Chapter 459: AWOL !!

"That would be mine."

Hope turned toward the doorway.

The moment she saw who was standing there, her eyes widened.

Then a smile appeared almost immediately.

"I knew it was you."

Nick walked into the office with a relaxed smile.

Behind him, two Secret Service agents remained near the corridor.

Gareth stood up from his chair.

His expression changed the moment he recognized the young man.

"Nicholas Abbott..."

Nick looked toward him.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Fenwick."

Gareth froze.

"You know me?"

Nick glanced toward Miles.

Then smiled.

"Oh."

"I was there last night."

Gareth’s face went blank for a moment.

Then realization came.

"You..."

He looked between Nick and Miles.

"You were there too?"

Nick nodded.

"I stayed nearby with Miles."

Gareth slowly sat back down.

Disbelief covered his face.

He looked toward Hope.

Then toward the two young men in front of him.

"I really cannot believe this."

His voice became quieter.

"So many important people were there..."

"Just to look after my daughter."

He lowered his head.

"Thank you."

Then added,

"Honestly..."

"I feel ashamed."

Nick’s expression softened.

"Past is past, Mr. Fenwick."

Gareth looked toward him.

Nick continued,

"I was only accompanying my friend."

He pointed toward Miles.

"He was the one who noticed something was wrong."

Miles gave Nick a look.

Nick smiled innocently.

Hope held the small music player out.

"Here."

Nick looked toward it.

Hope continued,

"You dropped this yesterday."

Nick accepted it for a second.

Then looked toward Miles.

A mischievous smile appeared.

"You can keep it."

Hope blinked.

"Really?"

Nick pointed toward Miles.

"Just ask Miles to remove the bug first."

Hope’s eyes widened.

Gareth looked toward Miles.

June covered a smile.

Miles stared at Nick.

"What?"

Nick raised an eyebrow.

Miles continued,

"Can’t you give her a new one?"

Nick laughed.

"I brought something better."

Hope became curious.

"Something better?"

Nick reached inside his jacket.

Then pulled out an envelope.

He held it toward her.

"Miles asked me to arrange this for you."

Hope looked toward Miles.

Miles simply smiled.

She carefully accepted the envelope.

Then opened it.

A formal document was inside.

She read the heading.

Her expression slowly changed.

"This..."

She looked up.

Then read it again.

"This is a scholarship opportunity for the National University of Biotechnology."

Gareth immediately looked toward the document.

Hope seemed stunned.

"Isn’t this..."

She looked toward Nick.

"Isn’t this given to only a few students?"

Nick smiled.

"Well."

"I have my ways."

Miles chuckled.

Nick continued,

"But don’t misunderstand."

Hope listened carefully.

"This doesn’t guarantee admission."

She nodded.

"You still need to pass the entrance examination."

Nick pointed toward the letter.

"If you qualify..."

"The scholarship becomes available."

Hope looked back at the paper.

Nick continued,

"You have almost two years."

"Prepare properly."

"Don’t waste the opportunity."

Hope held the envelope carefully.

Her eyes were already bright.

"I won’t."

She looked toward Nick.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Nick."

Then toward Miles.

"And Brother Miles."

Her voice became more determined.

"I’ll work hard."

"I won’t let you down."

Miles smiled.

"You don’t have to prove anything to us."

Hope looked toward him.

"Do it for yourself."

She nodded firmly.

Gareth looked toward Miles.

His eyes were filled with gratitude.

"Thank you."

Miles leaned back.

"She’s a bright student."

He looked toward Hope.

"I believe she can get admission on her own."

Hope smiled.

"But..."

Miles raised one finger.

"You need to focus on yourself now."

Hope blinked.

"No more convenience store work."

She immediately looked toward her father.

Gareth nodded before she could say anything.

"Leave that to me."

Hope opened her mouth.

"Dad..."

"No."

Gareth shook his head.

"You’ve already done enough."

He looked toward Miles.

"And I’m responsible for it."

His expression became serious.

"She’ll focus on school."

"The store is my responsibility."

Hope looked toward the scholarship letter again.

Then slowly nodded.

"Okay."

Gareth stood.

"Once again..."

He looked toward Miles.

"Thank you."

Then toward Nick.

"You too."

Nick smiled.

