Evening...

Pearl Villa...

The soft golden light of sunset entered through the large windows of Miles’ room.

The room itself was spacious yet simple.

Miles stood near the center of the room wearing comfortable training clothes.

A loose black sleeveless shirt.

Grey workout pants.

His body had mostly recovered now.

Though faint scars still remained across parts of his arms and torso.

The injuries from the battle with Al Qiyan were healing well.

But years of training had taught him something important.

A fighter who stopped moving...

Became weak.

Miles slowly stretched his arms upward.

The muscles along his shoulders tightened slightly.

Then he slowly rotated both shoulders backward.

Carefully.

Methodically.

Without rushing.

He stretched one arm across his chest and used the other to hold it in place.

Then switched sides.

After that...

He bent slightly to stretch his waist and lower back.

His movements remained controlled.

Disciplined.

Like second nature.

He slowly sat down and stretched both legs forward.

One leg bent inward.

The other extended.

He leaned carefully toward his foot.

The healing muscles around his ribs slightly tightened.

But there was no sharp pain anymore.

Miles quietly exhaled.

"Looks like I finally recovered properly..."

He rolled his ankles slightly.

Then stood up again.

For a few moments...

He wondered if he should attempt something more serious.

Push ups.

He looked toward the floor thoughtfully.

"My ribs do not hurt anymore anyways..."

Slowly...

Miles lowered himself onto all fours.

Both palms firmly planted on the ground.

His posture stabilized naturally.

Then he slowly lowered his body down.

And pushed himself back up.

Smooth.

Controlled.

No pain.

Miles blinked slightly.

"This feels easy..."

He continued again.

Down.

Up.

Down.

Up.

Then suddenly...

The bedroom door burst open.

"Big bro save meee!" Asher shouted

Tiny footsteps rushed inside the room.

Asher ran around wildly while Hope chased him from behind.

"You give it back!"

Miles continued his push ups calmly while watching the chaos happen around him.

"Slow down you two..."

"You will get hurt."

Asher immediately circled around him to escape.

Hope tried catching him from the other side.

But Asher moved away again.

Then suddenly...

Hope climbed directly onto Miles’ back.

Miles instantly tightened his body to avoid losing balance.

His muscles flexed slightly as he caught Hope securely with one hand before carefully standing up.

At the same moment...

Asher tried escaping again.

But Miles quickly grabbed him too.

Within seconds...

Both tiny troublemakers were trapped.

Miles carried them both toward the bed and gently dropped them there.

"Now..."

"Why are you running around like this?"

Hope immediately pointed at Asher dramatically.

"Big brooo..."

"He hid my eraser!"

Miles slowly looked toward Asher.

"Asher..."

"Why did you hide the eraser?"

Asher awkwardly looked away.

"Umm..."

Miles sighed dramatically before ruffling both their heads together.

"You should not trouble your sister."

"You are a man right?"

"You should protect her."

"Not make her sad."

Asher instantly lowered his head.

"Sorry Hope..."

Then he quickly pulled the pink eraser from his pocket.

"Here..."

Hope immediately brightened.

"Thanks!"

Miles smiled softly watching them.

Then Hope suddenly noticed the bookshelf nearby.

"Big bro..."

"Are those comic books?"

Asher instantly jumped excitedly.

"Where?!"

Miles turned his head slightly.

"Oh..."

"Those?"

"Big sister Mona brought them from work."

"She is working with a new company that animates those."

Hope’s eyes sparkled instantly.

"Really?!"

"Can I see them draw?"

Miles chuckled.

"Of course."

"You can ask big sis Mona to take you someday."

Asher climbed closer immediately.

"I want to see these big bro."

"Me too!" Hope joined instantly.

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"They are in Chinese."

Hope immediately crossed her arms proudly.

"Still..."

"I want."

Miles laughed softly.

Then he walked toward the shelf and picked several cleaner and more child friendly volumes before placing them carefully on the bed.

"Alright."

"You two quietly look at these."

"Let big bro exercise."

Both immediately shouted together.

"Thank you big brooo!"

Miles smiled while returning to the floor again.

Meanwhile...

The twins sat together carefully flipping through the colorful comic pages.

Hope’s eyes sparkled.

"She is sooo pretty..."

