Chapter 461: Robots!!!

The car moved smoothly through the streets of Star Harbor.

For the first several minutes, Evelyn remained quiet.

She sat beside Miles and watched the city through the window.

The roads were busy, but not crowded.

People walked freely between cafes and shops.

Students crossed the street in groups.

Cyclists moved along the coastal road.

A family stood near an ice cream stall.

Everything looked ordinary.

Simple.

Evelyn kept watching.

Then she said quietly,

"This is the first time I have been outside without a Secret Service agent."

Miles glanced toward her.

"Really?"

Evelyn nodded.

"Completely without one."

Miles looked ahead again.

"Do you hate them?"

Evelyn thought for a moment.

"Not as people."

She shook her head.

"They are just doing their jobs."

Miles listened.

"They keep me safe."

"They follow orders."

"They are always around because something could happen."

Her eyes returned to the window.

"But being the President’s daughter takes away a lot of freedom too."

Miles smiled faintly.

"Part of the responsibility that comes with it, I guess."

Evelyn sighed.

"Yes."

Then she looked toward him.

Miles asked,

"So..."

"No Secret Service agent."

"Only me."

He smiled.

"Does that make you free?"

Evelyn narrowed her eyes.

"Are you bound by their rules?"

Miles thought about it.

Then shook his head.

"No."

Evelyn smiled.

Miles continued,

"I don’t have their rules."

"But I am still obligated to protect you."

Evelyn looked outside again.

"Any family or true friend would have that obligation."

Miles became quiet for a second.

Then smiled.

"I’m glad you think of me as one of those."

Evelyn smiled back.

The silence that followed was comfortable.

Miles drove for another minute.

Then asked,

"So where do you want to go?"

Evelyn looked toward him.

"Aren’t you busy, Brother?"

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Busy?"

"You are Chairman of Sterling Enterprises."

"Launchpad is happening."

She started counting.

"And probably ten other things I don’t know about."

Miles sighed.

"I wonder if they really need me."

Evelyn laughed.

"You mean your employees?"

"Yes."

Miles nodded seriously.

"They do all the work."

"And leave me a bunch of files to sign."

Evelyn stared at him.

"That cannot be all."

Miles smiled.

Evelyn continued,

"You are the Chairman."

"You definitely do more."

"Decisions."

"Planning."

"Investments."

"Problems."

"Meetings."

Miles sighed dramatically.

"See?"

"You already made my job sound exhausting."

Evelyn laughed.

Miles continued,

"Let’s not talk about work."

He glanced toward her.

"You are in Star Harbor."

"Tell me where you want to go."

Evelyn thought for a moment.

Then asked,

"Where is Brother?"

Miles chuckled.

"Launchpad."

Evelyn looked surprised.

"He is actually there?"

"Yes."

Miles continued,

"And it looks like your brother has developed an interest in business."

Evelyn stared.

Then slowly shook her head.

"I’m not sure how long that will last."

Miles laughed.

"You really don’t have much confidence in your brother."

Evelyn looked toward him.

"You know him well too."

Miles chuckled.

"Fair."

Evelyn relaxed against the seat.

"Anyway, if he is busy, let’s not disturb him."

Miles nodded.

"Dad told me not to tell him anything about what happened today."

Miles’ expression briefly changed.

"Alright."

Evelyn looked toward him.

Miles asked,

"How about lunch?"

She blinked.

"It’s already time."

Miles continued,

"Did you eat anything after waking up?"

"Not really."

"Then lunch."

Evelyn nodded.

"Let’s have lunch."

Miles smiled.

"Should I invite your brother too?"

Evelyn immediately shook her head.

"No need."

Miles looked amused.

"I’m not here for him anyway."

Miles laughed.

"He said almost the same thing."

Evelyn looked satisfied.

"See?"

"He himself doesn’t have confidence."

Miles shook his head.

"You two are unbelievable."

Evelyn continued,

"I only asked Mom if I could come to Star Harbor and see the event."

Miles listened.

"She agreed immediately."

"That easily?"

"Yes."

Evelyn smiled.

"I think she also wanted me to get out for a while."

Miles asked,

"Are you interested in business?"

Evelyn immediately answered,

"Not at all."

Miles laughed.

