CHAPTER 156: ADULTRATION??

Morning — Pearl Villa

The morning sunlight slipped through the tall glass windows of the Pearl Villa, painting the breakfast table in a soft golden hue. The air smelled faintly of toast and coffee, the comforting hum of another quiet family morning.

Miles sat at his usual spot, sleeves rolled up, casually spreading peanut butter on his toast. The twins sat opposite — Hope already swinging her little legs beneath the chair, Asher trying to balance his spoon upright in his glass of milk.

Elena was pouring juice, Daniel behind the newspaper as always. The calm, warm kind of peace only families knew.

Then, something small tugged at Miles’s attention.

Hope wasn’t eating. She was biting the corner of her toast, her tiny brows drawn down, eyes distant — like her mind was someplace else.

Miles lowered his toast. "What is it, Hope? Everything alright?"

Hope’s eyes lifted slowly, and she gave a little sigh. "Big broo... I’m sad."

Miles tilted his head. "Sad? Why are you sad?"

Hope’s voice came soft, trembling slightly. "Stella said she will come to play with us at home yesterday... but she didn’t come. I called her, the number we shared last week, but she’s not picking up."

She looked at her plate, small hands pressing her toast flat. "I think she’s upset with me."

Miles frowned lightly, half-smile still playing on his lips. "Why would she be upset with you?"

Hope hesitated. "I promised to show her my new toy — the one you bought me — but I forgot it at home when we met at the park. I said sorry, but maybe she’s still mad at me."

Miles reached over, brushing a bit of hair off her face. "Don’t worry, soldier. I don’t think she’s upset. Maybe she’s just busy. I’ll talk to her dad, Liam, later. Okay?"

Hope looked up with brightening eyes. "You’ll really talk to him?"

Miles nodded with a reassuring grin. "Of course. Consider it done."

Daniel, quietly folding the newspaper, suddenly paused at the name. His expression changed slightly — subtle, but Miles caught it.

"Miles," Daniel said carefully, "this Liam you’re talking about... what’s his last name?"

Miles thought for a moment. "Liam... uh, Rodriguez. He’s the MD at Venus Foods. Why?"

Daniel’s brows furrowed, a shadow of realization flickering behind his calm exterior. "Did you check the news this morning?"

Miles shook his head, reaching for his coffee. "No, I didn’t. Is there something I should see?"

Daniel’s eyes briefly darted to the twins, who were listening curiously now, then back to Miles. His tone softened. "Maybe check it later."

Elena, unaware of the shift, raised her brow. "What is it about?"

Daniel folded the paper. "Just business-related stuff, dear. Nothing to worry the kids about."

Elena gave him a playful look. "Since when are you so interested in business news, hmm?"

Daniel smiled faintly. "Your son’s making me learn a thing or two."

Miles laughed, shaking his head. "Mom, Father just gives me advice now and then — ideas I steal sometimes."

Elena chuckled. "Oh, I never knew he had any to give."

Daniel put a hand over his chest in mock offense, earning giggles from the twins.

Miles leaned back, smiling at them all — though a quiet unease stirred beneath his calm surface. He turned to Hope again. "Don’t worry, little one. I’ll check what’s going on with Stella and her dad. I promise."

Hope brightened instantly. "Thanks, big broo!"

The laughter returned, the breakfast chatter resumed, and for a while it all felt normal again.

But when breakfast ended and the twins ran off to get ready for school, Miles finally checked his phone — the screen lighting up with multiple notifications.

A headline caught his attention. "Sterling Media: Breaking News — Venus Foods Under Fire."

He tapped the link.

The video opened.

The bright studio lights flashed behind the poised anchorwoman on-screen. Her voice carried the calm tone of a professional — but beneath it was the edge of chaos.

"Yesterday, the Food Safety and Security Department raided a factory located in Star Harbor belonging to Venus Foods International. The company has been charged with large-scale adulteration of food products."

The footage cut to the raid — men in hazmat suits, flashing cameras, boxes being confiscated.

"Further investigation revealed that the adulteration was not accidental — but a result of illegal substance manufacturing being conducted in the same facility. Several samples have already been sent for forensic testing."

Miles leaned forward, his jaw tightening.

The scene changed again — to a press conference room, where a tall, middle-aged Korean man stood before reporters, surrounded by microphones. His name tag read: ’CEO — Park Hyun-joon.’

Park’s expression was cold, deliberate.

"This is a matter of utmost seriousness," he said through the flashing lights. "We will conduct a deep internal investigation. Our managing director in Star Harbor division, Mr. Liam Rodriguez, has been charged and is under police custody for questioning. Venus Foods does not tolerate criminal acts, and we are cooperating with authorities."

The screen then filled with chaotic street footage — protesters shouting, waving banners. "Stop poisoning us!" and "Justice for Consumers!" echoed through the air. The city was alive with outrage.

Miles’s hands clenched around the phone. The world around him seemed to go quiet — even his own breath sounded distant.

Liam.

The father of that cheerful little girl who was still waiting for her playdate.

Miles stood up so abruptly his chair scraped across the floor.He grabbed his coat, car keys, and phone — his steps sharp, precise, fast. The door shut behind him, leaving the faint echo of the breakfast warmth behind.

