Chapter 462: The Things We Carry With Us!!

Evelyn sat across from Miles, enjoying the food Elena had prepared for her.

Several dishes covered the table.

Some were familiar.

Others were things she had never tried before.

Every few minutes, Evelyn discovered another flavor that made her pause and appreciate it.

"This is really good."

She took another bite.

Miles smiled.

"You’ve said that four times already."

Evelyn looked at him.

"Because it is."

"Fair enough."

She pointed toward another dish.

"Did Aunt Elena make this too?"

"Most of it."

Evelyn looked genuinely impressed.

"Does she always cook this much?"

Miles chuckled.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Unfortunately?"

"Wait until you’ve stayed at Pearl Villa for a few days. You’ll understand."

Evelyn laughed.

Before Miles could say anything else, his phone vibrated on the table.

He glanced at the screen.

Chloe.

He picked it up.

"Hello?"

Chloe’s cheerful voice came through.

"I have news for you."

Miles leaned back.

"Tell me."

"Great Aunt Nora is finally available."

Miles immediately became interested.

"Really?"

"Yes. She confirmed the invitation."

Chloe continued, "She’ll be joining us at Launchpad tomorrow."

A satisfied smile appeared on Miles’ face.

"Perfect timing."

He had been waiting for Nora Connor’s response since asking Chloe to send the invitation.

"Did she mention when she’ll arrive?"

"Her travel arrangements are being finalized."

"Alright. I’ll ask someone to arrange her pickup."

"Okay."

Chloe paused.

Then asked casually, "Having lunch?"

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"How do you know?"

"Just intuition."

He laughed softly.

"That’s becoming a very convenient answer."

"Because I’m usually right."

Miles smiled.

"I’m at the Atelier with Evie."

Chloe immediately sounded surprised.

"She arrived?"

"Yes."

Miles looked across the table.

Evelyn was carefully examining another dish before taking a bite.

He smiled.

"And apparently, she’s completely lost in the food."

Evelyn looked up.

"Brother!"

Miles chuckled.

Chloe laughed on the other end.

"Mom’s magic."

"Exactly."

"Well, enjoy your lunch. Take care of our guest."

Miles sighed.

"Why does everyone keep telling me that?"

Chloe sounded amused.

"Because she’s special."

Miles looked toward Evelyn.

"Right. A VIP."

Evelyn smiled proudly.

Chloe chuckled.

Miles asked, "Have you eaten?"

"Yes. We’re already done with lunch."

"Where are you?"

"My office. I’m resting for a while."

Miles immediately replied, "Good. Keep resting."

"I know."

"Don’t start working again just because you get bored."

Chloe laughed.

"Look who’s talking."

Miles decided not to argue.

"Alright. See you later."

"See you."

The call ended.

Miles placed his phone beside the plate.

When he looked up, Evelyn was watching him with a curious expression.

"What?"

She tilted her head.

"Are you two a normal couple?"

Miles blinked.

"Normal in what way?"

Evelyn rested her fork against the plate.

"I’ve seen quite a few couples."

"Okay?"

"And they can’t seem to end a phone call without saying ’I love you’ at least once."

Miles almost choked on the water he had just taken.

He coughed.

Evelyn immediately smiled.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No."

Miles put the glass down.

"That’s a rather unexpected question."

"I’m curious."

Miles thought for a moment.

"Well, that’s something private."

Evelyn listened.

"Some people like expressing affection openly. Some say it every time they call each other. There’s nothing wrong with that."

He smiled faintly.

"But Chloe and I prefer keeping certain things between ourselves."

Evelyn nodded slowly.

Miles continued, "Saying ’I love you’ at the end of every call shouldn’t become a requirement to prove that I still love her."

"Because she already knows?"

"Exactly."

He glanced toward his phone.

"And I know how she feels too."

Evelyn smiled.

"That’s actually sweet."

Miles looked suspiciously at her.

"Why are you suddenly interested in this?"

She shrugged.

Miles narrowed his eyes.

"Still trying to become like me?"

"Why not?"

Miles laughed.

Evelyn leaned forward slightly.

"Then tell me something."

"What?"

"How did you meet her?"

Miles became quiet for a moment.

