The Retired Young Mercenary Is Secretly a Billionaire

The grand gates of Pearl Villa slowly opened, their polished iron frames parting with a quiet mechanical grace as the car rolled inside, tires gliding over the rain washed stone pathway that reflected the soft glow of the evening lights.

The drizzle had calmed into a gentle fall now, the kind of rain that made everything feel quieter, more intimate, as if the world itself had softened for a moment.

Miles brought the car to a smooth halt near the entrance.

All four stepped out.

Almost instantly, the villa staff approached with umbrellas, their movements efficient yet respectful, shielding the guests from the lingering rain as others began carefully unloading the luggage from the trunk.

Gordon stood still for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the vast estate.

The manicured gardens stretched elegantly around the villa, rows of blooming flowers swaying gently under the rain, their colors vivid even under the grey sky.

Beyond them, the faint outline of the private maple forest stood tall, its trees forming a natural barrier that gave the entire place a sense of quiet seclusion.

He looked at the villa itself, its grand architecture rising proudly, warm lights glowing through the large windows.

"Its like a place from another world," he murmured softly.

Birdie stepped beside him, her eyes filled with wonder.

"It is beautiful," she said, almost in a whisper. "The flowers, the layout, everything feels so peaceful."

David pointed toward the distance.

"That must be the private maple forest Silvey mentioned."

Miles gave a small nod.

"Yes, that is the one. If the rain stops by morning, we can go there. There is a complete workout setup inside as well."

David chuckled lightly.

"Well, the doctor advised me to stay away from heavy workouts for now, but I will definitely come along for company."

Miles smiled faintly.

"That works."

He gestured toward the entrance.

"Let us go inside."

As they walked toward the main door, it opened even before they reached it.

Elena and Daniel stood there, ready to receive them.

Daniel stepped forward first, his expression warm.

"Welcome everyone. It is truly a pleasure to have you here."

Elena followed, her smile gentle yet filled with emotion.

"Welcome, Uncle Gordon, Brother David, Sister Birdie."

There were handshakes, then brief embraces, the kind that carried both familiarity and distance, slowly bridging years that had passed.

Behind Elena, two small figures peeked out, holding onto the edge of her dress as if using it as a shield.

Gordon noticed them instantly, his expression softening.

"Well now, who are you two, hiding like that? Playing hide and seek?"

Elena turned slightly.

"Come out, both of you. Greet your Grandpa Gordon, uncle, and aunt properly."

Hope and Asher stepped forward hesitantly, standing side by side.

In perfect sync, they spoke softly.

"Hello Grandpa, hello uncle, hello aunt."

Birdie’s face lit up instantly.

"Oh my, you two are adorable. Do you know, your big sister Silvey sent presents for you both."

Hope’s eyes widened immediately.

"Really?"

Birdie laughed softly.

"Yes, come here."

She bent slightly and pulled both children into a gentle embrace, ruffling their hair affectionately.

Elena watched the scene with a quiet smile, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of contentment.

Then Asher looked up at Birdie, studying her carefully.

"Aunty, you look like big sister Silvey. Are you her elder sister?"

Daniel coughed lightly, trying to suppress a laugh.

David chuckled openly.

Elena covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking slightly.

Birdie’s cheeks turned faintly red, caught off guard.

Before she could respond, Hope placed her hands on her hips with a small frown.

"You are clueless, Asher. She is her mother, that is why you are calling her aunty."

Asher blinked, realization hitting him instantly.

"Oh... oops..."

Birdie smiled warmly, brushing it off.

"It is alright, dear."

Elena clapped her hands gently, shifting the moment forward.

"Everyone must be tired. The rooms are ready, so please freshen up. Lunch is prepared as well."

Gordon, however, shook his head slightly.

"I want to see my brother first. Can I?"

Miles nodded without hesitation.

"Of course. Let me take you."

Without another word, Miles led the way.

Gordon followed closely, his steps slower now, heavier, as if each one carried years of unspoken emotions.

