlight magnificently.

People moved constantly around the area.

Luxury vehicles arrived and departed nonstop.

Alice quietly stared upward.

"Having an office at the top floor must feel nice…"

Kate immediately corrected her.

"Oh no…"

"They own the entire building."

Alice blinked slightly.

"…what?"

Kate nodded proudly while checking information on her phone.

"They literally own the whole tower."

Alice looked at the massive structure again.

The pressure inside her heart quietly increased.

"They are really rich…"

Then she softly exhaled.

"I hope everything goes well today…"

Her eyes wandered farther across the skyline.

Then she noticed another skyscraper standing in the distance.

Taller.

More futuristic.

It almost pierced the clouds.

"That one?"

Kate followed her gaze.

"Oh."

"That is Soul Tower."

"Reaper Group owns it."

Alice looked surprised.

"So they really moved here…"

Kate nodded.

"Looks like it."

Then she gently reminded her.

"Come on."

"We will get late."

Both women finally entered the building.

Inside the luxurious lobby, employees moved around efficiently while security remained extremely organized.

Then suddenly

The private elevator opened nearby.

June stepped out elegantly while holding a tablet.

She immediately approached them with a polite smile.

"Welcome Miss Alice."

"I am June."

"Mr. Sterling's assistant."

Alice politely shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you Miss June."

Then she gestured toward Kate.

"She is my assistant, Kate."

June smiled warmly.

"Hello Miss Kate."

Then she added calmly.

"Mr. Sterling has not arrived yet."

"Let us go upstairs first."

Alice secretly sighed in relief.

"I thought we were late."

Soon the three women walked toward the private elevator together.

As the elevator smoothly ascended, Alice quietly spoke again.

"I heard Mr. Sterling was still recovering."

"Is it really fine for him to come here personally?"

June smiled helplessly.

"He is fine."

"He simply hates doing nothing."

"He always needs work."

Then she lightly chuckled.

"Yes, he is still recovering."

"But he liked your game."

"So he wanted to attend personally."

Alice looked genuinely surprised hearing that.

A small smile unconsciously appeared on her face.

The elevator finally opened on the executive floor.

June guided them through the luxurious hallway.

"We can wait inside the conference room."

"He should arrive within a few minutes."

Alice nodded politely.

"Alright."

Soon coffee was served while Kate opened the laptop and arranged the presentation files carefully.

Alice quietly adjusted her outfit while trying to calm herself.

Then she looked toward June again.

"Miss June…"

"Will Mr. Miles attend alone?"

"Or will there be other board members too?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

June looked at Alice's visibly nervous expression and softly smiled.

"Relax Miss Alice."

"There is no board of directors at Sterling Enterprises."

"Mr. Miles is the sole chairman."

Alice genuinely looked shocked.

"That is…"

"Surprising."

"Considering how quickly Sterling Enterprises expanded…"

"And how massive it became…"

"Mr. Sterling's decision making capabilities are truly commendable."

A calm voice suddenly came from the doorway.

"I am not that good Miss Alice."

The conference room door slowly opened.

Miles entered.

But the moment he stepped inside

He froze.

So did Alice.

And Kate.

Then Miles smiled lightly.

"Well… isn't this a surprise."

He leaned back slightly in his chair while looking at Alice.

"I should have guessed it when you said Cinder Square."

"But June said the team was coming."

Then he chuckled softly.

"Well… a team of two works too."

Alice immediately stood up nervously.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Sterling…"

Miles gently raised his hand.

"Relax Miss Alice."

"You can sit down."

Alice slowly sat back again.

But inside her mind, waves were crashing endlessly.

He is Miles Sterling ?

The chairman ?

How could this even be possible ?

The man the entire country was discussing nonstop is actually him.

Miles calmly took his seat across from them.

Then he noticed Alice still looking slightly stunned.

"You good Miss Alice?"

"Did I surprise you that much?"

Alice finally snapped out of her trance.

"I am good…"

"That was definitely a surprise though."

Then she smiled awkwardly.

"And thank you for the cab recommendation."

"It was a very smooth ride."

June quietly smiled nearby while arranging some files.

Miles nodded proudly.

"Well…"

"What is wrong in promoting our own business?"

"Sterling Enterprises owns stakes in City Swift."

Alice blinked again.

"Oh…"

"That explains it."

Then she genuinely smiled this time.

"It really was a good ride."

Miles lightly nodded.

"Glad to hear that."

Then his expression became calmer and more professional.

"So Miss Alice"

"I already saw the prototype you shared."

"I must say"

"It was very impressive."

His eyes briefly reflected genuine interest.

"The atmosphere."

"The sound design."

"The horror pacing."

"Especially that Grim Reaper sequence."

He leaned slightly forward.

"You people clearly worked hard on it."

Alice unconsciously became emotional hearing that.