The question brought back memories that seemed both distant and strangely close.

He looked toward Evelyn.

"You know about my previous life, right?"

Her expression became more serious.

"Enough."

Miles nodded.

"I met her during an assignment."

Evelyn immediately became interested.

"An assignment?"

"Yes."

Miles looked toward the window.

"At the time, I had a job to do. Later, I discovered that Chloe was the daughter of someone I had been assigned to monitor and protect."

Evelyn slowly lowered her fork.

"Wait."

Miles looked back.

"So you saved her father, and then she fell in love with you?"

She smiled.

"That kind of story?"

Miles shook his head.

"Opposite."

Evelyn blinked.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"We fell for each other before I learned the connection."

Her eyes widened.

"Really?"

Miles nodded.

"She didn’t know about my background either."

Evelyn stared at him for a moment.

Then smiled.

"That sounds even more romantic."

Miles chuckled.

"It didn’t stay that way."

His expression softened.

"The assignment became complicated."

Evelyn’s smile slowly faded.

"Things went wrong."

Miles paused.

"And we lost her father."

The room became quieter.

Evelyn stopped eating.

Miles continued, his voice calm but thoughtful.

"I blamed myself."

He looked down at his hands.

"After that, I decided to leave."

Evelyn watched him carefully.

"Because of what happened?"

"Partly."

Miles took a slow breath.

"But mostly because the world I belonged to was different."

"Dangerous?"

"Very."

He looked toward her.

"I thought staying away would protect her."

Evelyn lowered her eyes.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then she looked up again.

"Brother Miles."

"Hmm?"

"I don’t think everything that happened was necessarily your fault."

Miles remained quiet.

Evelyn continued, "I don’t know all the details, and I won’t pretend I understand what you went through."

She gave him a gentle smile.

"But I’m glad things eventually worked out."

Miles looked at her.

"Now you’re both married."

"You’re happy."

"And everyone who cares about you is happy too."

Miles smiled.

"Thank you, Evie."

She smiled back.

He studied her for a moment.

"You’ve really grown up."

Evelyn laughed softly.

"I’m sixteen, Brother. I’m not that little anymore."

"Apparently."

Miles chuckled.

Evelyn’s expression gradually changed.

She looked toward the window for a moment.

Then said, "Actually..."

Miles waited.

"I’ve always wanted to be like you."

He blinked.

"Me?"

She nodded.

"Yes."

Miles looked genuinely confused.

"Why?"

Evelyn smiled faintly.

"Do you remember when Dad brought you home?"

Miles thought back.

She continued, "Dad asked you to stay with us for a few days."

Miles nodded slowly.

"I remember."

Evelyn looked down at her plate.

"You were really quiet."

Miles smiled.

"So were you."

"Exactly."

She looked up.

"That’s why I remember it so clearly."

Evelyn leaned back.

"You barely spoke to anyone at first."

"You were polite, but you didn’t say much."

"And yet..."

She smiled.

"It didn’t take long for you to become part of our family."

Miles remained silent.

Evelyn continued, "You started playing video games with Nick."

"He wouldn’t leave me alone."

She laughed.

"That’s normal for him."

Miles smiled.

"You even helped Mom with some of her work."

"And whenever Nick made a mess..."

Evelyn shook her head.

"You somehow ended up cleaning it."

Miles laughed quietly.

"That sounds familiar."

"But there’s one thing I remember more than anything else."

Her expression became softer.

Miles looked toward her.

"What?"

Evelyn took a breath.

"Do you remember when Nick made me fall from my bicycle?"

Miles nodded.

"I remember that."

Evelyn smiled.

"I was so angry."

"You had every reason to be."

"Nick was being annoying."

Miles chuckled.

"Some things never change."

Evelyn laughed.

Then continued, "But you didn’t laugh at me."

Miles became quiet.

"You walked over."

"You held out your hand."

"And you helped me get up."

She looked toward him.

"You even cleaned my elbow and applied medicine."

Miles nodded slowly.

He remembered the incident.

But he had never imagined that such a small moment would remain with Evelyn for so many years.

She continued, "Nick got scolded really badly afterward."

Miles laughed.

"Yes. I remember that part too."

