Chapter 460: Tourists!!

Maxwell remained silent for a few seconds.

Then his voice came through the phone again.

"I don’t understand what they want with my children."

"I can see a revenge angle."

Maxwell sighed.

"I trust you with the safety of my children, Miles."

Miles looked over the city.

"I assure you, Mr. President."

"Star Harbor will remain a safe haven for them."

Maxwell remained quiet.

Then said,

"First they attacked Vivienne."

Miles froze.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Then my family."

Miles turned away from the window.

"VP?"

June looked up from her tablet.

Miles continued,

"What do you mean?"

There was a short pause.

Maxwell lowered his voice.

"Vice President Horrow was attacked a few days ago."

Miles’ expression changed immediately.

"We kept it secret."

Maxwell continued,

"Very few people know."

"But considering what happened to Evelyn, I don’t think there is any reason to hide it from you anymore."

Miles slowly walked toward the desk.

"Can you explain what happened, sir?"

Maxwell sighed.

"She was returning from her office."

"Heading toward Rosewood."

Miles listened carefully.

"Her convoy was attacked."

Miles’ gaze sharpened.

"What kind of attack?"

"Heavy weapons."

"Automatic weapons."

"Organized."

Maxwell continued,

"Several Secret Service agents were injured."

"The attackers tried to stop the convoy completely."

Miles said nothing.

"Fortunately, the security detail managed to stabilize the situation."

"The attackers withdrew."

Maxwell paused.

"Vivienne was injured too."

Miles’ fingers tightened around the phone.

"Where is she now?"

"In the hospital."

Miles looked toward June.

June had already understood from his expression that something was wrong.

Maxwell continued,

"Her injuries aren’t life threatening."

"But we placed additional protection around her."

Miles slowly nodded.

"This is outrageous."

"It is."

Maxwell’s voice became heavier.

"We couldn’t identify the attackers."

"No confirmed organization."

Miles’ thoughts moved quickly.

Maxwell continued,

"But after what happened today..."

"I’m almost certain it was WEB."

Miles remained silent.

Maxwell added,

"I’m sending people to Star Harbor."

"We need to question the people you captured."

Miles immediately replied,

"Please don’t."

Maxwell stopped.

"What?"

"Don’t send anyone."

There was silence on the other end.

Miles continued,

"Leave this to me."

Maxwell sounded surprised.

"Miles?"

"The Secret Service was involved in Evelyn’s abduction."

Miles’ tone became colder.

"Until we understand how deep this goes..."

"I don’t trust any government authority with those prisoners."

June stared toward him.

Miles continued,

"Please don’t tell anyone that we captured WEB operatives."

"Not your staff."

"Not the Secret Service."

"Not another agency."

Maxwell became quiet.

"This stays between us."

After several seconds, Maxwell asked,

"Are you sure?"

Miles answered without hesitation.

"Yes."

He looked toward the city again.

"We’ll handle them."

"And once Evelyn’s security officer wakes up..."

"I’ll get the complete account from her."

Miles’ voice became more serious.

"Mr. President."

"Yes?"

"I need you to stay safe."

Maxwell didn’t respond.

"Something is wrong."

Miles continued,

"Not just today’s attack."

"Something much bigger."

"If WEB suddenly moved against your daughter..."

"If your security detail was compromised..."

"And if the Vice President was supposedly attacked days earlier..."

He paused.

"We may be looking at something that has already started."

Maxwell remained silent.

Miles continued,

"I’ll keep you updated."

Maxwell finally asked,

"How can I help?"

Miles answered immediately.

"Send me the complete records of the Secret Service agents assigned to Evelyn."

Maxwell became attentive.

"All of them?"

"Yes."

"Employment history."

"Assignments."

"Financial records."

"Family."

"Recent transfers."

"Anything you are able to provide."

Miles’ eyes hardened.

"I want to know how these moles ended up inside your daughter’s security detail."

Maxwell became completely silent.

Then suddenly...

"No way."

Miles frowned.

"What happened?"

Maxwell’s voice changed.

"The detail."

Miles waited.

"The security team that accompanied Evelyn to Star Harbor..."

Maxwell inhaled sharply.

"They were there that night too."

Miles’ expression became cold.