A few seconds later, the engine of his car roared to life. Tires screeched against the pavement as Miles Sterling’s black sedan cut through the quiet suburban road and toward the storm of the city.

His only thought — "Stella."

The dashboard flickered, the light from the display reflecting against Miles’s focused eyes. The call indicator blinked Monica – Secure Line, and her voice came through the car’s speakers — calm, efficient, and edged with concern.

"Boss, regarding the information you asked for," Monica began. "Liam Rodriguez is currently in Star Harbor PD custody. The public prosecutor has already taken the case under special review."

Miles tightened his grip on the steering wheel. The traffic lights ahead turned red, bathing the interior of the car in a dull crimson hue.

"He didn’t hire a lawyer himself?"

Monica hesitated before answering, her tone shifting slightly. "That’s the strange part, boss. The company’s legal representative denied involvement, claiming ’conflict of interest.’ And his personal family lawyer—left the city last night. No trail, no forwarding."

Miles exhaled sharply through his nose. "What is the play here?"

"There’s definitely something off," Monica said. "The whole setup smells like a cleanup job. A man like Liam—steady career, no controversy—and suddenly the entire legal side abandons him overnight?"

The light turned green, and Miles’s car surged forward, tires slicing through the wet asphalt. The rain clouds had started to form above, turning the harbor skyline into gray steel.

He spoke low, deliberate. "What about his daughter?"

There was a pause.

Monica’s voice came back quieter. "...Daughter? The police report didn’t mention any dependent or child during the arrest."

Miles’s jaw tightened. "What?"

Monica’s silence stretched a beat longer than it should have.

Miles’s tone hardened. "Arrange an investigation immediately. Find out where his daughter is. I want her location."

"Understood," Monica replied, her voice regaining firmness. "I’ll dispatch the intel team now."

Miles took a sharp left, the car banking as it turned onto the road leading toward Star Harbor Police Headquarters. The building’s silhouette was visible in the distance.

"Monica," he said again.

"Yes, boss?"

"Send a legal representative to the station. Make sure he has authority papers."

"Already on it," she replied crisply. "He’s en route and will arrive before you. He should be enough to secure you a meeting with Liam."

Miles’s eyes narrowed at the road ahead, reflections of passing police cruisers glinting in his pupils. "Good. I’ll handle it from there."

The line clicked dead.

Only the sound of the car engine and the faint hum of the city remained — before Miles pressed harder on the accelerator.

The tires screeched again, and his car cut through the city’s narrow lanes, heading straight toward the Star Harbor Police Department — where truth and danger were waiting in the same room.

The black sedan rolled to a halt at the front steps of the Star Harbor Police Department.

The hum of the city fell away under the heavy stillness of authority that followed Miles wherever he went. Another car pulled in behind him, sleek and tinted — the Sterling Security legal vehicle.

A man in a navy suit stepped out immediately, straight-backed, crisp folder in hand.

"Hello, boss," he greeted with professional composure. "I’m Singh, from the legal division. The paperwork is ready — full clearance and court authorization."

Miles adjusted his coat, his expression calm but razor-focused. "Thank you for coming on such short notice, Mr. Singh."

Singh gave a short, respectful nod. "Anything for you, boss. Let’s go in."

They walked up the marble steps, the glass doors parting silently as they entered the main lobby.

Inside, conversations dimmed. Heads turned. The faint murmur of police radios filled the air as uniformed officers straightened unconsciously at the sight of him.

They knew who he was.

Miles Sterling, honorary general in the provincial army.

A few younger officers at the desk immediately stood and saluted, their movements quick, almost nervous. "General Sterling, sir."

Miles gave a polite nod and continued walking, his shoes echoing sharply against the tiled floor.

Within minutes, another familiar figure appeared from the corridor — Captain Sam, his badge glinting faintly under the white lights.

He moved briskly toward them and raised his hand in salute.

"Greetings, General."

Miles returned a short nod. "Hello, Captain."

Sam’s eyes shifted briefly to Singh, recognizing him instantly. "I see you brought Mr. Singh with you. You could’ve just called me, General. I would’ve arranged everything personally."

Miles’s voice was composed, but his gaze was serious. "I appreciate that, Captain. But I don’t want to do anything that might interfere with your ongoing case. This visit is... procedural."

Sam folded his hands behind his back, a flicker of understanding passing through his expression. "I see. Then I’ll make sure the process remains smooth."

Miles stepped closer, lowering his tone. "Let’s get to the point, Captain. I want to see Liam Rodriguez."

The room went still again — the officers at the front desks exchanged quiet glances, sensing the shift in atmosphere.

Sam gave a single sharp nod. "Understood, sir. I’ll take you to him myself."

Miles turned briefly toward Mr. Singh. "You handle the formalities. I’ll meet you inside."

Singh nodded, already walking toward the reception desk, unfolding his files like a man used to cutting through red tape.

As Miles followed Captain Sam down the hallway toward the holding cells, the air grew heavier — the lights colder.

Every step echoed like a drumbeat toward confrontation.

To be continued...