David and Birdie walked behind them, their expressions turning serious as they approached the room.

Miles stopped at the door, then gently pushed it open.

Inside, the atmosphere shifted completely.

The soft beeping of medical equipment filled the silence.

The temperature controlled room was clean, precise, every detail maintained with care.

And there, lying still on the bed, was Timothy.

Motionless.

Peaceful.

Expressionless.

As if time had paused for him alone.

Nurse Maya, who had been attending, bowed respectfully and quietly stepped out, leaving them alone.

Gordon stood at the entrance for a moment, unable to move.

Then slowly, he stepped forward.

His eyes fixed on his elder brother.

His breathing grew uneven.

His hand trembled as he raised it slightly.

"Br... brother Tim..."

The words barely left his lips before his strength gave way.

He dropped to his knees beside the bed.

"I am sorry... brother... I am so sorry..."

His voice broke completely.

"I should have spoken that day... I should have stopped father... I should have stood up for you..."

Tears streamed down his face freely now.

"It is all because of me... I failed you..."

Behind him, David’s eyes turned red, his grip tightening around Birdie’s hand.

Birdie leaned into him slightly, her own tears falling silently.

The room filled with a quiet grief that had waited decades to be released.

Miles stepped forward slowly.

He placed his hand gently on Gordon’s shoulder.

"It is alright, Grandpa Gordon."

His voice was calm, steady.

"He is happy that you came to see him."

He paused, then added softly.

"He would not want you to be sad."

Gordon lowered his head, trying to steady himself.

Then he looked at Timothy again, his voice trembling but filled with sincerity.

"You have a wonderful grandson, brother..."

"He is strong... kind... and carries your spirit."

He placed his hand gently on Timothy’s arm.

"I promise you... everything that once belonged to you... everything you left behind..."

His voice steadied.

"It will all rightfully belong to him."

The room fell silent once again, but this time, it was not heavy.

.....

After some time, the tension of the journey slowly dissolved into the warmth of the home.

Everyone had freshened up, the fatigue of travel washed away by hot water, clean clothes, and the quiet comfort of Pearl Villa. The rain outside had softened into a gentle drizzle, tapping lightly against the glass windows as if keeping rhythm with the calm that had settled inside.

Lunch was served in the grand dining hall.

The table was filled with dishes that carried both fragrance and familiarity, the kind of food that spoke of care, patience, and years of practice. Steam rose softly from freshly prepared meals, filling the air with warmth.

Gordon took his first bite, then paused.

His expression shifted from curiosity to surprise, then to pure delight.

"You should open a restaurant, Elena," he said, his tone filled with genuine admiration. "This is incredibly delicious."

Miles looked up from his plate, a faint smile appearing.

"She already has one," he replied casually. "It is quite popular. I thought Silvey told you."

Gordon raised his brows in surprise.

"Really? She only mentioned your cooking, not the restaurant itself."

Elena smiled humbly.

"She is a hardworking child, Uncle Gordon."

David nodded in agreement.

"Yes, she is."

Birdie, who had been quietly enjoying the food, suddenly leaned forward slightly, her eyes bright with interest.

"I have a request, sister Elena."

Elena looked at her warmly.

"Please tell me."

Birdie clasped her hands together with a hopeful expression.

"Can you teach me some recipes? Please?"

Elena’s smile widened instantly.

"Of course. I would be happy to."

David chuckled lightly.

"Yes, you should definitely learn."

Birdie turned to him with narrowed eyes.

"What do you mean by that?"

David raised his hands defensively.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

The table burst into soft laughter, the atmosphere light, filled with a sense of belonging that had been missing for years.

For a brief moment, everything felt normal.

Peaceful.

...

Flashback. Paris.

Sunday had arrived.

Unlike the previous days filled with rain and grey skies, today was bright. The sunlight spread across the city, reflecting off glass windows and polished streets, giving Paris a lively, almost celebratory feeling.

Inside his safehouse, Ghost had already completed his morning routine.

