Chapter 398: She will be alright!!!!
Norway
The atmosphere inside Bjorn’s residence had turned suffocating.
A man stood several steps away from him, shoulders tense, forehead covered with sweat.
Bjorn remained standing near the large window.
His back faced the room.
His voice came out low.
Too low.
"How the hell did that happen?"
The man swallowed.
"Sir..."
Bjorn slowly turned.
"Who did it?"
"We don’t know."
The answer only made his expression darker.
The man hurriedly continued.
"When our team reached the Prince’s residence, he was already gone."
Bjorn stared at him.
"Alone?"
"No, sir."
The man shook his head.
"His entire family disappeared with him."
Bjorn’s eyes narrowed.
"Disappeared?"
"Yes."
"What about the security?"
"Our contact inside the security detail said he didn’t hear the slightest commotion."
Bjorn’s jaw tightened.
"Alarms?"
"Nothing."
"Movement?"
"Nothing unusual."
The man looked increasingly uncomfortable.
"It was as if every member of the Prince’s family simply vanished from their rooms."
Bjorn took a slow breath.
"Vanished."
His voice carried open disgust.
"What kind of idiots are working for me?"
The man lowered his head.
Bjorn walked toward the desk.
"What is the explanation?"
"There are hidden passages inside the residence."
Bjorn stopped.
The man continued quickly.
"Several bedrooms have access to narrow emergency corridors. They lead toward the rear side of the property."
Bjorn’s expression changed.
"So they escaped through those passages."
"That is our assumption."
"Assumption?"
The man flinched.
Bjorn looked directly at him.
"It sounds like they knew we were coming."
Silence.
The man didn’t dare disagree.
Bjorn slowly folded his arms.
"The security officer working for us."
His tone became colder.
"Who hired him?"
The man froze.
His throat tightened.
Bjorn noticed.
"Answer me."
"He was already inside the Prince’s security for almost ten years."
Bjorn’s eyes did not move.
The man continued.
"He was a decorated operative for the WEB before that."
Bjorn’s expression hardened.
"I asked you who hired him."
The man’s face turned pale.
"Sir..."
Bjorn took one step forward.
"Who?"
The man’s voice nearly disappeared.
"It..."
He swallowed.
"It was you, sir."
Silence.
Bjorn closed his eyes.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
The man stood frozen.
Then Bjorn spoke.
"Kill him."
The man’s head snapped up.
"Huh?"
Bjorn opened his eyes.
His gaze was completely cold.
"Kill him."
"But sir..."
"I want him dead."
The man hesitated.
Bjorn looked toward the clock.
"I am giving you one hour."
The man’s expression collapsed.
He understood arguing would only make things worse.
"Understood."
He bowed quickly.
Then left the room while wiping the sweat from his forehead.
The door closed.
Bjorn remained standing alone.
His eyes shifted toward the dark screen on the wall.
"Damn Monaco."
He walked toward the table and picked up another phone.
A secure number was dialed.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Sir."
Bjorn didn’t waste time.
"Where is the Princess?"
The man on the other end answered quickly.
"She is analyzing the Monaco incident, sir."
"I want to talk to her."
"Yes, sir."
A brief pause followed.
"I’ll connect you."
Bjorn waited.
Then another voice came through.
"Father."
Bjorn’s expression softened only slightly.
"Thea."
"Yes."
"I want you to go to Monaco."
Thea became silent.
Bjorn continued.
"I want you to find out where the Prince is."
His voice grew firmer.
"We are at a dead end without him."
Thea listened.
"We need to capture him."
"Understood."
Her answer came immediately.
"I’ll go there right away."
Bjorn walked toward the window.
Thea continued.
"We are already monitoring the borders."
"As many routes as possible."
Her tone carried confidence.
"He won’t leave Monaco easily."
Bjorn nodded to himself.
"Good."
Then his voice changed.
More deliberate.
"Thea."
She became quiet.
"Remember something."
"Yes, Father?"
"I have spent my entire life fighting against the system."
Thea’s expression on the other side became unreadable.