"Good luck."

Hope stood beside her father.

Before leaving, she looked toward Miles one more time.

"Bye, Brother."

Miles smiled.

"Take care."

Hope nodded.

Then she and Gareth left the office.

The door closed.

For a few seconds...

Miles remained quiet.

Then he looked toward Nick.

"So."

Nick looked back.

"What brings you here?"

Nick dropped into the chair Hope had just left.

"Nothing."

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing?"

"I’m coming from Launchpad."

Miles leaned back.

"How are things?"

Nick immediately became more animated.

"Really good."

June looked toward him.

Nick continued,

"I’m honestly surprised."

"About?"

"The mixed teams."

Miles smiled.

Nick continued,

"I thought it would become awkward."

"Different ages."

"Different backgrounds."

"People who don’t know one another."

"But they blended really well."

Miles nodded.

Nick continued,

"And the daily feedback system is actually great."

"People are taking it seriously."

"Even the ones who thought the first sessions were too basic."

June smiled.

Nick continued,

"They are learning a lot."

"Not only from mentors."

"From each other too."

Miles looked satisfied.

Nick leaned forward.

"I seriously can’t wait for the pitch event."

His eyes brightened.

"I want to see what everyone comes up with."

He smiled.

"The finals should be interesting."

Miles watched him for a moment.

Then asked,

"Want to invest in some?"

Nick stopped.

"What?"

Miles repeated,

"Do you want to invest?"

Nick pointed toward himself.

"Me?"

"Yes."

Nick looked thoughtful.

"Should I?"

Miles smiled.

"Why not?"

Nick hesitated.

Miles continued,

"Your mother would probably be happy if you started taking your own steps."

Nick immediately made a face.

"Don’t start."

Miles laughed.

"I’m serious."

Nick looked toward him.

Miles continued,

"I’m not hosting Launchpad so Sterling Enterprises can take every good company."

June nodded.

Miles said,

"The point is to help deserving people grow."

"If Sterling invests in everything..."

"It defeats half the purpose."

Nick listened.

Miles continued,

"If you find something you genuinely believe in..."

"Support it."

"Small investment."

"Loan."

"Equity."

"Whatever makes sense."

Nick became thoughtful.

Miles added,

"And believe me..."

"Your father will like it."

Nick narrowed his eyes.

Miles smiled.

"Elections are coming."

Nick sighed.

"Please don’t talk like him."

Miles laughed.

Nick remained quiet for a moment.

Then slowly nodded.

"But..."

"You’re right."

He pulled out his phone.

"I’ll call Mom."

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Now?"

"Yes."

Nick stood.

"I’ll ask if I can lend some funds."

Miles smiled.

"Lend?"

Nick looked back.

"I don’t want them to just give me money."

Miles nodded approvingly.

"A debt."

Nick pointed toward him.

"Exactly."

Miles smiled.

"Nice approach."

"This way..."

"You’re taking the risk yourself."

Nick nodded.

"And if I lose it..."

"It’s my problem."

Miles smiled.

"Now you’re learning."

Nick walked toward the door.

"I’ll call her."

Then stepped outside.

June watched him leave.

A small smile appeared.

"I can already see praise from Ivory House coming toward you."

Miles sighed.

"At least he won’t return home empty handed."

June laughed.

Miles leaned back.

"I thought he would actively participate in Launchpad."

"Sit through sessions."

"Learn."

He shook his head.

"But look at him."

"Half the time he’s just collecting content for social media."

June smiled.

Miles continued,

"What should I call him?"

"A genius?"

"Or dumb?"

June laughed softly.

Then looked toward Miles.

"Sometimes you forget something, Boss."

"What?"

"We’re still young."

Miles looked at her.

June continued,

"You’ve achieved so much at this age..."

"That you forget it’s not normal."

Miles became quiet.

June smiled.

"Nick has time."

"He can make mistakes."

"Try things."

"Change his mind."

"Learn."

"He doesn’t have to figure out his whole life at twenty three."

Miles slowly nodded.

"Makes sense."

Then he paused.

"Twenty three."

June looked toward him.

Miles suddenly said,

"Married at twenty three."

June already knew what was coming.

Miles looked genuinely thoughtful.

"Am I too fast?"

June stared.

Then smiled.