"The night Vivienne was attacked?"

"Yes."

Maxwell sounded almost stunned by his own realization.

"The same agents were present."

Miles said nothing.

Maxwell continued,

"They failed to protect the Vice President."

"Vivienne was injured."

"And now..."

"They abandoned Evelyn."

Miles closed his eyes for a second.

Pieces were connecting faster.

Maxwell suddenly asked,

"What about the agent you found injured?"

"The woman inside the airport washroom."

Miles replied,

"She’s alive."

"Good."

Maxwell’s voice immediately softened.

"JK."

Miles listened.

"She’s been responsible for Evie for almost ten years."

"Ten?"

"Almost."

Maxwell continued,

"JK practically watched her grow up."

Miles’ expression relaxed slightly.

"If there’s one person in that team I’d trust..."

"It’s her."

Maxwell paused.

"She would die protecting Evelyn."

Miles nodded.

"That’s enough for me."

Maxwell sighed.

Miles continued,

"Leave everything else to us."

"Don’t worry about Nick."

"Don’t worry about Evie."

"They’ll stay safe."

Maxwell’s voice became quieter.

"I want to speak to Evelyn."

"I’ll arrange it."

Miles glanced toward the time.

"I’m going to her now."

"Thank you."

Then Maxwell paused.

His tone changed slightly.

"Son."

Miles became quiet.

"Yes, sir?"

"I’ll prepare the Army."

Miles’ eyes sharpened.

"If you need support..."

"Tell me."

"Any unit."

"Any equipment."

"Any authority you need."

"You’ll have it."

Miles nodded slowly.

"Thank you."

"I’ll let you know."

The call ended.

For several seconds...

Miles simply stood there.

His phone remained in his hand.

June watched him.

"Boss?"

Miles took a deep breath.

Then looked toward her.

"Inform Charles."

June immediately picked up her tablet.

"What should I tell him?"

Miles’ expression hardened.

"Vivienne has gone underground."

June stopped typing.

"What do you mean?"

Miles walked toward the desk.

"There’s no way she’s in that hospital."

June frowned.

"But the President said she was injured."

"Exactly."

Miles looked toward her.

"She created the perfect reason to disappear."

June slowly understood.

Miles continued,

"Her convoy gets attacked."

"Several agents get hurt."

"She gets injured."

"Then she disappears behind hospital security."

He shook his head.

"No."

"Vivienne isn’t lying in some hospital bed."

Miles’ eyes became colder.

"She went underground the same day."

June stared.

June’s expression changed.

"She knows we’re closing in."

"Yes."

Miles nodded.

"Whatever timetable she had..."

"It’s moving forward."

June immediately started typing.

"I’ll update Charles."

"Do it."

Miles turned toward the door.

"And don’t tell Nick anything yet."

June looked up.

"About Evelyn?"

"About any of it."

Miles replied,

"I’ll talk to him when I know more."

June nodded.

"Okay."

"I’m going to see Evelyn."

Miles left.

...

Sterling Security Base.

Not long afterward.

Inside one of the secured medical rooms...

Evelyn Abbott sat near the edge of the bed.

She looked tired.

Still pale.

But awake.

A nurse had already checked her several times.

The effects of the chloroform were gradually fading.

The door opened.

A woman stepped inside.

Small medical patches covered parts of her face.

One side of her forehead had a bandage.

Her movements were slightly slower than usual.

Evelyn immediately stood.

"JK!"

The woman barely had time to react.

Evie rushed toward her.

Then hugged her tightly.

"You’re alright."

JK winced slightly from one of the bruises.

But her arms still wrapped around Evelyn.

"I’m good."

Her voice was tired.

Then she lowered it.

"I’m sorry."

Evie pulled back.

"For what?"

JK looked toward her.

"I couldn’t protect you."

Evie’s expression immediately softened.

"It’s okay."

JK looked ashamed.

Evie continued,

"I’m fine."

Then she looked at the patches on JK’s face.

"I’m just glad you’re safe too."

JK smiled faintly.

"I’m glad you’re safe."

Evie stepped back.

"What do we do now?"

JK looked toward the room.

"For now..."

"We wait for the President’s orders."

She slowly sat.