He stood in front of the monitors, reviewing multiple live feeds, his eyes sharp, his mind focused even on a day that was supposed to be different.

His phone buzzed.

Marcel.

Ghost answered.

"Lead?"

Ghost spoke calmly, his gaze still fixed on the screens.

"We were looking at the wrong angle."

Marcel paused.

"What do you mean?"

Ghost leaned slightly forward.

"We were tracking cars on the route. But what if it was never a car?"

There was a brief silence.

"That day, a bike left the plant in the afternoon. The rider was fully covered, but something felt off."

Marcel’s tone shifted.

"You think that was him?"

Ghost nodded slightly, even though Marcel could not see.

"It is possible. But I never saw that bike returning to his residence."

Marcel frowned on the other side.

"So what are you suggesting?"

Ghost’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"There is another entrance. A smaller one. Hidden."

Marcel responded immediately.

"I will arrange more agents and have the entire perimeter checked."

Then his tone changed, becoming lighter.

"Anyway... good luck, lead."

Ghost blinked slightly.

"For what?"

Marcel chuckled.

"For your movie date today."

Ghost sighed faintly.

"It is not a date. It is just a friendly plan."

Marcel laughed.

"Then why were you shopping for clothes yesterday?"

Ghost opened his mouth, then stopped.

"That is..."

Marcel cut him off.

"Alright, lead. Enjoy your day."

The call ended.

Ghost stood there for a moment.

Then... he smiled.

A rare, genuine smile.

He walked to his room and got ready.

Gone was the dark hoodie and combat gear.

Today, he wore a simple white shirt layered under a light blue denim jacket, paired with black fitted jeans and clean white sneakers. His hair was slightly styled, not perfectly, but enough to show that he had tried. He looked like any other teenage boy, someone who could blend into a crowd without drawing attention.

But his eyes still carried that depth.

That quiet intensity.

He stepped out of the house.

As he passed by, an old lady sitting near the entrance looked at him and smiled warmly.

"You look very handsome today, young man. Are you going on a date?"

Ghost paused slightly, then replied with a faint smile.

"Something like that. Thank you for the compliment."

He continued walking.

The old lady watched him go, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

"Oh, to be young again."

Ghost reached the mall, the bustling energy of the place surrounding him instantly. People moved in groups, laughter echoed, shops displayed colorful items, and the multiplex stood tall inside.

And then...

He saw her.

Standing near the entrance.

Chloe.

She wore a soft pastel colored dress that reached just below her knees, paired with a light cardigan that moved gently with the breeze. Her hair was loosely tied, with a few strands framing her face naturally. There was no heavy makeup, just a natural glow that made her look effortlessly beautiful.

She looked... alive.

Bright.

Ghost stopped.

For a moment, everything else faded.

The noise.

The crowd.

The world.

Chloe noticed him staring and waved her hand slightly.

"Hey... say something. What are you staring at?"

Ghost stepped closer, his voice calm yet honest.

"You look beautiful."

Chloe froze.

A faint blush spread across her cheeks instantly.

"Do not be so direct."

Ghost tilted his head slightly.

"What is wrong with speaking the truth?"

Chloe looked away, trying to hide her expression.

"Stop it, please."

Then after a second, she glanced back at him.

"You look good too."

Ghost gave a small nod.

"Thank you."

He checked his watch.

"You are early?"

Chloe hesitated.

"I... just arrived."

Ghost raised his wrist again.

"We were supposed to meet at eleven. It is only ten thirty six."

He blinked slightly.

"I did not even notice the time."

Chloe smiled.

"You are early too."

Ghost looked toward the multiplex.

"Should we go inside?"

Chloe shook her head.

"The show is in the afternoon."

Ghost frowned slightly.

"What? Then what are we supposed to do now?"

Chloe’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"What else? It is a mall."

Before he could react, she grabbed his hand.

"We go shopping."

She pulled him forward with energy.

"Come on, let us go."

Ghost looked at their joined hands for a brief moment.

Then he let himself be pulled along.

And he did not resist.