"Not at all, Boss."

Miles looked toward her.

June continued,

"You’re on a completely different level from most people our age."

"And..."

She shrugged.

"There’s nothing wrong with marrying someone you love when you’re already stable."

Miles smiled faintly.

"Successful enough?"

June nodded.

"More than enough."

Miles stared at her.

Then a mischievous smile appeared.

"So..."

June’s expression changed immediately.

Miles continued,

"When are you getting married?"

June froze.

Miles smiled wider.

"Your boyfriend still hasn’t proposed?"

"Boss."

Miles raised both hands.

"Sorry."

June shook her head.

Miles chuckled.

Then June sighed.

"I think men have this thing."

Miles became curious.

"What thing?"

"Wanting to achieve something first."

She looked toward the window.

"Before taking on a huge responsibility."

Miles listened.

June continued,

"Sometimes..."

"I hate it."

Miles smiled.

"But?"

"But I understand it too."

She looked down at the tablet.

"I don’t want to rush him."

"I want him to achieve his dream."

"Get where he wants to go."

"And when that day comes..."

Her expression softened.

"I’ll be there."

Miles watched her.

June continued,

"I can wait."

"I’ll support him."

Miles smiled.

"June?"

She looked toward him.

"Yes?"

Miles stared.

Then smiled wider.

"You’re blushing."

June immediately turned away.

Miles laughed.

"Boss."

"Sorry."

He tried controlling his smile.

"I’ll stop teasing."

June looked back suspiciously.

Miles became sincere.

"You are one of the hardest working people in Sterling Enterprises."

June’s expression softened.

Miles continued,

"You’ve achieved a lot too."

"For your age."

June smiled.

"Thank you, Boss."

Miles nodded.

"And if you ever need help..."

"Ask."

June laughed.

Miles continued,

"I might even arrange you a front row ticket for a stand up comedy show."

June stared.

Miles smiled.

"Like I did for Monica."

June immediately shook her head.

"Well..."

"I hope I never need that."

Miles laughed.

"Me too."

The office door suddenly opened.

Nick rushed back inside.

"I got funds."

Miles blinked.

"That fast?"

Nick smiled proudly.

"Yes."

June laughed.

Miles nodded.

"Good for you."

Then added,

"Now take it seriously."

Nick nodded.

"I actually think I will."

He looked toward his phone.

"Otherwise..."

He sighed.

"Father will eventually force me into politics."

Miles smiled.

"Exactly."

Nick pointed at him.

"Don’t encourage him."

Miles laughed.

Nick started walking out again.

"I’m going back to Launchpad."

Miles nodded.

"Go."

Nick waved.

"See you."

Then left.

Miles watched the door close.

His phone buzzed almost immediately.

He looked down.

Charles.

Miles answered.

"Charles?"

The voice on the other end was different.

Serious.

"Boss."

Miles’ smile disappeared.

"Something happened."

Miles stood straighter.

"What?"

June immediately looked toward him.

Charles continued,

"We were following the man who delivered the envelope to Thea."

Miles listened carefully.

"From Rhythm Street?"

"Yes."

"We tracked him all the way from Citadel to Star Harbor."

Miles’ eyes narrowed.

Charles continued,

"When he landed at the airport..."

"We noticed something."

"What?"

"President Abbott’s daughter’s flight landed around the same time."

Miles became completely still.

"Evelyn?"

"Yes."

Charles continued,

"The man wasn’t alone."

Miles’ fist slowly tightened.

"People were waiting for him."

June stood.

Charles continued,

"They made a move on Evelyn inside the airport."

Miles’ expression became cold.

"What kind of move?"

"They tried to abduct her."

Silence.

Miles’ eyes hardened instantly.

Charles continued,

"One assigned Secret Service agent went with her toward the washroom area."

Miles listened.

"The agent was found unconscious inside."

June stared at Miles.

Charles continued,

"They got to Evelyn."

Miles’ grip around the phone tightened.

"How?"

"Chloroform."

Miles closed his eyes for half a second.

Charles continued,

"They changed her position."

"Put her into a wheelchair."

"Covered her."

"Made it look like she was an unconscious or sick passenger being assisted out."

Miles’ voice became dangerously calm.

"Where were the rest of the Secret Service?"

Charles paused.