"That was fast."

"I just wanted some air."

She looked outside.

"Somewhere different."

Then her expression softened.

"And apparently..."

"I created trouble for everyone instead."

Miles’ smile disappeared.

"Forget about it."

Evelyn looked toward him.

Miles continued,

"It isn’t your fault."

She remained quiet.

"It shouldn’t have happened in the first place."

Evelyn frowned.

"Why are you saying it like it’s your fault?"

Miles glanced at her.

"You still play the role of General sometimes."

Evelyn continued,

"But maintaining law and order is the government’s responsibility."

"Not yours."

Miles smiled faintly.

Evelyn added,

"So let’s not talk about it."

Miles nodded.

"Agreed."

Her mood brightened again.

"It’s my first time in Star Harbor."

Miles looked surprised.

"First time?"

"Yes."

Evelyn smiled.

"And I want to stay for a while."

Miles nodded.

"How long?"

"My homeschooling teacher is on leave."

Miles glanced toward her.

"For personal reasons."

She smiled.

"So I have all the time."

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"You still do homeschooling?"

Evelyn looked toward him.

"It’s my own choice."

Miles thought about it.

Then asked,

"How do you make friends?"

Evelyn looked almost offended.

"I have friends."

"I didn’t say you don’t."

Miles smiled.

"I’m just curious."

Evelyn thought.

"Mostly children of Mom’s friends."

"Business partners."

"People we know."

Miles nodded slowly.

"How does that go?"

"We hang out."

"Sometimes they come over."

"Sometimes we go outside."

Miles glanced toward her.

"I hope you don’t spend all your time gaming like your brother."

Evelyn immediately shook her head.

"No."

"Definitely not."

She crossed her arms.

"We actually go outside."

Miles laughed.

"What do you do?"

"Outdoor activities."

"Shopping."

"Sports."

"Sometimes events."

Miles smiled.

"You two are complete opposites."

Evelyn sighed.

"He’s just lazy."

Miles nodded seriously.

"Makes sense."

Evelyn laughed.

A few minutes later, Miles turned the car into another road.

Then slowed.

"We’re here."

Evelyn looked outside.

A familiar sign came into view.

She read it.

"The Atelier."

Then she looked toward Miles.

"Isn’t this owned by your family?"

Miles looked surprised.

"You know?"

Evelyn nodded.

"Dad told me."

Miles smiled.

"What exactly did he tell you?"

"He kept talking about the food."

Miles laughed.

"He liked it that much?"

"Apparently."

Evelyn smiled.

"He mentioned it more than once."

Miles pulled into the entrance.

"Then let’s go."

The car stopped.

A security employee approached almost immediately.

Miles handed over the key.

The man gave a small respectful bow.

"Good afternoon, Boss."

Miles nodded.

"Good afternoon."

Then added,

"Can you ask someone to check the tire pressure?"

The security employee immediately nodded.

"Of course."

Miles continued,

"Something felt slightly off while driving."

"I’ll arrange it."

"Thanks."

Miles stepped away.

Evelyn watched the interaction.

Then followed him inside.

After a few steps, she said,

"Even your employees are cheerful."

Miles looked toward her.

Evelyn continued,

"People around us are usually..."

She paused.

"Like robots."

Miles smiled.

"That’s a bit harsh."

"You know what I mean."

Miles nodded.

"I prefer professionalism."

"But not the kind where people are tied down by rules for every little thing."

He looked toward the staff.

"If discipline is part of the culture, people follow it themselves."

Evelyn studied him.

"You are just a good boss."

Miles looked toward her suspiciously.

Then stopped walking for a second.

"I’ve been noticing something."

Evelyn blinked.

"What?"

"Are you studying me?"

She looked embarrassed.

Then laughed.

"Sorry."

Miles waited.

"I kind of am."

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Evelyn smiled.

"I want to be like you."

Miles froze for half a second.

"Like me?"

"Yes."

Before he could ask anything else, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Welcome, Evelyn."

They turned.

Daniel stood nearby.

A warm smile on his face.

Evelyn immediately smiled.

"Hello, Uncle Daniel."

Daniel stepped closer.

"How was the journey?"

"It was good."

Evelyn replied,

"I was excited the whole way."