Bjorn continued.
"I want you to carry that fight after me."
His voice deepened.
"It’s for freedom."
A few seconds passed.
Then Thea answered.
"It’s for freedom."
Bjorn smiled faintly.
"Good."
The call ended.
...
Inside Horizon Biotech’s secured operations wing, Thea slowly lowered the phone.
For a moment, she did nothing.
Her eyes remained closed.
Her breathing was controlled.
The man standing nearby looked uncertain.
"Princess?"
Thea finally opened her eyes.
"Prepare to leave for Monaco."
The man straightened.
"Roger that."
He immediately turned and walked away.
Thea remained behind.
Still.
Silent.
Only when the door closed did her fingers slowly tighten around the phone.
...
Star Harbor
Miles drove back toward Pearl Villa as the city moved into the night.
The events in Monaco remained at the back of his mind.
Louis had acted quickly.
Faster than Miles had expected.
The Prince and his family had disappeared before the WEB reached them.
For once...
The WEB had arrived too late.
By the time Miles entered Pearl Villa, dinner was nearly ready.
The family gathered around the table.
For a while, the conversation remained completely normal.
They discussed The Atelier.
Elena had finally started seriously considering locations for the second branch.
Daniel had several concerns about traffic and parking.
Monica had already shortlisted a few districts.
Timothy, naturally, had opinions about everything.
Miles listened while eating.
He didn’t mind.
In fact...
He liked it.
Normal problems.
Normal discussions.
The kind of arguments families should have.
...
Later that night.
Inside the bedroom, Miles sat near the edge of the bed while checking something on his phone.
Chloe stood nearby.
She had been watching him for almost a minute.
Finally she asked,
"Something good happened?"
Miles looked up.
"What makes you ask that?"
Chloe tilted her head.
"I can sense something."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Sense?"
She nodded.
"It’s like..."
She studied his face carefully.
"You won something."
Miles smiled.
"You can read me now?"
Chloe sat beside him.
"Kinda."
She looked pleased with herself.
"I’m starting to understand you better."
Miles watched her.
Chloe continued.
"I notice little things on your face every day."
"Really?"
"Yes."
She leaned closer.
"I can tell when you’re irritated."
"When you’re pretending you’re not tired."
"When you’re worried."
"When you’re secretly happy."
Miles narrowed his eyes.
"Are you stalking me?"
Chloe chuckled.
"Yes."
She nodded seriously.
"Definitely."
Miles sighed dramatically.
"Believe me."
He placed one hand over his chest.
"I don’t have any dirt on me."
Chloe grinned.
"Really?"
Her eyes narrowed mischievously.
"I feel like you’re talking to someone behind my back."
Miles stared at her.
Then suddenly unlocked his phone.
He extended it toward her.
"Here."
Chloe blinked.
"What?"
"Check."
She sighed.
"Miles."
"Look."
Chloe gave him an unimpressed stare.
"Do you seriously think I don’t trust my husband?"
Miles smiled.
"Just look."
Chloe reluctantly took the phone.
She leaned closer to him while reading the screen.
Then her expression changed.
"A hotel reservation?"
Miles smiled.
Chloe looked again.
"In Beijing?"
"Not only Beijing."
Her eyes widened.
Miles continued.
"I planned the complete itinerary."
Chloe slowly turned toward him.
"Complete?"
"Mostly."
Miles scratched his cheek.
"Sorry."
"For what?"
"I didn’t ask you before."
Chloe looked back at the phone.
Then slowly...
Her smile grew.
"This makes me more excited."
Miles laughed.
"I thought you’d complain."
"No."
Then Chloe suddenly became thoughtful.
"I just have to convince Lissy."
Miles immediately answered.
"I already asked her."
Chloe’s head snapped toward him.
"hun?"
Miles looked innocent.
"I asked Alice."
"When?"
"Earlier."
Chloe stared.
"How far have you planned this, Mr. Sterling?"
Miles smiled.
"Far enough."
Chloe shook her head.
Then Miles asked,
"So?"
She looked toward him.
