Chapter 455: Things are moving quickly!!

The Atelier, Star Harbor.

NULL leaned back in his chair and placed both hands over his stomach.

"I am full."

Miles looked at him.

NULL sighed happily.

"The food was so delicious."

He looked toward the empty plates.

"It’s been a while since I ate real food."

Miles raised an eyebrow.

NULL continued,

"Looks like this is one of the perks of being normal."

Miles smiled faintly.

"Certainly."

NULL looked toward him.

"This is a serious food upgrade for you too."

Miles frowned.

"You say it like I used to eat trash."

NULL immediately started counting on his fingers.

"Preserved ration packets."

"Protein bars."

"Whatever animal happened to be unfortunate enough to cross the camp."

"Wild meat with no seasoning."

Miles stared.

NULL smiled.

"Did I miss anything?"

"Shut up."

NULL laughed.

He picked up the napkin beside him.

"Alright."

Then he looked toward the restaurant.

"Let me pay for this."

Miles raised an eyebrow.

NULL continued,

"Apparently my new boss is going to give me a salary now."

Miles smiled.

"If you don’t want one..."

NULL immediately sat straighter.

"I want it."

"I definitely want it."

He nodded quickly.

"I’m sorry, Boss."

Miles’ smile widened.

"You calling me Boss is strangely satisfying."

NULL sighed.

"Of course it is."

He looked around.

"Now let me at least settle the bill."

Miles leaned back.

"Try."

NULL narrowed his eyes.

"What does that mean?"

Miles didn’t answer.

NULL raised one hand.

"Excuse me."

A waiter nearby immediately approached.

"Yes, sir?"

"Can I get the bill?"

The waiter looked toward Miles.

Miles casually turned his face away as if he didn’t know anything.

The waiter paused.

Then nodded.

"Right away, sir."

NULL looked suspiciously at Miles.

"Are you a regular here?"

Miles replied casually,

"My favorite place to eat."

"After home."

NULL sighed.

"I hope the bill isn’t my life’s earnings."

Miles smiled.

"Depends on your life’s earnings."

NULL immediately looked offended.

Before the waiter returned...

Someone else approached.

Daniel.

He looked toward the table.

Then toward Miles.

Then toward NULL.

"Is there a problem?"

NULL immediately shook his head.

"Problem?"

"No."

"I just asked for the bill."

Daniel looked toward Miles.

Miles raised both hands.

"Don’t look at me."

He pointed toward NULL.

"He said he would pay."

Daniel looked back toward NULL.

Then smiled.

"Don’t worry."

"It’s on the house."

NULL blinked.

"On the house?"

Miles sighed.

"Father."

"You are going to run out of business like this."

NULL froze.

His head slowly turned toward Miles.

"Father?"

Daniel smiled.

"Guests are guests."

Then looked toward Miles.

"Stop playing with him."

Miles chuckled.

"Sorry."

NULL looked between both of them.

Daniel pulled a nearby chair slightly but didn’t sit.

"What is your name, young man?"

NULL opened his mouth.

"NU..."

He stopped himself.

NULL corrected smoothly,

"Derek Huxley."

Miles’ expression changed slightly.

NULL continued,

"I was just hired by Sterling Security."

"Head of Cyber Department."

Miles glanced at him again.

That name had come out a little too naturally.

Daniel nodded.

"Mr. Huxley."

He extended a hand.

"I’m Daniel."

NULL shook it.

"Nice to meet you."

Daniel smiled warmly.

"Welcome aboard."

"Leading a department at your age is quite an achievement."

NULL gave an awkward smile.

"Thank you."

Daniel looked toward the plates.

"How did you like the food?"

NULL’s expression immediately brightened.

"It was amazing."

"Honestly."

"I haven’t eaten this well in a very long time."

Daniel smiled.

"Glad to hear that."

NULL continued,

"I’ll definitely come here often."

Daniel laughed.

"You’re welcome anytime."

He looked toward Miles.

"I’ll leave you two alone."

NULL nodded.

"Thank you, Mr. Daniel."

Daniel walked away.

For a few seconds...

Miles said nothing.

He simply stared at NULL.

NULL stared back.

Then Miles asked,

"Is that your real name?"

NULL paused.

"Derek Huxley?"

"Yes."

Miles kept looking at him.

NULL nodded.

"That is actually my name."

Miles suddenly laughed.

NULL frowned.

"What?"

"You have an odd name."

NULL looked offended.

"What is wrong with Derek Huxley?"

"Nothing."

Miles smiled.

"It’s a good name."

