Chapter 302: Can you pick her up from the airport??

More weeks quietly passed in Star Harbor.

The city had completely recovered from the fear and chaos caused by the Al Qiyan incident.

The markets were lively again.

The ports were operating day and night.

The citizens had slowly returned to their peaceful routines.

But one shadow still remained missing.

Avelin.

She disappeared somewhere in New York after escaping the Secret Service raid.

The Haven Secret Service along with Sterling Security agents had men searching for her everywhere.

Hotels.

Private ports.

Airfields.

Safehouses.

Underground brokers.

Yet...

Nothing.

It was as if she vanished into thin air.

Even Charles admitted she was frighteningly skilled at disappearing.

Meanwhile...

Miles had recovered from most of his external injuries now.

The bruises were gone.

The cuts had healed.

The bandages disappeared one after another.

Only faint scars remained hidden beneath his clothes now.

He had returned to working normally again.

Though Elena still worried every single day.

Today...

Miles was visiting one of Sterling Enterprise’s most important facilities.

The Defense Research Institute.

A massive institution jointly partnered with the Haven government itself.

Like Sterling Arms and Weapon Division. the entire facility stood far from the crowded parts of Star Harbor.

Layers of security surrounded the place.

Tall fences.

Automated surveillance.

Armed security patrols.

Drone monitoring systems.

The moment Miles entered the facility with June...

Researchers and engineers respectfully greeted him while continuing their work.

The atmosphere inside felt completely different from ordinary corporate offices.

There were no luxurious decorations.

Only technology.

Machines.

Research stations.

Glass labs.

Prototype testing areas.

Innovation.

Miles slowly walked through one of the giant research halls while observing a prototype military exoskeleton displayed behind reinforced glass.

A young engineer immediately became nervous seeing him personally inspecting the project.

Miles carefully observed the mechanical suit.

Lightweight armored plating.

Artificial movement support.

Magnetic locking systems.

Hydraulic joints.

June smiled while explaining.

"This model focuses on helping soldiers carry heavier loads without exhausting their bodies."

Miles nodded slowly.

"Good."

"Wars are not won by making soldiers suffer more."

"They need protection too."

The young engineer looked proud hearing that.

Further ahead...

Another section displayed advanced military drones hovering inside testing chambers.

Some were designed for surveillance.

Some for combat support.

Some for emergency medical delivery in war zones.

Miles stopped near one particular drone prototype.

It looked sleek.

Deadly.

Silent.

June opened the holographic presentation beside it.

"This one was designed by a university student team."

"It can operate in harsh weather and low visibility environments."

Miles looked genuinely impressed.

"Our young minds are incredible."

His eyes slowly moved across the entire hall.

Researchers.

Young developers.

Scientists.

Programmers.

Engineers.

Most of them were in their twenties.

Working passionately.

Dreaming fearlessly.

Miles softly smiled.

"I am very proud that our young minds have such ideas."

June nodded proudly too.

"It was actually Flora’s idea."

"She suggested conducting innovation contests in technology universities around the city."

"Right now..."

"We are also incubating young talent apart from the defense projects."

Miles looked surprised for a second.

Then he chuckled softly.

"That really sounds like Flora."

They continued walking deeper into the facility.

Another massive chamber opened before them.

This section focused on missile technology and defense systems.

Large digital screens displayed simulations.

Target tracking systems rotated automatically.

Researchers discussed calculations near projection tables.

A missile guidance prototype stood in the center under bright lights.

Miles folded his arms while observing the display carefully.

"It still amazes me..."

"That humans can create things capable of both protection and destruction at the same time."

June quietly looked toward him.

Then Miles suddenly spoke again.

"We should expand the contest."

"Not just Star Harbor."

"The entire country."

"Every college."

"Every institution."

"We should give students opportunities to innovate."

June immediately nodded while noting things down on her tablet.

"I will discuss it with Dion."

Miles remained thoughtful.

Then another idea appeared in his mind.

"Also..."

"I was thinking..."

"We should establish proper incubation centers for young minds across the country."

"Students with talent should never lose opportunities because of money or lack of support."

June’s eyes brightened.

"That is actually an amazing idea."

"I think so too."

A familiar voice suddenly came from behind them.

Miles turned around.

Dion slowly walked toward them carrying several files.

He still looked slightly exhausted these days.

Mostly because Flora’s pregnancy had completely changed his daily life.

Miles laughed lightly.

"Dion?"

"Weren’t you working from home?"

Dion sighed dramatically.

"I come here occasionally."

Miles immediately asked.

"How is Flora?"

Dion looked both tired and happy at the same time.

"She is doing well."

"Though..."

"She craves strange things every few hours."

Miles burst into laughter.

"Well..."

"You are learning new things every day."

Dion pointed at him immediately.

"Hey."

"Don’t laugh at me."

"One day you will realize how difficult it is to handle demands."

Miles instantly sighed.

"Forget about me."

"I am just waiting for the day I become uncle."

Dion chuckled.

"Me too."

Miles casually asked.

"Care for lunch?"

Dion immediately shook his head.

"I will pass this time."

"If I do not finish what she cooked..."

"I am done."

Miles laughed even harder now.

"I am kinda enjoying this."

Dion sighed helplessly.

"You enjoy."

Then he suddenly pressed Miles lightly on his shoulders and arms while inspecting him.

"How are the injuries?"

Miles immediately grinned.

"Don’t."

"My mom will kill you if she sees me in pain."

Dion smirked slightly.

"Hnm."

"You deserve a little pain."

"You fought alone without even calling your brother."

Miles became quieter for a second.

Then he smiled faintly.

"Yeah."

"I brought you into a normal life."

"I am not taking you back into that darkness."

"Flora would kill both of us."

Dion shook his head helplessly.

Then he looked toward June.