"But you still stood beside him."

Evelyn’s expression became thoughtful.

"You helped me even though I wasn’t someone you knew very well."

"And you didn’t abandon Nick just because he’d done something wrong."

She paused.

"That was the first time I met someone like that."

Miles looked at her.

For once, he didn’t immediately know what to say.

Evelyn continued, her voice becoming quieter.

"You were strong."

"But you were kind too."

"You could have ignored everything."

"Instead, you helped."

She smiled.

"And after that, I wanted to understand how someone could be like you."

Miles remained silent.

"So I started studying more."

"Reading."

"Trying to understand people."

"The world."

"Why people do what they do."

She looked toward him.

"Of course, I didn’t become you."

A small laugh escaped her.

"But I think I became better than before."

Miles’ expression softened.

Evelyn looked down.

"When you left."

Her voice became quieter.

"You rarely came back."

"But I didn’t forget."

She looked into his eyes.

"Not the bicycle."

"Not the medicine."

"Not the way you helped Nick afterward."

"And not you."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Evelyn seemed to realize how much she had said.

Her face became slightly embarrassed.

"Sorry."

Miles blinked.

"For what?"

"I said so much."

She smiled awkwardly.

"I didn’t plan to."

Miles shook his head.

Evelyn continued, "But it’s still true."

She looked toward him.

"Thank you for being my inspiration."

Her smile became sincere.

"I think I’m a better person because of you."

Miles smiled.

"I’m glad, Evie."

Evelyn looked relieved.

"Really?"

"Really."

He nodded.

"And thank you for telling me."

Evelyn smiled.

Miles continued, "But you don’t have to become like me."

She looked toward him.

"Be yourself."

He smiled.

"From what I can see, you’re already doing pretty well."

Evelyn lowered her eyes with a shy smile.

Before the conversation could continue, the door opened.

"Dessert time!"

Both turned.

Elena entered carrying a beautiful serving tray.

Evelyn immediately sat straighter.

Her eyes moved toward the desserts.

Then widened.

"Cannoli!"

Elena laughed.

"Looks like I chose correctly."

Evelyn looked delighted.

"You made cannoli?"

"Of course."

Elena carefully placed the tray on the table.

"Miles told me you like them."

Evelyn immediately looked toward him.

"You remember?"

Miles smiled.

But didn’t say anything.

Elena started arranging the plates.

"I made plenty."

She placed a serving in front of Evelyn.

"Tell me if you want more."

Evelyn looked at the desserts.

The crisp pastry shells were filled with a creamy filling, beautifully arranged and freshly prepared.

She smiled.

"This is already more than enough, Aunt."

Elena laughed.

"Don’t worry about that."

Evelyn shook her head.

"If I gain too much weight, Mom will start asking questions."

Miles chuckled.

Elena smiled.

"Then think of this as a vacation."

Evelyn looked toward her.

"You’re allowed to enjoy yourself."

She winked.

"And nobody here is going to report how much dessert you ate to your mother."

Evelyn laughed.

"Thank you."

She picked up a piece.

Took a bite.

Then closed her eyes for a second.

Elena watched her reaction.

"Good?"

Evelyn nodded immediately.

"Really good."

Miles smiled.

"Mom, you might have another regular guest."

Elena laughed.

"She’s always welcome."

She then looked toward Miles.

"Son."

"Yes?"

"I packed some food."

"Don’t forget to take it with you."

Miles sighed.

"Mom, you know we have food at Pearl Villa too."

Elena gave him a look.

"And?"

Miles smiled.

"Nothing."

"Good."

Elena adjusted her apron.

"Daniel already left to pick up Hope and Asher from school."

Miles nodded.

"Alright."

He looked toward her.

"Don’t you want to rest a little?"

Elena smiled.

"I will."

"Promise?"

She laughed.

"Yes, son."

Then explained, "Some new kitchen staff joined for training today."

Miles became interested.

"How’s that going?"

"Good."

Elena smiled.

"But I wanted to personally teach them a few dishes."

She looked toward Evelyn.

"And because Evie came today, I got to demonstrate quite a few things."

Evelyn blinked.

"Did I help?"

Elena nodded.

"Of course."