NULL folded his arms.

"NULL is cool too."

Miles nodded.

"It is."

NULL looked around the restaurant again.

Then toward Daniel.

Then back toward Miles.

"I should probably be more surprised."

"About?"

"Sterlings owning Star Harbor."

Miles smiled.

"We don’t own Star Harbor."

NULL gave him a look.

Miles laughed.

"You’ll never find out."

NULL sighed.

"Alright."

Before he could say anything else...

A voice came from behind them.

"Done eating without me?"

Both turned.

Nick stood near the table.

Two Secret Service agents behind him.

NULL froze again.

His mouth opened.

"Ni..."

Nick looked toward him.

NULL tried again.

"Ni..."

Nick raised an eyebrow.

"Nicholas Abbott."

NULL finally forced the name out.

Nick sighed.

"Only Nick."

He pointed toward NULL.

"Not Ni... ni..."

Miles started laughing.

NULL looked embarrassed.

Miles glanced toward Nick.

"Looks like the prince finally woke up."

Nick pulled out a chair.

"Don’t start."

He sat.

"I’m hungry."

The two Secret Service agents moved a short distance away.

Miles looked toward him.

"You’re late."

"We already finished."

Nick sighed.

"Fine."

"I’ll order a salad."

Miles stared at him.

"Seriously?"

Nick looked innocent.

"You came all the way to Atelier just to eat salad?"

"You could have asked the staff to make one at home."

Nick leaned back.

"And how would I get a nice social media picture?"

Miles frowned.

Nick continued,

"Restaurant ambience."

"Good lighting."

"Nice background."

Miles stared at him.

Nick smiled.

"Image matters."

Miles sighed.

"Well..."

"I won’t complain."

Nick immediately pointed at him.

"Why?"

Miles smiled.

"We’re getting a free promotion."

Nick laughed.

"Hehe."

"Caught you."

Then he finally noticed NULL was still staring at him.

Nick looked toward Miles.

"What’s wrong with this guy?"

NULL blinked.

Nick looked back at him.

"You alright?"

Miles replied before NULL could.

"Ignore him."

"He’s just getting too many surprises today."

NULL took a deep breath.

"I might actually have a heart attack."

Nick laughed.

"Calm down, man."

He gestured around.

"We’re all normal human beings here."

NULL looked toward Miles.

Then toward Nick.

"Right."

"I’ll try."

Nick smiled.

"Good."

A waiter approached.

Nick ordered.

Then he looked toward Miles.

"So..."

"What are you doing today?"

Miles asked,

"Why?"

"I’m bored."

Nick sighed.

"I have no Launchpad schedule."

"No stream scheduled."

"Nothing."

Miles leaned back.

"Well..."

"We’re doing something this evening."

Nick’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Let me join."

Miles looked at him carefully.

Nick waited.

Miles asked,

"Can you walk?"

Nick stared.

"Yes."

"Can you act?"

Nick looked offended.

"Look who you’re asking."

He pointed toward himself.

"I’m a celebrity."

Miles smiled.

"Then come with us."

Nick nodded.

"Done."

Miles added,

"After you finish your salad."

Nick rolled his eyes.

NULL remained quiet.

Then suddenly...

One of the Secret Service agents stepped forward.

The second agent moved behind NULL.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Nick looked confused.

"What’s wrong?"

The first agent stared directly at NULL.

Then looked toward Miles.

"Mr. Sterling."

Miles remained calm.

"Yes?"

The agent pointed slightly toward NULL.

"This man."

NULL’s fingers tightened around the edge of his chair.

Miles asked,

"What about him?"

The agent’s expression remained serious.

"He’s flagged in our system."

NULL stopped breathing for a moment.

The second agent stood directly behind him now.

NULL looked toward Miles.

Miles didn’t move.

The first agent continued,

"High-risk individual."

"Potentially dangerous."

NULL swallowed.

Nick looked between everyone.

"What is going on?"

Miles remained completely relaxed.

Then looked toward the agent.

"Ask your department to check again."

The agent paused.

Then gave a short nod.

"Understood."

He touched his comms.

NULL slowly looked toward Miles.

His eyes clearly said one thing.

You already cleared me?

Miles ignored him.

A few seconds passed.

The agent listened.

Then his posture relaxed.

He stepped back.

"Apologies."

NULL stared.

The agent continued,

"He’s clear."

The second agent also stepped away.

NULL finally released the breath he’d been holding.

Nick looked toward the agents.

"These guys are really trouble."

Miles smiled.

