Chapter 271: Flames!!
After wandering through countless shops, drifting from one bright storefront to another, pausing at glass displays filled with clothes, accessories, and small trinkets that Chloe would excitedly point at, and even spending time at the arcade where laughter replaced silence, the day slowly moved forward without Ghost even realizing how quickly time was passing.
For the first time in his life, there was no ticking clock in his mind tied to danger, no calculated movement, no constant awareness of exits and threats, no hidden weapon in his hand or a plan forming behind his calm expression.
Instead, there was something unfamiliar.
Something light.
Something warm.
They had walked side by side through the mall, sometimes talking, sometimes simply existing in comfortable silence, and every now and then Chloe would pull him toward something new, her energy uncontainable, her presence impossible to ignore.
Ghost followed.
Not because he had to.
But because he wanted to.
And that alone was something he had never experienced before.
By the time they finally reached the multiplex, the sun had shifted, the afternoon settling in gently as the crowd inside the cinema hall thickened with people waiting for the next show.
They took their seats.
The lights dimmed.
The movie began.
It was Chloe’s favorite genre.
Superheroes.
A story about a man gifted with immense power, who slowly lost control after losing the person he loved the most. The film unfolded with emotion, pain, rage, and redemption, showing how even the strongest could break when something precious was taken away.
Chloe watched intently.
Every emotion on the screen reflected in her eyes.
And every time the story grew heavy, every time the pain of the characters deepened, she instinctively held Ghost’s hand tighter.
At first, it was subtle.
Then it became natural.
Her fingers wrapped around his hand without hesitation, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
During emotional scenes, she leaned gently against his shoulder, her head resting there as she watched, her presence warm and real.
Ghost sat still.
But inside...
Something was changing.
He could not focus on the movie.
Not completely.
His eyes moved from the screen to her, then back again.
The way she reacted.
The way she trusted him enough to lean on him without thinking.
The way her grip tightened unconsciously when something hurt her emotionally.
It all felt... overwhelming.
Not in a bad way.
In a way he could not explain.
For someone who had spent his entire life surrounded by blood, missions, and silence, this moment felt almost unreal.
There was no adrenaline.
No danger.
No fear.
Only a quiet heartbeat.
Only her presence beside him.
And slowly, without him realizing it fully, something rooted itself deep within him.
A feeling that had no place in the world he belonged to.
Yet it refused to leave.
By the end of the movie, one thing had become clear.
The feelings were not one sided.
They were mutual.
And once something like this began...
There was no going back.
...
Present.
Corbin stood near his desk, his phone pressed to his ear, his expression tight with controlled irritation.
"But dad, what happened suddenly that you have to go to Star Harbor? We were all prepared to come to Vespera."
Jax’s voice came from the other side, firm and dismissive.
"There is something urgent that requires my attention there. You handle your mother and the rest, and tell them they can come next week."
Corbin exhaled slowly, trying to keep his tone steady.
"Alright, but at least call her once and explain, or she will be angry."
Jax replied shortly.
"I will."
The call ended.
Corbin lowered the phone slowly, his eyes darkening.
"What exactly is in Star Harbor..."
He muttered to himself.
"Did he really find Kyle there..."
His jaw tightened.
"All my life... I was always second to him."
His voice dropped, colder now.
"Because of that Kyle..."
He turned toward his computer, his fingers moving quickly across the keyboard.
"I will not let him come in my way again."
The screen displayed a ticket booking portal.
Destination.
Star Harbor.
...
Meanwhile, in Pearl Villa, early morning light filtered softly through the windows as the rain eased into a gentle drizzle.
Miles stood near the window, his phone held loosely in his hand as the call connected.
"Thea."
Her voice came through, calm and composed.
"We are extracting Kyle Sterling tonight. Are you sure you want to give him away so easily?"
Miles’ lips curved into a faint smile.
"Kyle has no value anymore. He will never recover mentally."
There was a brief silence.
Then Thea spoke again, her tone softer.
"I am sorry. My hands were tied back then. I did not know Basil’s men would take both of them."
Miles’ gaze drifted outside, watching the rain.
"What is done is done."
His voice remained steady.
"Deliver Kyle to Jax."
He paused, then added with quiet intent.
"And record his reaction when you tell him who is behind Sterling Enterprises."
Thea let out a small breath.
"I hope the WEB will not have issues if you deal with Jax Mordecai after that."
Miles replied without hesitation.
"I do not intend to interfere with your operations."
Thea responded calmly.
"He is not our only client. Once I deliver Kyle, my task is complete. Whatever happens after that is not under my authority, even if Mordecai extends the contract."
Miles nodded slightly.
"That is good."
He added, almost lightly.
"I would not want to come in the way of the Grandmaster."
Thea chuckled faintly.
"My eyes are still on that diamond I could not get that day."
Miles smirked.
"That diamond is a key piece in my jewelry division now. It is not easy to take something from Miles Sterling."
Thea laughed.
"I know. I was joking."
Then her tone returned to neutral.
"Goodbye."
The call ended.