Evelyn looked confused.

"I don’t think I really did anything."

Elena laughed softly.

"You enjoyed the food."

"That’s enough."

Evelyn smiled.

Elena continued, "Don’t worry about it, dear."

Miles looked toward his mother.

"Now get some rest too."

Elena nodded.

"Certainly."

Then she looked toward Evelyn.

"Enjoy your dessert."

"Thank you, Aunt."

Elena smiled and left the room.

For a while, the only sounds were the quiet conversation between Miles and Evelyn and the distant activity downstairs.

Outside the windows, the afternoon continued.

But somewhere far away, another part of Miles’ plan was approaching a decisive moment.

...

Frankfurt International Airport.

4:00 AM.

The airport remained active despite the early hour.

Flights arrived and departed.

Passengers moved through the terminals.

Airport personnel guided travelers toward their respective gates.

And in one of the sections reserved for passengers requiring medical assistance...

A small group moved through the corridor.

At the front walked a young woman.

Her appearance was that of Thea.

But beneath the disguise was Aerin.

Behind her, several men pushed a wheelchair.

An elderly man sat in it.

His eyes were closed.

His head rested slightly to one side.

The man looked weak.

Tired.

Almost completely unaware of his surroundings.

But the appearance was a carefully constructed illusion.

The man was Ren.

Disguised as Timothy Sterling.

One of the men pushing the wheelchair grunted quietly.

"This old man is heavy."

Another looked toward the sleeping figure.

"Seriously."

He adjusted his grip.

"He even has muscles."

The first man frowned.

"At his age?"

Aerin stopped walking.

Slowly...

She turned.

Her cold gaze fell on the two men.

Both immediately straightened.

The first lowered his head.

"Sorry, Princess."

Aerin stared at them for another second.

Then turned forward.

"Keep moving."

"Yes, Princess."

The wheelchair continued through the corridor.

Aerin checked the documents in her hand.

Passports.

Travel authorization.

Medical records.

Everything had been prepared for the elderly man they were supposedly transporting.

She looked toward the accompanying personnel.

"Complete the boarding procedures through the medical assistance section."

One of the men nodded.

"Understood."

Aerin continued, "We’ve already lost two days getting his medical information entered into the German medical system."

Her tone became sharper.

"I don’t want another problem."

The man lowered his head.

"Of course, Princess."

Aerin glanced toward the departure information.

"The flight leaves in one hour."

"Everything is arranged."

"Make sure it stays that way."

"Understood."

The men continued pushing the wheelchair.

Aerin walked beside them.

Her eyes briefly moved toward Ren.

He remained perfectly still.

The disguise was impressive.

The facial structure.

The hair.

The wrinkles.

Even the way his body rested in the wheelchair.

Anyone unfamiliar with the truth would have seen an elderly man being transported under medical supervision.

Aerin looked toward the nearest man.

"Prepare another sedative before the flight."

He immediately nodded.

"Yes, Princess."

"I don’t want this old man waking up halfway through."

Her expression became cold.

"If he creates trouble on the aircraft, our entire plan could be ruined."

The men became more attentive.

Aerin continued, "Father is waiting for us."

"Don’t make him wait because of your mistakes."

"Understood, Princess."

The wheelchair moved toward the boarding section.

Ren remained motionless.

And Aerin continued playing the role of Thea.

The woman WEB believed was bringing Timothy Sterling directly into their hands.

...

Back at the Atelier

Miles’ phone vibrated.

He had just finished his dessert when the notification appeared.

He glanced down.

Charles.

A short message had arrived.

Ren and Aerin have departed for Montenegro. WEB is currently operating from there.

Miles read it once.

Then again.

A slow smile appeared on his face.

"Got them."

Evelyn looked up from her plate.

"Got what?"

Miles immediately looked toward her.

"Ahh..."

He placed the phone down.

"Nothing important."

Evelyn narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Really?"

Miles smiled.

"Really."

Then he looked toward her plate.

"Done eating?"

Evelyn leaned back.

She placed one hand over her stomach.

"I’m so full."

Miles chuckled.

"Good."

He stood.

"Then let’s go home."

Evelyn smiled and stood as well.

"Okay."