NULL looked completely stunned.

Only a few hours ago...

Several agencies would have detained him the moment they confirmed his identity.

Now...

A Secret Service flag had disappeared with one verification call.

Miles noticed his expression.

"Welcome to normal life."

NULL looked at him.

"If this is normal..."

"I’ve been doing life wrong."

Nick laughed.

Soon...

His salad arrived.

Nick took pictures before touching the food.

One with the plate.

One with the restaurant behind him.

One where he pretended not to notice the camera.

Miles watched him.

"You took more pictures than bites."

Nick didn’t even look ashamed.

"Priorities."

NULL smiled.

Conversation continued around the table.

By the time lunch finally ended...

Nick leaned back.

"So where are we going now?"

Miles checked the time.

"We still have hours before tonight."

Nick sighed.

"Then?"

Miles thought.

Then smiled.

"How about the F1 project site?"

Nick’s expression changed instantly.

"Good idea."

He sat straighter.

"Very good idea."

Miles looked toward NULL.

"Derek."

NULL was still getting used to hearing it.

He looked up.

"Yes?"

"Any work?"

NULL stared.

"Me?"

Miles nodded.

"No."

"I’m completely free now."

Nick smiled.

"Then come with us."

NULL nodded.

"Sure."

Miles stood.

"Let’s go."

...

Rhythm Street, Citadel City.

A black car sat parked beside one of the quieter streets.

Inside...

Aerin remained in Thea’s disguise.

Ren sat beside her.

Both had been waiting for some time.

Aerin looked toward the side mirror.

Then toward the street.

"When is he coming?"

Ren remained calm.

"Be patient."

Aerin looked at him.

"I am patient."

Ren raised an eyebrow.

Aerin folded her arms.

"I am."

Ren suddenly lifted one hand.

"Shh."

Aerin stopped.

Ren looked toward the rearview mirror.

"Someone is behind the car."

Aerin’s posture immediately changed.

Both became alert.

A man approached from the rear.

Casual clothes.

Cap pulled low.

Nothing obviously suspicious.

He came toward the passenger side.

Then knocked lightly on the window.

Aerin looked toward Ren.

Ren nodded.

She slowly lowered the window.

The man didn’t speak.

He simply dropped an envelope through the opening.

Then turned.

And walked away.

Aerin immediately touched her comms.

"He just left."

She looked toward the mirror.

"We need to follow him."

Charles’ voice came through.

"Don’t worry."

"Someone already is."

Aerin smiled faintly.

"Good."

Ren picked up the envelope.

"He left instructions."

Aerin nodded.

"Open it."

Ren carefully opened the flap.

Several papers were inside.

A handwritten note.

An address.

A number.

Aerin took pictures immediately.

Ren spoke into comms.

"Sending images of the contents."

Charles replied,

"Much appreciated."

Aerin pulled out the handwritten sheet.

The writing was messy.

Fast.

Clearly written in a hurry.

She frowned.

"Read this."

Ren took the note.

Then began.

"Princess..."

Aerin’s expression became serious.

Ren continued,

"This place is not safe."

"Someone took all our men from here."

"So complete the task outside the district."

"This is the Sterling Estate contact number."

Ren paused.

"Call them."

"Tell them you’re contacting them from Rhythm Street."

"And that you have important intelligence for Timothy Sterling."

Aerin’s eyes narrowed.

Ren continued,

"Invite him to the cafe at the address provided."

He checked the next line.

"The cafe already has our people inside."

Aerin looked toward the address.

Ren continued,

"Ask Timothy Sterling to come alone."

Then he paused.

Aerin immediately noticed.

"What?"

Ren kept reading.

"I’m leaving for Star Harbor for an important assignment."

Aerin’s expression changed.

Ren continued,

"Once the task is finished..."

"Come to the location which was decided earlier."

"We’re moving the operation early."

Silence filled the car.

Aerin took the note back.

She read the final lines herself.

Then looked toward Ren.

"This is messed up."

Ren nodded.

Aerin tapped the note.

"They’re speeding something up."

Ren looked toward her.

Aerin touched her comms again.

"Charles."

"I’m here."

"We need to find out what operation they moved forward."

Charles replied immediately,

"Leave that to us."

Aerin looked toward the Sterling Estate number.

Charles continued,

"You follow their plan."

"Do exactly what they expect Thea to do."

Aerin nodded.

"And Mr. Timothy’s safety is the priority."

Aerin smiled faintly.

"Don’t worry."

Her eyes sharpened.

"Nothing will happen to Leader’s grandfather."