CHAPTER 122: STAR HARBOR MAP!!!

"Brother Miles!" Chase’s voice rang with excitement as soon as he spotted him.

Every face turned instinctively toward the figure walking up from the maple forest path. Miles, dressed in training gear with a towel draped across his shoulders, looked calm yet commanding, the morning light tracing the sharp lines of his face.

"Chase," Miles said with a faint smile, his voice steady but touched with warmth. "Nice to see you here. How are you doing?"

"All good, brother," Chase answered, barely hiding the grin tugging at his lips. He stepped forward eagerly, then gestured to the three standing beside him. "Meet my friends—Cole, Isabelle, and Sophia."

Miles nodded, his gaze shifting to the group.

"Hello, everyone. Welcome to Star Harbor. Let’s go in."

Cole scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Hello, Brother Miles. Chase talks about you a lot."

Miles’s lips curved slightly. "Looks like everyone already knows me, then."

Chase flushed red, pressing his hand against his forehead. "Ah... don’t remind me."

Behind them, Grant bowed respectfully to Miles before silently returning to the car. The sleek black vehicle rolled down the drive, leaving the family and their guests in the quiet embrace of Pearl Villa.

Inside, the villa was alive with morning light. Tall windows spilled golden rays across polished floors, the soft rustle of curtains fluttering as the sea breeze carried through the hall. Chase’s friends looked around wide-eyed, their steps slowing as they tried to take it all in.

Sophia clasped her hands together. "It’s... beautiful. So warm."

Isabelle spun slightly, her eyes on the high ceiling and elegant décor. "Indeed. I’ve never seen a house like this before."

Just then, two streaks of energy burst through the living room—Hope chasing after Asher in their school uniforms, laughter echoing.

"Big bro, save me!" Asher cried, darting behind Miles’s legs. He peeked out, clutching Miles’s tracks as if they were armor.

Hope stopped short, her gaze landing on the new arrivals. Her eyes widened curiously. "Big bro, are they your friends?"

Miles ruffled Asher’s hair gently before motioning them closer. "Come on, you two. Let me introduce you to someone." He placed a hand on Chase’s shoulder, pride flickering in his eyes. "This is your cousin—Brother Chase."

Chase crouched slightly, his smile gentle. "Hello, little ones."

"Hello, big brother," Hope and Asher said in unison, their voices small and sweet.

Isabelle clasped her hands against her chest, eyes sparkling. "They’re such cuties."

Sophia’s voice softened, her eyes lingering on the twins. "Adorable... It feels like stepping into a novel. Cousins, family, twins... it’s all so perfect."

Cole jabbed Chase lightly in the ribs with a smirk. "I’m jealous of you, dude. You’ve got everything here."

The laughter and chatter filled the space, weaving seamlessly with the warmth of the villa. Soon, Daniel joined them, his familiar presence bringing another layer of welcome. He shook Cole’s hand firmly, greeted the girls warmly, and clapped Chase’s shoulder with the affection of an uncle.

"Welcome," he said with sincerity. "You’re family here. Make yourselves at home."

And then, from the kitchen, Elena appeared. Her apron still dusted with flour, her hands carrying the faint scent of spices, she paused as her eyes fell on Chase.

"Mom," Miles said softly, "look who’s here."

Elena froze for just a moment. Her gaze locked onto Chase, and something stirred deep inside her. There was a shadow of familiarity in his features—the tilt of his eyes, the sharpness of his jaw. A memory of her elder brother flickered alive.

Chase stepped forward, voice respectful, almost trembling. "Hello, Aunt. Nice to meet you."

Elena’s eyes softened instantly. She moved closer, wrapping him in a light embrace. "Hello. You finally came to see me. You’ve grown so much..." Her voice trembled, and her hand brushed his cheek lightly. "You look so much like your father."

For a moment, time was still in the villa.

The Pearl Villa glowed with warmth that morning. Elena welcomed the guests with all the affection of a mother, her smile genuine, her words filled with care. Staff members stepped in, politely bowing, showing the visitors to their prepared rooms. Luggage was carried upstairs with quiet efficiency.

Hope and Asher, tugged by the ticking clock, soon left for school—though not without sneaking one last curious look at Chase and his friends.

By the time everyone had freshened up, they regrouped downstairs. The dining hall table was already set, the aroma of breakfast spreading across the room.

Daniel, ever the thoughtful host, had something prepared beyond just food. He laid out a folder and a few brochures, sliding them across the table toward the young guests.

"As a Star Harbor native, I’ve put together a small plan for your vacation here," he explained with a proud smile. "Beaches, markets, hidden corners of the city worth seeing. You’ll have more than enough to enjoy."

