CHAPTER 96: FLOPPY!!

Miles leaned back in his seat, a satisfied grin on his face. "That’s great."

"June."

"Yes, boss," she replied, glancing at him.

"Any floors left at Cinder Square?" he asked.

June thought for a moment. "Apart from our Cinder Square operation floors, we have Sterling Media and the jewelry brand HO, which is managed by Miss April. There are still some floors available. Other businesses are already operating from the other Sterling Enterprises office. The weapons and arms division is still running from the Wraithbourne’s office."

Miles’ eyes sharpened with decision. "Move the operations of the weapons and arms division to Cinder Square. And prepare the office for Dion and Flora."

June gave a small nod. "Alright, boss. It will be done by tomorrow."

Flora tilted her head with a playful look. "You don’t sound like the Ghost we know."

Dion added with a grin, "It’s like you’re a completely different person."

Miles glanced at them with a faint smirk. "Really?"

Flora’s tone softened. "It’s good to see you normal though."

Dion burst into laughter, shaking his head.

Miles frowned in mock offence. "Why are you laughing? Am I not normal?"

Dion chuckled even harder. "Normal? Are you kidding?"

June smiled from the front seat. "They’re right though."

Miles turned to her with exaggerated disbelief. "You too, June?"

The car slowed as they reached the Pearl Villa, its modern lines glowing under the evening lights.

Flora’s eyes widened in astonishment. "Is that your home?"

Miles grinned. "Yup."

The gates swung open, and the car rolled inside before coming to a stop.

They stepped out, the faint scent of garden flowers drifting through the air. June adjusted her bag. "Okay, boss, I’m leaving then."

"You’re leaving already?" Miles asked, slightly surprised. "Why don’t you stay for dinner?"

June shook her head politely. "It’s okay, boss. I’ll come some other time. I have a few things to do before the day ends."

Miles gave her a softer look. "Alright. But take care. Don’t overdo it."

"Thanks, boss. Good night," she said before getting into her car and driving away.

The villa’s main door swung open, and Daniel appeared in the warm glow of the living room. "Oh, we have guests. No wonder the kitchen smells like a restaurant tonight."

His gaze fell on Flora, curiosity in his eyes. "And who might this young lady be?"

Miles stepped forward. "Father, she’s Dion’s fiancée."

Flora smiled warmly. "Hello, uncle. Nice to meet you."

Daniel’s expression softened instantly. "Welcome. Come on in, have a seat."

Asher and Hope, who had been running through the hallways in a whirlwind of giggles, came skidding to a stop in the living room.

Hope’s wide curious eyes fixed on Flora, studying her like a new character in their story.

Asher piped up, his tone full of excitement. "Big brother Dion, you brought sister-in-law."

Dion smiled, his voice gentle. "Yes. Meet your sister-in-law, Flora."

The two children stepped forward shyly and greeted her with a soft hello.

Flora couldn’t hold back her delight. She knelt down, patting their heads. "You two are so cute. Call me Sister Flora."

Hope’s smile bloomed. "Thank you, Big Sister Flora."

Flora clasped her hands together, her voice playful. "Can I have them? They’re so cute."

Miles raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by have them?"

Flora laughed, shaking her head. "I’m just kidding."

Asher’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Big Sister Flora, do you like flowers? Like the fairy Flora from the TV show?"

Flora tilted her head. "Fairy Flora? Is it good?"

Hope nodded eagerly. "Yes, Sister. It’s my favorite show."

Flora smiled warmly. "I love flowers."

Asher grinned. "We have so many in the garden."

From the kitchen doorway, Elena appeared. Her eyes lit up as she saw Flora. "Oh my... you are pretty indeed."

Flora stood quickly, smiling with respect. "Hello, Aunt. Thank you for inviting us."

Elena stepped closer, her tone warm. "It’s nothing. I should be the one thanking both of you for taking care of my son all these years."

Flora’s gaze softened. "We kind of took care of each other."

Elena gestured toward the table. "Have a seat, dear. Dinner is ready."

Moments later, the staff emerged carrying platters and bowls, each filled with dishes Elena had lovingly prepared herself. The rich aromas filled the room, drawing everyone closer to the table.

The first bite brought an instant smile to Flora’s face. "It’s delicious, Aunt. I wish I could cook like this."

Across the table, Miles and Dion exchanged a look and broke into laughter.

Flora set her fork down, narrowing her eyes in mock annoyance. "Hey, you two... why are you laughing?"

Miles leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Last time you cooked, you made a mess in the kitchen."

Dion chuckled. "Yep. We had to clean it because you got called in for work."

Flora crossed her arms. "You two are mean."

Elena reached over with a gentle smile. "Don’t worry, dear. I’ll teach you."

Flora’s eyes lit up instantly. "Really? Thank you, Aunt."

Dion smirked, his voice teasing. "Thank you, Aunt," he echoed, clearly enjoying her flustered expression.