Daniel smiled.

"Glad to hear that."

He gestured toward the stairs.

"I saved a good space for you."

"Quiet."

"No crowd."

Evelyn looked pleased.

"Thank you so much, Uncle."

Daniel smiled.

"Come."

Miles and Evelyn followed.

They were taken upstairs.

The private space there had been renovated recently.

Large windows stretched from the floor almost to the ceiling.

Soft natural light entered from the side.

Plants were placed near the windows.

Abstract paintings decorated the walls.

The furniture was modern but comfortable.

The space felt separate from the rest of the busy restaurant.

Evelyn looked around.

"This is beautiful."

Miles smiled.

She walked closer to the window.

"It’s so spacious."

Then looked around again.

She turned.

"This feels completely different from downstairs."

Miles nodded.

"New renovation."

"Chloe’s idea."

Evelyn smiled.

"Perks of having a designer wife?"

Miles smiled proudly.

"She is very creative."

Evelyn nodded.

"I can tell."

Miles gestured toward the seating area.

"Have a seat."

Evelyn sat.

Miles joined her.

Before either could say much...

Another voice came from the entrance.

"Look who we have."

Evelyn turned.

Elena entered wearing an apron.

A smile appeared on her face.

"Welcome, dear."

Evelyn immediately stood.

"Thank you, Aunt Elena."

Elena walked closer.

"Nice to see you again."

Evelyn smiled.

"You look pretty in the apron."

Elena’s smile widened.

"Such a well behaved young lady."

Miles looked toward Evelyn.

Then toward his mother.

Elena continued,

"I came to tell you one thing."

Evelyn became curious.

"You are not ordering anything."

Evelyn blinked.

Miles already knew what was happening.

Elena continued,

"I am preparing food for you."

"A little bit of everything."

Evelyn stared.

Miles quietly looked away.

Elena added,

"Miles sent me a message before you arrived."

Evelyn immediately looked toward him.

Miles smiled innocently.

Evelyn turned back.

"Really?"

Then quickly,

"You don’t have to do that much, Aunt."

Elena waved one hand.

"Of course I do."

Evelyn looked worried.

"The restaurant looks busy."

"It is fine."

"And..."

Evelyn laughed.

"I cannot eat everything in one day."

"What about the other days?"

Elena laughed.

"Don’t worry about other days."

She gently touched Evelyn’s shoulder.

"This is your first time here."

"Consider it a welcome treat."

Evelyn smiled.

Elena leaned closer slightly.

"Sometimes..."

She looked toward Miles.

"...you have to be like your brother."

Then she winked.

Evelyn immediately understood.

She laughed.

"Thank you."

"I’m excited."

Elena smiled.

Then looked toward Miles.

"Son."

Miles looked up.

"Yes?"

"Make sure our guest doesn’t feel uncomfortable."

Miles sighed.

"I know, Mom."

He looked toward Evelyn.

"I’ve known her since she was a kid."

Elena smiled.

"That doesn’t mean you can ignore her."

"I won’t."

Elena nodded.

"Good."

Then turned toward Evelyn.

"I’ll be right back."

Evelyn smiled.

"Thank you, Aunt."

Elena left.

For a few seconds, Evelyn watched the doorway.

Then looked toward Miles.

"She is so sweet."

Miles smiled.

"Yes."

Evelyn looked around again.

Then suddenly asked,

"Where are Hope and Asher?"

Miles checked the time.

"They should be coming back from school soon."

Evelyn’s expression brightened.

"Really?"

Miles nodded.

"You’ll see them at home."

Evelyn smiled.

Miles continued,

"Actually..."

"Do you want to go home after lunch?"

"Your room is ready."

Evelyn looked toward him.

"Your luggage has already been sent there."

"You can rest."

Her expression relaxed immediately.

"I’d love to."

Miles smiled.

"Good."

Evelyn looked out through the large windows again.

Star Harbor stretched beyond the glass.

For the first time since landing...

There were no agents standing two steps behind her.

No rushed instructions.

No frightened voices.

No confusion.

Just a quiet room.

A familiar face sitting across from her.

And the smell of food coming from downstairs.

For now...

That was enough.

....

[A/N: Wishing you the happiest birthday, JDragonBlade ^_~]