Because most investors she met barely listened to her properly.

Some ignored the project halfway.

Some only talked about profit margins.

Some looked at her instead of her work.

But this man…

Actually played the prototype.

Actually understood it.

Miles continued calmly.

"So I am here today to understand your future plans."

"What exactly do you want to build?"

"Convince me."

"So that I invest in this."

Alice took a deep breath.

Then the pitch finally began.

The large display screen turned on.

Kate operated the slides while Alice carefully explained every detail.

The vision of Tulip Corp.

The future of the horror game franchise.

The lore.

The gameplay systems.

The online expansion possibilities.

The cinematic storytelling structure.

The future merchandise line.

The possibility of animation adaptations later.

She explained everything carefully.

Sometimes nervous.

Sometimes passionate.

But as she kept speaking, her confidence slowly returned.

Because unlike other meetings…

Miles was genuinely listening.

No interruptions.

No disrespect.

No arrogance.

Only focus.

June quietly observed the entire atmosphere.

Even she could see how seriously Miles was paying attention.

After nearly an hour

The pitch finally ended.

Silence filled the conference room for a few moments.

Alice nervously waited.

Kate also looked tense.

Then Miles slowly smiled.

"You worked very hard Miss Alice."

"Your vision is genuinely amazing."

"I am sure…"

"We can make this very big together."

Relief instantly appeared on Alice's face.

"Thank you Mr. Sterling…"

But then Miles calmly added.

"I have one condition."

Alice straightened slightly.

"Please tell me."

Miles calmly spoke.

"You have to move here."

Alice blinked.

"…what?"

Miles continued naturally.

"Yes."

"Move Tulip Corp to Star Harbor."

"I will arrange an entire floor for your company inside Soul Tower."

Alice's eyes widened.

Miles continued speaking as if it was a simple matter.

"I will help relocate your employees."

"Their families too."

"Bring your entire team here."

"I will make sure your client base multiplies tenfold."

Alice looked completely overwhelmed now.

"Mr. Sterling…"

"But relocating here would cost an enormous amount…"

Miles calmly shook his head.

"Miss Alice."

"I know you are hardworking."

"And visionary."

"Think about it carefully."

"The Republic of Haven provides significantly better tax benefits than New York."

"Better business relief policies too."

"You can move your entire operation here without spending a single dollar."

"Sterling Enterprises will handle everything."

Alice stared at him speechlessly.

Miles continued.

"I am not buying your company."

"You will retain every decision making right."

"Your creative freedom stays yours."

"Only the location changes."

Then his voice softened slightly.

"I respect hardworking people."

"Especially hardworking women."

" Even my mom runs a successful restaurant in the city."

"And honestly…"

"I think both you and your company deserve far better treatment than what you received."

Alice quietly lowered her eyes for a moment.

The frustration she carried for years suddenly felt acknowledged.

Miles continued calmly.

"You only need to convince your employees to move."

"I will arrange housing support here."

Alice slowly looked up again.

Her eyes carried emotions now.

"Mr. Sterling…"

"Why are you doing all this for our company?"

"The offer you are giving…"

"The recognition…"

"I never expected any of this."

She softly laughed bitterly.

"Everywhere I went…"

"The investors either disrespected me…"

"Or demanded things completely unrelated to business."

"I almost lost faith honestly."

Then she looked directly at Miles.

"But after watching the news about you…"

"I do not know why…"

"I just felt maybe you would help me."

Miles quietly listened.

Then he softly smiled.

"Why?"

"Well…"

"Apart from the fact that your business will grow massively here…"

"I have two more reasons."

Alice listened carefully.

Miles casually leaned back.

"First…"

"I genuinely love the game."

"But your company is based in New York."

"And honestly…"

"I do not like staying away from my family anymore."

His voice became quieter.

"I already lost seventeen years away from them."

"So if I ever want to visit Tulip Corp…"

"I would rather do it here."

Alice silently looked at him.

Then Miles lightly pointed toward her presentation screen.

"And second…"

"I think you need a good mentor."

Alice looked at him with growing admiration.

Is this really the same man she thinks he is?

Miles then suddenly looked toward the conference room door.

"So…"

"What do you think?"

"If you agree…"

"I am ready to fully fund the entire project."

Alice immediately answered without hesitation now.

"Getting mentorship from Sterling Enterprises is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"I accept your condition."

"We will move Tulip Corp to Star Harbor."

Miles smiled warmly.

"Great decision."

Then he shook his head slightly.

"But…"

"I am not your mentor here."

Alice blinked.

"…huh?"

Miles looked toward the door.

"She is."

Then he calmly spoke.

"Monica."

"Please come in."

The conference room door opened.

Monica walked inside elegantly.

"Hello Alice."

Alice instantly froze again.

Her eyes widened completely.

"You…"

"You are Miss Monica from Reaper Group…"