Eden Raven, the same tall and muscular man who was old friends with Miles, stood before the very man in a gatekeeper's outfit.“What’s up, Buddy?” Eden replied with a smile before spreading his arms to look down at himself. “Yep! It’s me. Actually, the day you met me here, I lied when I said I was simply here to drop something for another company. I actually came to apply for a job. Since I don’t have much of a qualification, I could only get this job.” He looked down shyly. “I guess I was too embarrassed to tell you about it.”Miles sighed as he put away his sunglasses before holding Eden’s chiseled face with both hands. “Yo! We’ve been the best of friends for so long, and yet, you’re hesitant to tell me things honestly just because it’s been a while? Tell me, do you still consider me a friend?”It was quite a funny sight as Eden’s face was squished between Miles’s palms as he nodded. “You don’t even need to doubt that.”“Good, then.” Miles nodded his head as well. “So be honest with
Fisher glared at the two in their feet, not even bothering to offer them a seat. “You two should be utterly ashamed of yourselves, as I am ashamed of you both as your superior. Do you know that those apprehended security guards have confessed?” Without a request for explanation from either of the standing men, he opened his laptop and turned the screen to the two men.Fear gripped both Edmund and the head of security as they watched those security guards confessing that it was all Edmund’s plan, and he had been working closely with the head of security guards to incriminate Miles and have him locked up for the rest of his life. They then also confessed that Edmund was also behind the slander dealt to Lola – the false rumor about Miles giving his wife to Fisher for power.The two men couldn’t even say anything as they fell straight to their knees.Edmund looked at Fisher. “Mr. McCall, I’ll have to plead with you to let this matter go. If you do this, I promise that I can talk to the hi
Before either Edmund or the head of security guards could retort, Miles walked over to deliver a brutal slap to the head of security guards’ face. The older man groaned as he wobbled to the side. The pain on his face made him furious and he balled his fist as he turned a heated glare at Mike’s.“How dare you slap me?!” He suddenly got up on his feet and he aimed a punch at Miles’s face.Miles saw this coming and he quickly swerved to the left, avoiding it without much expression on his face. He then held the man’s wrist before delivering a ruthless punch of his own to the man’s stomach. The head of security guards groaned out and hunched over the punch as he felt extreme pain rush through his abdomen. He fell right back to his knees as soon as Miles let him go.Miles looked down at the man now on his knees. “I dare you to attempt another strike at me.”The head of security guards cowered as he scurried behind Edmund with fear. He had no idea Miles was this strong. If he had been told
Edmund was too stunned and his brain couldn’t function properly for a while. He could only stare at Miles dumbly as his brain was processing very slowly.Edmund began recalling on everything he knew about Miles. He recalled that Miles had managed to get that $300,000 for his daughter’s treatment. He had told his wife that he didn’t get it as a loan from dangerous gang members. Was he telling the truth then? He realized with shock that Miles was properly the invisible hand raising his wife through the ranks in the company. However, it had to be made clear that Lola had earned every single success She had gotten so far. She only needed help with dealing with people like Edmund who were trying to bring her down through horrible means.Wind couldn’t believe it. This whole time, he had been offending a very powerful man.The head of security, on the other hand, quickly accepted this sudden truth. “Chairman Miles!” He had almost bowed down to Miles, shocking the three other men in the offic
Miles straightened in his seat. “This is the punishment you will bear. As long as you work as a staff of Styleon Group Corporation, you will not be able to avoid them.” He allowed a moment of silence to pass so that his words could sink into the two culprit’s heads. “You two would no longer be at the rank you currently are from now on.” He pointed at the head of security guards. “You! From now on, you will be nothing more than a junior worker at this company. Also, you’re no longer a security guard but a gatekeeper. Therefore, you should never be seen inside the company building ever again. By the end of today, you are expected to join your new coworkers outside of this building, as you will be working at the gates.”“Chairman! Please, no!” The former head of security had tears at the edges of his eyes as he began pleading miserably. The security officers of Styleon Group Corporation had always looked down upon the gatekeepers as the former worked inside the building while the latter