"Will you come with me?"
Chloe blinked.
"Hmm?"
Miles waited.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You mean if I disagree..."
She slowly picked up a pillow.
"...you’ll go alone?"
Miles pretended to think.
"Maybe."
Chloe’s mouth opened.
"You..."
The pillow flew directly toward his face.
Miles caught it while laughing.
"Traitor!"
"Ow."
"It didn’t even hit you."
"Emotionally."
Chloe grabbed another pillow.
Miles raised both hands.
"Okay, okay."
Before she could attack again...
Knock.
Both of them stopped.
Miles turned toward the door.
"Someone’s there."
Chloe put the pillow down.
"I’ll check."
She walked toward the door and opened it.
A small figure stood outside.
Asher.
The moment Chloe saw his face, her smile disappeared.
He looked worried.
Very worried.
Chloe immediately crouched slightly.
"What happened, cutie?"
Miles looked over from the bed.
Asher’s voice came out quietly.
"Big sis..."
"Hmm?"
"Something is happening to Hope."
Miles stood.
Asher continued.
"And I couldn’t find Mama."
Miles crossed the room immediately.
He bent down and picked Asher up.
"Let’s go see."
Asher wrapped his arms around his neck.
Chloe followed.
They walked downstairs toward the twins’ room.
Miles looked toward Chloe.
"Where is Mom, by the way?"
Chloe thought for a moment.
"She and Father went for a walk outside."
"Oh."
Miles nodded.
"They shouldn’t be far."
They reached the room.
Chloe opened the door first.
Hope was lying on the bed.
The blanket was pulled over her.
She looked unusually still.
Chloe immediately walked over.
"Hope?"
No response.
Only a small movement.
Chloe placed her palm against the little girl’s forehead.
Her expression changed.
"She’s burning up."
Miles stepped closer.
"Fever?"
Chloe nodded.
"High."
Asher looked even more worried.
"She looked very tired."
His voice trembled.
"Will she be alright, Big Bro?"
Miles gently patted his back.
"Of course."
He looked toward Hope.
"Our sister will be alright."
Asher nodded slowly.
Chloe checked Hope again.
"We should take her to the hospital."
Miles agreed immediately.
"Yes."
He pulled out his phone.
"Let me call Mom."
...
A short while later...
The front door opened quickly.
Elena and Daniel rushed inside.
Elena hadn’t even removed her walking jacket properly.
Daniel immediately followed her.
When Elena entered, she hurried straight toward the bed.
"Oh, my dear."
She touched Hope’s forehead.
Her face filled with concern.
"She’s burning up."
Daniel looked toward the door.
"I’ll bring the car."
Chloe immediately said,
"Miles already went to the parking."
Daniel nodded.
"Alright."
He carefully picked Hope up from the bed.
The little girl barely reacted.
Elena’s expression became even more worried.
Chloe moved closer.
"I’ll stay here with Asher."
She looked toward Elena.
"Mom, you should go."
Elena nodded.
"Yes."
Daniel carried Hope outside.
Elena remained behind for a moment.
She kept looking toward her daughter.
Chloe gently touched her arm.
"Don’t worry, Mom."
Elena looked at her.
"She’ll be alright."
Chloe smiled softly.
"It’s just a fever."
Asher immediately added,
"Yes, Mama."
Elena looked down.
Asher tried to look brave.
"Big Bro said she’ll be all good by morning."
Elena’s eyes softened.
She crouched and gently patted his head.
"Yes."
She smiled.
"You are brave, my son."
Asher nodded.
"Now you need to sleep."
His expression immediately changed.
"But..."
Elena looked at him.
"I never slept alone."
Chloe smiled.
"Who said you’re sleeping alone?"
Asher looked toward her.
"Your big sister is here."
Elena smiled warmly.
She looked at Chloe.
"Thank you, dear."
Chloe shook her head.
"Go."
She gently pushed Elena toward the door.
"Take care, Mom."
"You too."
Elena hurried after Daniel and Miles.
Soon the villa became quieter again.
Asher stood beside Chloe.
