Chapter 267: Challenge!!
In Vespera City, the atmosphere inside the Mordecai mansion had turned sharp and restless, as if the walls themselves carried the tension of a man who refused to lose control over a situation slipping through his fingers.
Jax stood near his desk, his phone pressed against his ear, his expression tightening with every word he heard.
"Are you sure it is them?"
The man on the other end responded quickly, his tone firm.
"Yes boss, Gordon, his son David, and his daughter in law Birdie were spotted at the airport this morning."
For a moment, Jax said nothing.
Then a slow, dangerous laugh escaped him.
"So they are finally stepping out into the open..."
He turned, pacing slowly across the room, his mind already calculating.
"It is my chance."
His voice dropped lower.
"They are giving themselves away for free."
He stopped and asked sharply.
"Where are they going?"
"According to inside information from the airport, they are heading to Star Harbor."
Jax froze for a fraction of a second.
"Star Harbor..."
The words came out like poison.
"Then hire men in Star Harbor. Capture them the moment they leave the airport."
"Consider it done, boss."
The call ended.
Jax lowered his phone slowly, his jaw tightening as he looked out through the glass windows of his office.
"Star Harbor..."
His voice was filled with irritation and suppressed rage.
"Everything was perfect after those kicked out Sterlings died that year... that was the end of Sterling Enterprises..."
His fingers curled slightly into a fist.
"Gordon is going there with his family... this is not a business trip..."
His eyes narrowed.
"So it is you... Gordon Sterling..."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"You stayed quiet for two decades... and now you come back to compete with me..."
His tone hardened.
"How dare you..."
The storm inside him had already risen high.
...
Far away, in Star Harbor, the rain had softened into a gentle drizzle, wrapping the city in a calm, cool atmosphere. The streets glistened under the grey sky, and the air carried a quiet freshness that made everything feel slower, more peaceful.
Inside Pearl Villa, the warmth of home stood in contrast to the storm brewing elsewhere.
Monica stood near the entrance, adjusting her coat as she prepared to leave.
"Boss, I am heading to work. Call me if you need anything."
Miles leaned casually, watching her with a faint smile.
"I will handle everything by myself today."
Monica smiled knowingly.
"I know you can."
Just as she turned to leave, Elena’s voice came from behind.
"What are you handling?"
Monica paused for a split second, then smiled politely.
"I should go. All the best."
And before any more questions could follow, she slipped out of the house.
Miles blinked.
"Hey..."
He turned slowly.
Elena stood there, her arms folded, her expression calm yet questioning.
"So?"
Miles tried to keep his tone casual.
"Nothing, mom. Just about the guests... you know..."
Elena raised an eyebrow slightly, then sighed with a small smile.
"Alright, alright. Do not tell me."
She softened.
"Just be happy and safe."
Miles smiled gently.
"Silvey called earlier. Apparently, grandpa Gordon was in tears after seeing the watch."
Elena’s eyes widened.
"What... really?"
A soft smile followed.
"Your grandpa always loved his younger brother deeply. When he showed me that watch, I could see how much he meant to him."
Miles nodded.
"The credit goes to you for keeping it safe all these years."
Elena gave him a look.
"Credit for making him cry?"
Miles chuckled lightly.
"That is a good thing sometimes."
Elena shook her head, though her smile remained.
"Maybe."
Miles leaned slightly, speaking casually.
"You could have sold that watch, you know. It is worth a lot."
Elena’s expression turned thoughtful.
"It is... but I could never do it."
Before the moment could deepen, a small voice broke through.
"Watch?"
Hope appeared suddenly, her eyes wide with curiosity as she looked between them.
Miles reached out and ruffled her hair gently.
"Do you want one? There are watches made of gold and diamonds in our jewelry collection."
Hope’s eyes sparkled instantly.
"Really?"
Elena stepped in quickly.
"Wait. Do not spoil her. No jewelry until you grow up."
Hope pouted.
"Mama... why?"
Elena knelt slightly, her voice gentle but firm.
"You have to be responsible first to handle expensive things. Your big brother works very hard to earn all that, you know."
Hope thought for a moment, then nodded seriously.
"I will be responsible then."
Miles smiled faintly at her determination.
"Where are father and Asher?"
Hope pointed toward the back.
"They are cleaning the car in the garage."
Elena shook her head with a soft laugh.
"This boy is getting interested in cars now."
Miles nodded.
"I think it is a good thing to have interest in something."
Elena looked at him, her expression turning thoughtful.
"Talking about interests... Do you have any?"
Miles blinked.
"What?"
"I have never seen you take interest in anything other than your morning workouts."
She continued, almost teasing.
"When you were younger, you used to love wrestling. You and your dad would watch wrestling shows together during holidays."
Miles looked genuinely surprised.
"Me... really?"
Hope jumped in excitedly.
"Big bro watches superhero shows with Asher now. I have seen them many times."
Elena chuckled softly.
"Really..."
She looked at Miles with warmth.
"You are all grown up... but my little Miles is still there somewhere."