"I like the incubation center idea."

"Go ahead with it."

Miles nodded.

"Take care."

Dion waved once before leaving the research hall again.

Miles watched him leave with a small smile.

Then he looked toward June.

"Prepare a separate department for this project."

"Bring professors from well known universities."

"These centers will come under Sterling Foundation."

Then he softly chuckled.

"I was wondering how to spend this much money."

"But honestly..."

"I feel good having Sterling Foundation now."

June smiled warmly.

"I will prepare everything."

Then she remembered something else.

"Also..."

"Employees of Tulip Corp have already started moving here."

"Our real estate and construction divisions already prepared housing for them."

"We waived off rent for six months until the company settles properly."

Miles nodded approvingly.

"Good."

"How long will full transition take?"

June checked her tablet.

"They already started small operations from Soul Tower."

"Everything should be fully shifted within this week."

Then she added with a small smile.

"Sister Monica is personally helping them settle here."

Miles slowly looked outside the giant glass wall of the institute.

Far away...

Star Harbor shined beneath the afternoon sunlight.

Peaceful.

Growing.

Alive.

A week later...

Inside a black luxury car...

Miles slowly drove towards Cinder Square from the Sterling Security Base.

The sunlight reflected over the windshield while soft music played quietly inside the vehicle.

His body had mostly recovered now.

Though sometimes his ribs still reminded him about that battle.

Especially after physical activity.

Earlier today...

Miles spent hours at the Sterling Security training grounds.

The entire base was more active than ever after the Al Qiyan incident.

New recruits had joined rapidly.

Ex- soldiers, men and women from all over Haven wanted to become part of Sterling Security now.

Miles himself personally supervised part of the training session.

Shooting drills.

Close combat simulations.

Mental discipline exercises.

The recruits looked at him with almost unreal admiration.

Even now...

As Miles drove through the roads...

He still remembered their expressions.

He sighed helplessly.

"I cannot believe Charles is using my combat feed with those killers to motivate them."

He lightly shook his head.

"Those new recruits were looking at me like I am some kind of God or something."

He could still remember how one rookie nearly forgot to breathe while watching the footage.

Another one looked ready to worship him.

Miles honestly found it uncomfortable.

His phone suddenly rang.

The name displayed on the screen.

Monica.

Miles immediately answered through the car system.

"Yes Monica?"

Monica’s calm voice came from the other side.

"Where are you boss?"

Miles smirked faintly while keeping one hand on the steering wheel.

"Stop asking questions when you are already tracking my car."

Monica instantly coughed lightly.

Then spoke normally.

"I will get to the point then."

"Will you help me with something?"

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Tell me."

Monica replied immediately.

"My friend is coming to Star Harbor."

"Her flight lands in a few minutes."

"As the airport is on your way..."

"Can you pick her up for me?"

Miles blinked once.

"Me?"

Monica sounded completely serious.

"Yes."

"She is kinda my close friend."

"I am engaged in something important right now."

"And she will get mad when she finds out I sent some random driver to pick her up."

Then she added shamelessly.

"You are my cousin."

"So please help me."

Miles sighed deeply.

"What kind of friend is she?"

Monica laughed softly.

"So is that a yes?"

Miles finally gave up.

"Alright alright."

"How will I find her?"

Monica immediately answered.

"Just wait in the parking lot."

"I will tell her your car description and license plate."

Miles nodded slightly.

"Okay."

"Okay."

Monica sounded genuinely relieved.

"You are a lifesaver."

"Thanks boss."

The call ended.

Miles stared ahead at the road for a few seconds.

"That was kinda weird..."

"What kind of friend is she..."

Then he shrugged. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Anyways..."

"I was already going the same way."

"So it is better that I pick her up."

The car smoothly changed lanes and headed toward Star Harbor International Airport.

...

Meanwhile...

At Star Harbor International Airport...

A massive aircraft slowly landed on the runway.

Passengers gradually began exiting through the terminal gates.

Among them...

A young woman stepped out while lightly fixing her hair behind her ear.

Chloe Moreau.

She finally arrived in Star Harbor.

She wore comfortable oversized clothes suitable for travel.

A loose cream colored hoodie.

Black fitted pants.

White sneakers.

Her long hair rested naturally over her shoulders.

Round glasses sat gently on her face.

She looked sleepy.

Beautiful.

And exhausted.

There were faint dark circles under her eyes from lack of proper sleep.

Still...

There was a quiet elegance around her that naturally drew attention.

She slowly walked through the airport while dragging her luggage behind her.

Passengers moved around her.

Airport announcements echoed repeatedly overhead.

Chloe rubbed her forehead tiredly.

"This timezone change will kill me..."

"I seriously need coffee..."

She picked up her luggage from the carousel and immediately headed toward a nearby café.

A few minutes later...

She stepped out holding a hot coffee cup in one hand.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

The screen displayed.

Lissy.

Chloe instantly answered.

And her tired voice immediately changed into a childish complaint.

"Lissy..."

"Where are you..."

"My head is hell..."

Alice laughed softly from the other side.

"Well..."

"That is your own fault for not sleeping the whole night before the flight."

Then she added carefully.

"I am not coming."

"I got busy..."

"But I sent someone."

"He is waiting in the parking lot, I sent you the car description."

Chloe immediately frowned while sipping coffee.

"What?"

"Hnmph..."

"You lied to me."

Alice smiled helplessly.

"Sorry."

"Come soon okay?"

The call ended.

Chloe sighed dramatically while holding her luggage handle.

"Traitor..."

Then she slowly walked toward the airport parking lot while drinking coffee.

The evening wind lightly moved her hair as she stepped outside.

Rows of vehicles stood parked beneath the fading sunlight.

And somewhere nearby...

Someone waited unknowingly inside his car.

To be continued...