"That’s the problem."

Miles understood immediately.

Charles continued,

"The rest were nowhere near their assigned positions."

Miles’ eyes narrowed.

"They almost got her out."

Charles continued,

"They reached the taxi lane."

"But our agents were already following the Rhythm Street contact."

"They noticed the movement."

"The wheelchair."

"The people around it."

"And when they confirmed Evelyn’s face..."

"Our teams surrounded them."

Miles finally breathed.

"Is she hurt?"

"No."

Miles closed his eyes briefly.

Charles continued,

"She’s unconscious."

"We’ve already moved her to medical care."

Miles looked toward June.

June understood enough from his expression to know this was serious.

Charles continued,

"But there’s something else."

Miles asked,

"The Secret Service."

"Yes."

Charles’ voice became colder.

"Except for the agent they knocked unconscious inside the bathroom..."

"The rest of her assigned security detail is AWOL."

Miles didn’t hesitate.

"They were involved."

"Definitely."

Charles continued,

"It was too clean."

"Too much space was deliberately left around her."

Miles walked toward the window.

"What about the people you captured?"

"In our custody."

"Identification?"

"Confirmed."

Miles waited.

Charles continued,

"Spider tattoos."

His voice lowered.

"WEB."

Miles became silent.

For several seconds...

He simply stared over Star Harbor.

Then asked,

"What does WEB want with the President’s daughter?"

No one answered.

But Miles already had one possibility.

His eyes sharpened.

"Vivienne."

Charles became quiet.

Miles continued,

"She started her game."

June frowned.

Miles turned away from the window.

"Update Aerin and Ren immediately."

Charles replied,

"Understood."

"They stay with WEB longer."

Miles continued,

"Do not let them break cover."

"If this operation was moved early..."

"We need to know why."

Charles replied,

"Copy that."

Miles continued,

"Timothy’s bait operation stays active."

"Everything stays active."

"Let WEB believe their plans are still moving."

Charles agreed.

"Yes, Boss."

Miles looked toward the phone.

"I’m calling the President."

"Understood."

The call ended.

Miles immediately opened another contact.

President Maxwell Abbott.

It barely rang.

Then the call connected.

"Miles."

Maxwell’s voice was tense.

"I was about to call you."

Miles remained calm.

Maxwell continued,

"We lost contact with Evelyn."

His breathing was heavier than usual.

"And her security detail."

Miles replied immediately,

"She’s safe, Mr. President."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Then Maxwell’s voice came sharply.

"What?"

Miles continued,

"We have her."

"She’s safe."

Maxwell exhaled.

"Where?"

"Star Harbor."

"What happened?"

Miles looked toward June.

Then said,

"WEB."

Maxwell went quiet.

Miles continued,

"They tried to abduct Evelyn at the airport."

Maxwell’s voice became colder.

"They did what?"

"One Secret Service agent was attacked."

Miles continued,

"The rest of the detail..."

He paused.

"...was involved."

Maxwell didn’t respond.

Miles added,

"Except for one."

"Everyone else assigned to her disappeared from their posts."

Maxwell sounded like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

"No way."

Miles remained silent.

Maxwell asked,

"Where is she now?"

"Under medical care."

Miles continued,

"She was unconscious when we recovered her."

"What did they do?"

"Chloroform."

Maxwell released a slow breath.

"No physical injury?"

"None that we’ve found."

"We’ll have a full medical evaluation."

Maxwell became quiet.

Miles continued,

"We captured the WEB operatives involved."

"All alive."

"They’re in Sterling custody right now."

"We’re ready to hand them over whenever you want."

Maxwell’s voice changed.

"No."

Miles paused.

Maxwell continued,

"Keep them."

Miles listened.

"At least for now."

Maxwell’s breathing finally steadied.

Then he said,

"Keep my children safe there, Miles."

The words were no longer coming from the President.

They were coming from a father.

Miles’ expression softened slightly.

"Nick and Evie will be safe."

Maxwell remained silent.

Miles continued,

"I promise."

A few seconds passed.

Then Maxwell’s voice became cold again.

"It looks like they want war with us."

Miles stared through the windows of Cinder Square.

His eyes hardened.

"If they want a war..."

His fingers slowly tightened around the phone.

"...then we give them war."