Lola had never expected to find Edmund and the head of security guards kneeling outside the company building. “Mr. Porsche, what are you doing kneeling by the company’s entrance?” Edmund was deeply ashamed when he saw the way Lola was looking at him. “Lola, beg your husband. Look, I’m sorry for everything I did to you.”The former head of security guards tried to ask for Lola’s help but Wind quickly shut him up.Lola shook her head at the two. “I don’t know why you guys are being punished by kneeling here, but I have something to say.” She bravely looked at Edmund in the eyes. “Mr. Porsche, you are nothing but a worthless scum! How could you do that to me?! You were the one who forced that project contract upon me as a major task to pass my probation period. That was very unethical of you, and I should have reported you long ago. Yet, I kept quiet for the sake of peace. You have no idea what I went through to secure that contract with Eckre Empire Headquarters. Yet, you shamelessly t
“Dorian, what’s wrong?” Miles didn’t expect to hear what Dorian said next.“Young Master Miles, it’s very urgent! I need you to come to the company as soon as possible!” Dorian’s worried voice came through the call.Miles became skeptical when he heard this. “Dorian tell me. This isn’t an attempt to get me to agree to visit my father back home, right?”“Young Master Miles, I promise that this is not the case. It is about the family business empire, Sir. It’s currently at the edge of a crisis.”Miles lurched from his seat into a stand. “What?! Dorian, talk to me! Is my father okay? What exactly happened?!” He knew quite well that Dorian would never truck him like this. This is exactly what made him very shocked. The Eckre Empire Headquarters was worth over $5 trillion. So what on earth could have pushed it to the edge of a possible crisis? How did that even happen in the first place?“Young Master Miles, it would be best if you come over. I don’t think it’s best to have this kind of co
“Dorian, I want you to book me an early flight to the capital tomorrow.” Miles suddenly turned to the butler with a commanding tone.Dorian was, of course, cut off guard. “Young Master Miles, you can’t do that. Your father strictly demanded that you remain as low-key as possible. If you go to the capital, you might come across whoever or whatever has sent the entire Creek family into hiding. Plus, if they catch you, they might use you to threaten your father, forcing him out of hiding.”Miles sighed. “Keep the booking on the hush-hush then. But Dorian, I have to visit my family’s home. I need to see how things are over there. I’ve been away from there for too long to not know now.”Miles had walked out of the Eckre Empire Headquarters building feeling a bit soulless. He currently had his mind riddled with so many thoughts. Even on his way home, he couldn’t get his mind off of his family, wondering if they were okay or not. The person he was most worried about was his father. Those yea
Miles knelt down to her level, smiling softly. "We did, sweetheart. But winning was just the first step. Now we have to make sure it stays won."Sarah's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"Miles quickly looked at his family, then shifted his focus back to Sarah. "We still have a large amount of work in front of us." Nevertheless, I think we are prepared for the challenge. Do you want to assist us in improving the city? Sarah nodded with great enthusiasm. "May I work as your aide?" The room was filled with laughter, relieving the tension that was growing. Miles stood and playfully tousled Sarah's hair. "You have the ability to become anything you desire, young one. "That is the main objective." Maxwell cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Miles, there's something else we need to discuss. About your role in the family."Miles tensed, memories of their past conflicts flooding back. "Dad, I-"Maxwell held up a hand. "Let me finish. I was wrong, son. I tried t
Miles paused at the door, turning back to face his defeated enemy. "You're right about one thing, Ethan. It's not over. It's just beginning. But this time, we're building something better. Something just."With that, they left, racing towards the Lyon compound. While driving through the city streets, they observed evidence of the night's happenings all around - police barriers, lights flashing, and groups of spectators. "What do you think Joseph Lyon has?" Lola asked, her brow furrowed with concern.Miles shook his head. "I don't know, but we can't let him walk. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."They arrived at the Lyon compound to find it in chaos. Creek family members and newly arrived police officers were everywhere, securing the premises and rounding up Lyon family members and associates.Elena met them at the entrance, her face grim. "Joseph's in the basement. He's threatening to upload some kind of dossier to the internet if we don't let him go.""What's in the dossier?"