Miles lowered his phone, his expression thoughtful for a brief moment before it shifted back to calm.
He walked downstairs toward the dining area.
Breakfast was ready.
The villa felt lively again.
Today, the rain had softened enough to allow movement outside.
Miles had already planned the day.
He would take Gordon and David to his office.
Show them everything.
Then they would visit the newly established ACE facilities across Star Harbor.
..
That night settled over Vespera like a quiet storm waiting beneath the surface, the city lights glowing faintly through the mist as clouds gathered far above, heavy and unmoving.
Inside the Mordecai mansion, the atmosphere was tense.
Jax stood near the large window of his private office, the faint reflection of his own face staring back at him through the glass, sharp, restless, filled with thoughts that refused to settle.
His phone was pressed to his ear.
"Really... that fast."
On the other end, the calm and composed voice of the Princess echoed.
"Yes, Mr. Mordecai. Mr. Kyle has been successfully extracted. He is currently in one of our safe houses in Star Harbor. It is also the same location we have arranged for your stay. Our men are watching over him, and medical professionals are already examining his condition."
Jax’s grip on the phone tightened slightly, but his voice carried satisfaction.
"Your work is commendable, Princess. That is exactly what I expected from the WEB."
"I appreciate that," she replied smoothly.
Jax’s eyes narrowed slightly as another thought surfaced.
"And what about the other matter."
There was no hesitation in her response.
"I have taken care of that as well."
Jax turned slowly, his gaze sharpening.
"You found out who is behind Sterling Enterprises."
"I did," she said, her tone measured. "But we do not have his face. Only a name. And it is very important for you to know."
Jax’s voice dropped, serious now.
"Who is he?"
There was a brief pause, almost deliberate.
"You seem to already assume it is a man."
Jax responded instantly.
"Yes. But I do not know his name."
The answer came, steady and clear.
"The Sterling Enterprises is currently being run by the son of the former chairman."
A second passed.
Then
"His name is Miles Sterling."
The words landed like a blow.
Jax froze.
His hand tightened around the edge of the chair beside him, fingers digging into the wood as if grounding himself.
"What..."
His voice came out low, almost disbelieving.
"You mean... the son of Edward Sterling."
"Yes," the Princess replied calmly. "It seems you already know him. That makes things easier."
But Jax shook his head, his breathing turning uneven.
"No... no... this is not possible."
His thoughts raced, colliding with memories he had buried long ago.
"Edward had only one son. A child. Three... maybe five years old at most when Edward was killed."
His voice grew harsher.
"My nephew handled that matter. From what I know, the boy was abducted... and then he died."
He tightened his grip further.
"This is not possible. How can this be possible."
The Princess spoke again, her tone analytical.
"We do not have details about the past, Mr. Mordecai. However, there is no record of Miles Sterling before this year. It is as if he appeared out of nowhere."
Jax’s eyes darkened.
"What..."
He muttered to himself.
"Either he is not the real Miles Sterling... or this was planned."
His mind shifted toward an older shadow.
"That old man... Timothy... before he died."
The Princess responded with curiosity.
"Timothy Sterling. I heard he disappeared."
Jax’s expression twisted.
"I did not hear about it. I know it."
His voice turned cold.
"I shot Timothy Sterling with my own hands."
The silence that followed carried weight.
"I made a promise to my dead sister."
His gaze hardened completely.
"I would erase Timothy Sterling’s entire bloodline."
His breathing slowed, but the fury inside him only grew.
"If this really is Miles Sterling... then my work is not finished."
He paused.
"And if he is an imposter... then he has chosen the wrong man to challenge."
The Princess spoke again, slightly softer.
"Are you alright, Mr. Mordecai."
Jax straightened slowly, regaining his composure.
"I have already transferred the payment for the task."
He paused before adding.
"But I would like to extend my contract."
"The WEB is always willing to support its clients," she replied. "However, I will not be leading this assignment further. I have other operations to attend to."
Jax exhaled slowly.
"You were exceptional at your work. It is fine."
His tone shifted slightly, almost ironic.
"Just make sure someone equally capable is assigned. I would not want the Princess to witness what is about to happen."
A faint chuckle came from the other side.
"You are quite the gentleman, Mr. Mordecai. It has been a pleasure doing business with you."
The call ended.
Silence filled the room.
Jax slowly lowered the phone.
Then his fist clenched.
Hard.
Every thought surged back at once.
Kyle’s broken state.
His sister’s death.
The burning factories.
And Miles’ voice.
That challenge.
That calm, fearless tone.
Jax walked toward the window again, staring into the darkness outside.
"Miles Sterling..."
He spoke the name slowly.
"If you are truly Edward’s son..."
His reflection in the glass looked almost monstrous now, twisted with rage and obsession.
"Your father burned in the flames of Mordecai."
"And your grandfather fell the same way."
His lips curled into a cold, dangerous smile.
"Do you really think you will survive what is coming?"
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"The calamity is coming for you."
Outside, thunder rolled faintly in the distance, as if the sky itself acknowledged the war that was about to unfold.
To be continued...