The group leaned closer, excitement lighting their eyes as the day’s new possibilities unfolded.

And thus, with laughter, food, and family, the first morning of their stay began

The group decided to spend their first day lightly. After freshening up, they agreed to rest in the villa through the morning, then accompany Elena in the afternoon to visit The Atelier. Miles had already arranged a car and a driver for them. Chase, Cole, Isabelle, and Sophia seemed excited, while Elena prepared a little tour in her mind, eager to show them the restaurant she had built from her heart.

But Miles had other matters waiting.

By late morning, he was behind the wheel of his own car, the city skyline reflecting in his windshield as he headed toward Sterling Enterprises.

The glass doors of the building opened with a quiet hiss, and soon Miles stepped into the elevator. There, he found June already waiting. She greeted him with a professional smile.

"Good morning, Boss. You seem in a good mood."

Miles adjusted the cuffs of his suit, a faint smirk tugging his lips.

"Chase is here in the city with his friends."

June’s brows rose slightly.

"You mean... Miss Monica’s younger brother, Chase?"

"Yes," Miles said simply, his tone softer than usual. "Mom’s happy to see him."

June smiled, an expression rare but genuine. "That’s good to hear."

The elevator hummed quietly as it ascended, the city shrinking beneath them. Through the glass panels, Miles noticed several broadcast vans rolling out of the plaza, satellite dishes still glinting under the sun.

"The media floor seems busy today," he observed. "I saw half the vans already moving out."

"Actually," June replied, glancing down at her tablet, "Africa’s successful minerals businessman, Kenan, is here in the city. He’s making some exclusive deals for logistics at the Star Harbor port. There’s a press conference with the mayor this afternoon."

Miles’s eyes narrowed, though a smile crept slowly across his face.

"Kenan... here, in Star Harbor?"

June tilted her head. "Do you know him personally, Boss?"

Miles let the question hang, his smirk deepening.

"That’s perfect timing. Ask Monica to arrange a meeting with him. Not with Miles Sterling." His tone shifted, cold and sharp.

"But with the Ghost."

June’s lips curved, eyes gleaming faintly. "Copy that, Boss."

The elevator dinged. The doors slid open.

As they stepped into the executive floor, Miles added, "One more thing. I’ll need another bank card. I gave mine to Father."

June chuckled lightly. "Miss Monica sent your new card already. I placed it on your desk."

Miles arched a brow, amused. "How does she always know?"

"I don’t know," June said with a small shrug. "But she mentioned it’s a new card with... no limit."

Miles’s expression remained calm, but his eyes carried that sharp glint of approval.

"Alright."

He entered his office, the doors closing softly behind him.

Miles stood before the wide screen in his office, the map of Star Harbor glowing in sharp detail.

The city stretched across the digital display, colored overlays marking territories. Blue zones shimmered where Sterling Enterprises operated. In red, another layer appeared, more discreet but no less powerful—the domain of the Reaper.

Star Central Mall. St. Patrick’s University. And the construction site where Sterling Construction quietly worked on a Reaper-backed project.

Scattered dots showed smaller acquisitions—warehouses, private lots, and businesses Monica had secured before Miles started living in Star Harbor.

Yet even with this spread, the south side of the city remained empty. Vast, flourishing, and untouched. The one gap in his growing web.

Miles’s eyes narrowed. That will change.

He pressed the discreet button on his desk. Within moments, June appeared, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor.

"You don’t really have to run every time, you know," Miles said with a faint smirk.

June flushed slightly, adjusting her glasses. "Boss, actually—Miss Monica just responded. Kenan has agreed to meet you today. Where should I schedule it?"

Miles didn’t look away from the map. "Here."

June blinked, caught off guard. "Here? In officer?"

"Yes," Miles replied calmly. "Don’t worry. Kenan’s a good fellow. It doesn’t matter if he sees who I really am."

Understanding flickered across her face, but she only nodded. "Alright, boss." She tapped swiftly across her tablet. "Done."

Miles finally turned to her. "The reason I called you—help me identify properties or businesses for sale in the south side. The area is too quiet on our map."

June followed his gaze to the display. A small smile curved her lips. "Alright, boss. I’ll begin scouting."

The office fell quiet again once she left. Miles remained standing before the screen, one hand in his pocket, the other resting on the desk. The city stretched across the map like a living organism, and he was slowly drawing its veins into his grasp.

The afternoon sun spilled through the glass wall, golden light glinting against the polished surface of his desk. The live broadcast on his smaller screen showed the press conference in progress—the mayor’s voice booming as cameras flashed. Beside him sat Kenan, sharp-suited and calm, drawing the attention of the city’s media.

Miles’s eyes lingered on him.