Miles smiled, a quiet softness appearing in his eyes.
Elena straightened.
"I have to prepare for the guests."
She walked away toward the kitchen, her steps calm and steady.
Miles stood there for a moment, then leaned back slightly, looking ahead with a faint smirk.
"Superheroes... huh?"
The memory returned quietly, like a page turning on its own.
A softer time.
A simpler moment.
"So Kai, the superhero... are you free this Sunday?"
Chloe’s voice carried a light teasing tone over the call, yet beneath it there was something hesitant, something new.
Ghost leaned against the wall of his safehouse, the phone pressed to his ear, his brows tightening slightly.
"Hey... do not call me that. It is embarrassing."
Chloe laughed softly.
"Alright, alright. Are you free though?"
Ghost paused for a moment.
"Why?"
There was a brief silence on the other side, as if she was choosing her words carefully.
"I was thinking... umm... we could hang out a bit."
Ghost straightened slightly.
"Hang out... where?"
Her voice dropped, almost shy now.
"There is this movie I wanted to watch."
Then suddenly, her tone changed, faster, almost defensive.
"Are you coming or not? A girl is asking you a question. Do you know how much courage that takes?"
Ghost’s heartbeat picked up.
For someone who had faced death countless times, this... felt unfamiliar.
"Well... umm... let us go."
There was a brief silence.
Then a soft excitement.
"Alright then. We meet on Sunday. And wear something decent... not a hoodie."
Ghost almost smiled.
"Alright."
The call ended.
For a moment, he stood still.
Then instantly, his expression shifted.
Back to focus.
Back to calculation.
He dialed another number.
"Do we have anything?"
Marcel answered quickly.
"It is very odd. There is no record of Chloe’s father. In her school records, only a local guardian is mentioned."
Ghost’s eyes narrowed.
"That is strange. Her father has something those men wanted. That man waited for us to ask him something before he crushed that cyanide capsule in his mouth. Something is going on."
He paced slowly.
"There was a ransom demand. The exchange was supposed to happen in the mall. Did you find anything about her mother?"
Marcel’s voice turned more serious.
"I could not find any record of a married woman who died with the name on that gravestone."
Ghost stopped.
"What do you mean?"
"It looks like Chloe is using her maternal surname."
Ghost exhaled slowly.
"So her father’s identity is hidden everywhere."
"That is what it looks like. More like he is trying to protect his family."
Ghost closed his eyes for a brief second.
"Another mystery..."
Marcel continued.
"I will keep digging. One more thing, lead."
"What is it?"
"Our target’s car did not reach his home yesterday."
Ghost frowned.
"He stayed at the plant?"
"No. He left home today. I am following him right now."
Ghost’s mind began connecting pieces.
"So he returned while we were away..."
"Most likely. But he did not take his usual cars."
Ghost turned toward the monitor screens.
"I will analyze the CCTV routes. You keep monitoring him."
"Alright, lead."
The call ended.
And once again...
The calm had disappeared.
...
Present.
Vespera City.
Inside the Mordecai mansion, the air felt suffocating.
Jax stood near his desk, staring at the set of photographs spread before him.
His hands slowly tightened against the edge of the table.
The images were clear.
A sterile room.
White walls.
A broken man.
Kyle Sterling.
Sitting... lost... unstable.
Jax’s breathing grew heavier.
"So it is true..."
His voice trembled, not with weakness, but with rage.
"He is in Star Harbor..."
His eyes burned with fury.
"Who did this to him..."
Silence.
Then a cold whisper escaped his lips.
"Whoever did this... I will kill him myself."
He picked up his phone and typed quickly.
"What about Chester Sterling?"
The reply came almost instantly.
"He is nowhere to be found in Star Harbor. We are still searching. You will be informed."
Jax stared at the message.
Something was wrong.
Pieces were moving... but not under his control.
Before he could think further, his phone rang.
An unknown number.
He answered.
"Hello?"
A voice came from the other side, calm and steady.
"I heard you are looking for Chester Sterling desperately."
Jax’s expression darkened instantly.
"Who are you? How did you get my number?"
The voice did not change.
"You will never find Chester... because I killed him with my own hands."
Jax’s grip tightened.
"What nonsense are you speaking?"
A faint chuckle followed.
"Nonsense?"
Then the tone shifted slightly.
"Just like how we took our Grandmaster back from you?"
Jax’s eyes widened.
"You..."
His voice turned sharp.
"So you are the one behind the factory fire?"
The reply came casually.
"I would not take all the credit for that."
A slight pause.
"And I do not think there is enough ground beneath your feet for you to even listen who did that to your factory."
Jax’s anger rose instantly.
"You..."
The voice cut him off.
"What if we meet in Star Harbor?"
"Do you not want to save your nephew?"
The line went dead.
Jax stood frozen for a second.
Then suddenly
His phone slammed against the floor, shattering into pieces.
"Damn it!"
His voice echoed through the room.
His chest rose and fell heavily as rage consumed him completely.
"Star Harbor..."
His eyes burned with fury.
"I will burn that city to ashes."
..