He looked toward Hope’s empty bed.
Then toward his own.
"Big sister."
"Hmm?"
"Let me arrange Hope’s bed."
Chloe smiled.
"For me?"
He nodded.
"You sleep here."
"Thank you."
Asher immediately got to work.
His tiny hands straightened the blanket.
Then the pillow.
Then the blanket again because he didn’t like how he had arranged it the first time.
Chloe watched him quietly.
There was something incredibly sweet about how seriously he took the task.
While waiting...
Her eyes moved toward a nearby table.
A drawing book rested there.
Chloe picked it up.
She glanced toward Asher.
"Can I look?"
He nodded without much concern.
"Hope’s drawings."
Chloe slowly opened it.
The first page had colorful flowers.
Another had a house.
Then animals.
A strange looking tree.
A school building.
A few stick figures.
Some drawings were surprisingly good for a six year old.
Others required considerable imagination to understand.
Chloe smiled as she turned each page.
Then she reached the final drawing.
Her hand stopped.
A family.
Everyone had been drawn standing together.
The names were written carefully beneath each figure.
Dad.
Mama.
Grandpa.
Big Bro.
Sister in law.
Asher.
Me.
Chloe stared at it.
Her smile slowly softened.
"She is so sweet."
Asher looked over.
"Hmm?"
Chloe turned the book slightly.
"Don’t you think she’s sweet?"
Asher stared at the picture.
Then looked away.
"Uhh..."
He rubbed his nose.
"Hmm."
Chloe laughed.
"That’s it?"
Asher thought.
"She is annoying sometimes."
Chloe raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
She leaned closer.
"Are you shy about complimenting your sister?"
Asher immediately protested.
"That’s not it."
"Then?"
He sat on the edge of the bed.
"She is the coolest in class."
Chloe smiled.
"Oh?"
Asher nodded.
"She has so many friends."
His expression became thoughtful.
"Everyone talks to her."
Chloe sat beside him.
"What about you?"
"Me?"
"Yes."
Asher looked down at his fingers.
"I have some friends too."
Chloe studied him.
"Are you jealous of your sister?"
His head immediately shook.
"No."
Then he paused.
"I don’t know how she does it."
Chloe waited.
Asher continued.
"She can talk to anyone."
His little shoulders dropped.
"But I can’t."
Chloe’s expression softened.
She gently pinched his cheek.
"My little brother is so cute."
Asher frowned.
"I’m serious."
"I know."
Chloe smiled.
"If you talk to someone, they’ll definitely want to be your friend."
Asher didn’t look convinced.
"I don’t know how to talk."
Chloe put the drawing book aside.
"You’ll learn slowly."
He looked at her.
"Really?"
"Of course."
She gently patted his head.
"Don’t rush."
Asher listened carefully.
"Having lots and lots of friends isn’t important."
He tilted his head.
"It’s not?"
Chloe shook her head.
"No."
"What matters is having friends you can trust."
She smiled.
"Friends you can rely on."
"Friends who stay when you’re sad."
"Friends who are happy when you’re happy."
Asher thought about it seriously.
Chloe continued.
"I know you’ll find some really good friends."
Asher’s eyes brightened.
"Really?"
"I promise."
He smiled.
"Thank you, Big Sis."
Chloe stood.
"Now..."
She pointed toward the bed.
"You should sleep."
"Yes."
The twins’ room had a double decker bed.
Asher climbed to the upper level while Chloe settled into Hope’s bed below.
The lights were turned down.
The room became quiet.
For several minutes, Chloe thought Asher had already fallen asleep.
Then his small voice came from above.
"Big sis?"
Chloe opened her eyes.
"Yes?"
There was a pause.
Then Asher asked quietly,
"She will be alright, right?"
Chloe looked toward the ceiling.
His voice continued.
"I can’t go anywhere without her."
The words made her heart ache.
Chloe smiled even though he couldn’t see her.
"Of course she will be."
She pulled the blanket slightly higher.
"She’ll be alright."
Her voice became gentle.
"And she’ll come back to you."