Elena's voice came through, tense but steady. "She's inside. Ethan took the bait. He's got her in his office."Miles tightened his fists, suppressing the anxiety eating away at his stomach. "Okay then. I am entering. Always remain committed to the plan, regardless of any obstacles that may arise. With that, he walked confidently towards the front door, feeling his heart racing but remaining determined. The guards by the entrance became tense when he neared. Miles declared that he is here to visit Ethan with a commanding tone that left no room for disagreement. The guards nervously looked at each other before one of them communicated on his radio. After a brief pause, they moved out of the way, letting Miles go through. While strolling through the grand corridors, Miles couldn't shake the thought of the countless lives ruined to uphold this image of authority and extravagance. He prepared himself, aware that tonight marked the end of everything. He reached Ethan's office door, pau
Miles took a deep breath, his mind racing with possibilities. "We need to create a distraction. Something big enough to draw Ethan's attention away from his office."Lola stepped forward, her face set with determination. "I have an idea. But you're not going to like it."Miles turned to her, concern etched on his face. "Lola, what are you thinking?""Me," she said simply. "I'll turn myself in to Ethan. Tell him I'm abandoning you, that I want to make a deal.""Absolutely not," Miles said firmly. "It's too dangerous."Lola stood her ground. "It's the perfect distraction. Ethan won't be able to resist the opportunity to use me against you.""She's right," Rachel interjected. "Ethan's obsessed with destroying you, Miles. Having Lola in his grasp would be irresistible."Miles shook his head, his voice rising. "No, I won't risk you like that. There has to be another way.""There isn't," Lola insisted. "We're running out of time and options. This is our best shot."Maxwell placed a hand on
"Dad!" he called out. "This way!"In some way, amidst the chaos and lack of light, they succeeded in coming together again and leaving the cabin. In the woods, they ran without direction, with the sound of their pursuers not far behind. "There's a river approaching," Maxwell gasped while they ran. "If we manage to get across, we could risk losing them." They continued moving forward, with branches lashing their faces and the ground unpredictable beneath their feet. At last, the sound of water rushing reached their ears. "We arrived," Elena wheezed. But as they reached the riverbank, a shot rang out. Miles felt a searing pain in his arm and stumbled."Miles!" Lola cried out."I'm fine," he forced through clenched teeth. "We must continue to keep going forward." Stepping into the icy water, they could hear their pursuers approaching nearer. Miles glanced behind him and observed flashlights moving among the trees. With a sinking heart, he came to the realization that we will not be
While driving in uncomfortable silence, the city lights disappeared in the distance. After what felt like an endless amount of time, Dorian veered onto a dirt path that twisted through thick forests. "He declared that we are nearly there." Out of nowhere, headlights were visible in the rearview mirror. Dorian muttered curses quietly. "They've found us."Miles twisted in his seat, his heart pounding. "How? We were so careful!""Questions later," Dorian growled, pressing down on the accelerator. "Hold on, everyone!"The vehicle surged ahead, jolting harshly over the bumpy road. Sarah began to weep, and Lola tried her hardest to console her while hanging on tightly. "That way!" Elena yelled while indicating the direction in front. A tiny cabin appeared, tucked in between the trees. Maxwell came to a halt in front of the cabin. "Everybody, leave!" "Hurry up!" They scrambled out of the car, Miles helping Lola with Sarah while Elena and Maxwell grabbed what few bags they had managed t
It's a gamble," she remarked, "but there's a chance it could succeed." Count me in. One after another, the rest of the Autumns concurred. When they joined hands to confirm their sudden collaboration, Miles felt a spark of hope for the first time in weeks. Miles did not realize that another person was secretly listening to their conversation. In a room on the upper floor, Maximilian Autumn, the eldest child of Nigel and heir of the Autumn family, was having a conversation on the telephone. "Did you get all that, Ethan?" Maximilian whispered.On the other end of the line, Ethan Chariot's voice crackled. "Every word. Good work, Maximilian. Your family's betrayal won't be forgotten when this is all over."Maximilian's grip tightened on the phone. "Just remember our deal. When the dust settles, I want control of both the Autumn and Chariot families."Ethan chuckled darkly. "Of course. As long as you hold up your end, you'll get everything we agreed upon. Now, let's discuss how we're goi
While embracing each other, both fully conscious of the peril nearby, a faint voice was heard from the staircase. "Mom?" Father? "What's happening?" Miles and Lola looked in the direction Sarah was standing, her worried expression evident on her small face. They shared a glance, aware that their future decisions would impact not only their destiny, but also that of their daughter and the whole city. Miles kneeled and extended his arms towards Sarah. "Sweetheart, please come over here." Mom and Dad have something significant they need to inform you about. While Sarah embraced them, Miles and Lola promised quietly to defend their family and seek retribution against anyone who posed a threat. The larger view was starting to become clear, bringing with it the understanding that their lives were about to change forever. The sudden ringing of the doorbell surprised Miles and Lola, interrupting their quiet chat. Miles cautiously approached the door, looking through the peephole. Surpris
He was startled by the ringing of the doorbell. He opened the door and saw Rachael Autumn standing there, her face showing signs of worry. "Rachael? What are you doing here?" Miles asked, ushering her inside.Rachael wrung her hands nervously. "Miles, we need to talk. It's about your family... and mine."Miles' eyes narrowed. "You mean how your family has been lying to me all this time? Using me?"Rachael flinched. "It's not like that, Miles. We didn't have a choice.""There's always a choice, Rachael," Miles spat. "You could have told me the truth.""And you?" Rachael shot back. "You lied too. You said you were single, that you were just Miles Autumn. Was that all a ploy to get close to us, to get information?"Miles stepped back, stunned. "What? No, I... I never said I was single. I just... I didn't mention my family because I was trying to protect them."Rachael's eyes softened. "I believe you, Miles. But you have to understand, we're all caught up in something bigger than ourselv