Asher pointed toward another character.

"He looks like dad."

Miles quietly smiled hearing them.

Then he switched positions to continue another stretch.

Sweat lightly formed around his forehead now.

He glanced toward the cabinet nearby.

"Asher..."

"Can you pass me the towel from the first drawer?"

Hope instantly jumped first.

"Me me me!"

She quickly ran toward the cabinet before Asher could move.

Hope opened the drawer enthusiastically.

But then...

She suddenly paused.

"Big bro?"

Miles looked over.

"What happened?"

Hope pulled out a delicate hairclip carefully between her tiny fingers.

The clip reflected softly beneath the evening light.

It was elegant.

Beautiful.

A little old.

"Is this a hairclip?"

"It is so pretty..."

Miles froze slightly.

His eyes slowly settled on it.

"This one..."

For a brief moment...

His thoughts quietly drifted elsewhere.

Toward Paris.

Toward that box.

Toward scattered memories.

It must have fallen from Chloe’s things when he took the diary out before.

Asher immediately grinned mischievously.

"Big brooo..."

"What were you doing with a hairclip?"

"Is it your girlfriend’s?"

Miles said nothing.

For a few seconds...

He looked strangely distant.

Lost.

Then Hope suddenly hugged the hairclip tightly.

"Big bro..."

"Can I keep it?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"It looks so pretty..."

Miles looked toward her.

Hope’s eyes were shining with pure excitement.

Completely innocent.

Completely unaware.

Miles softly exhaled.

"This..."

"Pleaseeeee..."

Hope stretched the word dramatically while making the cutest face possible.

Miles finally smiled faintly.

"Alright."

Hope immediately jumped excitedly.

"Yayyyy!"

"Thanks big brooo!"

"You are the best!"

She ran out of the room happily while holding the hairclip carefully like treasure.

Asher instantly followed behind her.

Miles looked toward the open doorway.

Then quietly shook his head with a helpless smile.

"These two..."

Meanwhile...

Inside the glowing evening roads of Star Harbor...

The city lights slowly awakened one after another as the sky turned darker shades of blue.

Cars moved smoothly through the wide roads.

Restaurants became lively.

Street musicians played soft melodies near sidewalks.

And the sea breeze carried the cool scent of salt through the city.

Inside one of the cars

Alice sat near the window while checking messages on her phone.

Kate drove calmly.

And Chloe...

Chloe looked half dead.

She leaned against the seat while holding a coffee cup that had long gone cold.

Another yawn escaped her lips.

Alice looked sideways.

"You are still sleepy?"

Chloe lazily nodded.

"Hnmm..."

Kate laughed softly from the driver seat.

"Sometimes you both seriously need a babysitter."

Alice dramatically placed a hand on her chest.

"My dear Kate..."

"What would I even do without you?"

Kate shook her head helplessly.

"You both would probably forget food and sleep if I disappeared for one week."

Chloe quietly muttered while staring outside.

"I already forgot sleep..."

Alice chuckled.

The car slowly turned toward a beautiful street lined with warm lights and elegant restaurants.

Then finally...

The car stopped in front of The Atelier.

Golden lights reflected beautifully across the restaurant exterior.

Fresh flowers decorated the entrance.

The atmosphere looked peaceful and luxurious at the same time.

Alice slowly looked outside.

"We have arrived."

The three women stepped out of the car.

Alice wore a sophisticated cream colored long coat over a black dress.

Elegant.

Professional.

Yet stylish.

Her hair rested neatly over one shoulder while silver earrings reflected softly beneath the lights.

Kate wore a dark blue fitted suit with a long skirt and a white blouse beneath.

She looked calm and mature.

Like someone capable of handling every problem quietly.

And Chloe...

Chloe looked softer compared to them.

She wore an oversized beige top with a long white skirt.

Her glasses rested gently over her face while her slightly messy hair gave her an unintentionally adorable appearance.

She looked more like a sleepy artist dragged outside against her will.

The three women entered the restaurant.

The warm aroma of food instantly surrounded them.

Soft piano music played inside.

Customers chatted quietly.

The entire atmosphere felt peaceful.

Then...

Daniel walked toward them with a welcoming smile.

"You three are Mona’s guests?"

Alice nodded politely.