Flora shot him a playful glare. "You..."

The table erupted in laughter, the air warm with joy and the easy comfort of family, each shared word weaving them closer together.

Dinner ended, the warm chatter fading into the gentle clink of cutlery being cleared away.

Hope tugged at Miles’s sleeve with bright eyes. "Big broo, did you bring crayons?"

Miles leaned back in his chair, a small smile tugging at his lips. "They’re already in your room."

Hope spun on her heel, already heading toward the hallway. "Thanks, big broo."

"Wait," Miles called.

Hope paused mid-step, turning her head. "Yes, big broo?"

"Can you show Big Sister Flora her room?"

Hope’s face lit up instantly. "Yes, big broo. Come, Big Sister Flora, I’ll show you your room."

Flora rose from her chair, her soft laughter following as she fell into step beside the little girl. Hope’s hair bounced with each step, the strands catching the warm lights of the hallway as the two disappeared toward the guest wing.

The living room settled into a quieter hum. Dion sat beside Miles, Elena across from them, her hands folded in her lap.

Dion’s gaze drifted to the wall behind him. Something caught his eye — a picture frame. He stood, curiosity pulling him closer. "Wait... is that Miles?"

He took the frame in his hands and turned toward the light. It was Miles — no more than three years old — frozen in time with chubby cheeks and a mischievous smile.

Dion grinned, his voice warm with amusement. "You were so cute though."

Miles leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Mom... I didn’t see that before. Where did you get it?"

Elena’s smile softened. "It was in my safe in the old house."

"Show me," Miles said.

Dion stepped closer, handing him the frame. His foot caught on the edge of the rug and he stumbled slightly.

"Carefully," Miles warned.

"Sorry," Dion muttered.

As Miles steadied the frame in his hands, he felt something shift inside with a faint rattle. He glanced up at Elena. "There’s something in this."

Elena frowned, clearly surprised. "I don’t think so."

"Mind if I open it a bit?"

She hesitated, her brows furrowing. "Alright... but don’t damage the picture."

Miles worked the corner of the frame loose with slow precision, flipping it over in his hands. A small, plastic rectangle slipped free, landing neatly in his palm.

Dion leaned closer, curiosity etched on his face. "What’s that?"

Miles turned it over under the lamplight. "It’s a floppy drive."

Elena’s eyes widened with faint recognition. "I remember using those decades ago."

Dion tilted his head. "Hey... what’s a floppy?"

Miles smirked faintly. "You need to go to school. It’s like a hard drive, but it stores a very small amount of data."

Dion’s interest sharpened. "You mean there’s some data in it?"

Miles looked at his mother. "Mom... do you know anything about this?"

Elena shook her head. "I don’t. I never realized there was something like that hidden in your picture frame."

Miles turned the small device in his fingers, his eyes catching on a faded label. "Sterling Pharmaceuticals."

His voice dipped slightly. "So Dad left it."

Elena’s answer came without hesitation. "Of course it would be him. Maybe it’s something important."

Dion straightened. "So... how do we access it?"

Miles’s eyes narrowed with thought. "The tech is almost ancient. We’ll have to arrange the hardware just to read it."

He slipped the floppy into his jacket pocket. "I’ll send it to the lab for data transfer."

Elena nodded slowly. "Tell me what you find. I’m curious too. But for now... have some rest. You two have been out all day."

She rose from her chair, giving them a warm look. "Good night, you two." Elena’s footsteps carried her down the hallway until her figure disappeared.

"Good night, Dion," Miles said.

Dion smiled faintly. "Good night, boss."

The two left the quiet living room, their footsteps soft against the polished floor as they made their way toward their rooms, the weight of the small discovery still lingering in the air.

..

Somewhere on the Pacific,

Night pressed low over steel and salt. The carrier-sized ship cut a black seam through the water while a thousand screens painted the command deck in cold electric bruises.

The old master stood before a wall of live feeds, fingers clasped behind his back, eyes hard as anchor bolts. "Sir, our shipments are spread across every continent now."

A filtered voice bled through the speaker, smooth as oil on glass. "Good. Plant everything carefully. Remember, no mistakes. I poured a fortune into this."

The old master’s mouth curved. "Do not worry, sir. In one month we will control the world from a single room."

A low laugh rolled from the phone, amused and cruel. "Even Genghis Khan could not do this in his entire life."

"Soon every life will sit in our hands," the old master said, watching digital dots march along trade routes like obedient ants. "And about Edwards kid. I will take care of him next week."

The voice on the line sharpened. "I hear he is making too much progress. Go ahead and end it."

The old master’s gaze turned to a lone profile photo glowing on a side monitor, the surname burning like a fresh brand. "Do not concern yourself, sir. I will destroy them again, just as we did before."

The line clicked dead.

Out on the deck, rotor wash gusted across the sea as drones lifted into the night, red beacons blinking like patient, hungry eyes.