"Yes??"

Daniel smiled warmly.

"Follow me."

Chloe slowly leaned closer toward Alice and whispered quietly.

"Mona?"

Alice gave her a similarly confused look.

Daniel guided them through the restaurant toward a private dining room upstairs.

"Please take your seats."

"Mona is helping in the kitchen."

"I will call her."

Alice blinked.

"Kitchen?"

Before Daniel could answer...

Another voice came from behind.

"Thanks uncle..."

"I am here."

Monica walked into the room.

Kate’s eyes widened slightly.

"Uncle?"

Daniel smiled casually before leaving the room.

"You young people enjoy."

The door closed behind him.

Silence remained for a second.

Monica smiled lightly.

"Good evening everyone."

"And nice to meet you Chloe."

Chloe straightened slightly.

"Miss Monica..."

"I really cannot believe it is you."

"Nice to meet you too."

Alice still looked confused by the entire atmosphere.

Monica noticed immediately.

"Have a seat everyone."

"Aunt is preparing the dishes."

"We can talk until then and have some drinks."

Alice blinked again.

"Aunt?"

Monica suddenly realized something.

"Oh..."

"I forgot to tell you."

"This place is run by uncle and aunt."

"Miles’ parents."

Alice’s expression shifted slightly.

"Oh..."

"I remember him mentioning the restaurant during the pitch."

Chloe looked genuinely stunned now.

"You mean to say..."

"The Chairman’s father personally guided us to the room?"

Monica laughed softly.

"Do not worry about uncle Daniel."

"He is all cool."

"Come on..."

"Let me serve you drinks."

She slowly picked up an expensive bottle of premium wine.

The liquid reflected dark ruby colors beneath the lights as Monica carefully poured the glasses one by one.

Then she gently slid the glasses across the table.

Alice smiled politely.

"Thank you Miss Monica."

Monica smiled back.

The women slowly took small sips.

Monica then noticed Chloe’s untouched glass.

"Chloe?"

"You do not like wine?"

Chloe awkwardly smiled.

"Sorry Miss Monica..."

"It is just..."

"I do not drink."

Monica raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Really?"

Alice immediately laughed.

"She misses all the fun whenever we hang out."

Monica chuckled softly.

"Even Miles does not drink."

Chloe looked surprised.

"Really?"

"I heard business officials force people to drink during meetings..."

Monica leaned back calmly.

"Well..."

"June handles most of those situations."

"But even then..."

"He never drinks."

"No matter who is sitting in front of him."

Before the conversation could continue...

The door knocked softly.

Then multiple waiters entered carrying beautifully prepared dishes.

The aroma instantly filled the room.

Fresh seafood.

Warm soups.

Grilled meat.

Elegant desserts.

Everything looked carefully prepared.

The dishes were arranged neatly across the long table.

Then finally...

Elena entered behind them.

Monica smiled warmly.

"Aunt Elena..."

"Thank you for all this."

Elena shook her head gently.

"Your guests are my guests."

Monica proudly looked toward the others.

"Everyone..."

"Meet my sweet aunt."

"She is the chef here."

"She personally made all these dishes."

"Believe me..."

"You will never forget the taste."

Alice immediately stood politely.

"Hello Mrs. Sterling."

Elena smiled softly.

"Ah..."

"It is Kellar dear."

"I remarried Daniel after Miles’ father Edward passed away."

Alice’s expression immediately shifted awkwardly.

"I am very sorry Mrs. Kellar..."

"I did not know..."

Elena smiled reassuringly.

"Do not worry."

"It is all in the past."

Kate smiled politely too.

"Hello Mrs. Kellar."

"Thank you for today."

Then...

Everyone suddenly noticed Chloe.

She had gone completely still.

Her eyes remained fixed on Elena.

Unmoving.

Almost frozen.

Alice blinked.

"Chloe?"

Elena slowly looked toward her too.

But Chloe kept staring silently.

Like something deep inside her mind had suddenly awakened.

Alice spoke again carefully.

"Chloe?"

Finally...

Chloe slowly came back from her trance.

Elena gently walked closer toward her with concern.

"What is it dear?"

"Is something troubling you?"

Chloe hesitated.

"Umm..."

"I..."

"It is just..."

"You look familiar..."