"We’re secure here."

Evie nodded.

Then immediately asked,

"I want to talk to Mom and Dad."

JK nodded.

"Of course."

Evie continued,

"And where’s Brother?"

Before JK could answer...

A knock came from the open doorway.

"He is safe."

Both turned.

Miles stood there.

He looked toward JK first.

Then toward Evelyn.

"Don’t tell him anything yet."

Evie’s expression brightened.

"Brother Miles."

Miles smiled.

"I’m glad you’re safe."

JK immediately stood straighter.

"General."

Miles looked toward her injuries.

"Doing alright, Agent?"

JK nodded.

"Thanks to all of you."

Then her expression became serious.

"Thank you for saving Evelyn."

Her voice tightened.

"If something happened to her..."

She looked toward Evie.

"I don’t think I could forgive myself."

Miles shook his head.

"You fought."

JK looked toward him.

"That’s enough."

Miles continued,

"We got lucky too."

"Our agents happened to be at the airport."

JK frowned.

"For Evelyn?"

"No."

Miles shook his head.

"They were chasing someone else."

JK’s expression changed.

Miles continued,

"A man who arrived from Citadel."

JK looked surprised.

"The attacker followed from the Citadel?"

Miles nodded slightly.

Then his eyes moved toward Evelyn.

He didn’t want to continue the conversation in front of her.

Miles pulled out his phone.

He walked toward Evie.

"Here."

She looked at it.

"My phone."

Evie accepted it.

"The first contact is your father."

Her expression immediately changed.

"Really?"

"Call him."

Miles smiled.

"He has been waiting."

Evie nodded quickly.

"Thank you."

Miles looked toward JK.

"Come with me."

JK understood.

She looked toward Evelyn.

"I’ll be back."

Evie had already opened the dialer.

Miles and JK stepped out.

...

They walked through the secured corridor.

Sterling Security personnel moved around them.

Monitors.

Encrypted communications.

Agents entering and leaving operations rooms.

JK looked around.

She had worked around the President for years.

She had visited military command centers.

Secret Service facilities.

Government intelligence rooms.

But Sterling Security Base felt different.

Private.

Quiet.

Almost invisible.

And extremely organized.

Miles entered the main war room.

JK followed.

Charles turned from one of the large screens.

"Boss."

Miles walked toward him.

"Did you receive the details?"

Charles smiled faintly.

"We found them."

Miles stopped.

"Already?"

Charles gestured toward the largest display.

Images appeared.

Street cameras.

Traffic feeds.

Store entrances.

Parking lots.

Different angles.

Several men and women.

JK’s expression immediately changed.

Her eyes became cold.

"They’re them."

Miles looked toward her.

"All of them?"

JK stepped closer.

Her eyes moved across the faces.

"Yes."

"These are the agents assigned to us."

Charles changed the display.

One image showed several of them entering a convenience store.

Another showed someone carrying bags.

Another showed food.

Water.

Basic supplies.

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Convenience store?"

Charles nodded.

"Yes, Boss."

"They bought enough supplies to hide for weeks."

Miles smirked.

"They really thought they could disappear in Star Harbor?"

Charles chuckled.

"Apparently."

He looked toward Miles.

"What do we do with them?"

Miles stared at the screen.

Then said calmly,

"What do we do?"

Charles waited.

Miles’ expression turned cold.

"They supported terrorists."

JK looked toward him.

Miles continued,

"Even if we shot them..."

"No one would ask a question."

Charles blinked.

"Boss?"

Miles looked at him.

Then smiled.

"I’m kidding."

Charles sighed.

JK didn’t look amused.

Miles returned his attention to the screen.

"Check their backgrounds."

"Completely."

Charles nodded.

Miles continued,

"After the last cleanup..."

"I don’t believe this many Secret Service agents suddenly decided to betray the President."

JK’s jaw tightened.

Miles continued,

"Money."

"Families."

"Threats."

"Blackmail."

"Find out."

Charles nodded.

"Understood."

JK immediately said,

"Even if they were blackmailed..."

Both men looked toward her.

JK continued,

"They had no right."

Her eyes remained fixed on the screen.

"They were assigned to Evelyn."

"They knew their duty."

Miles remained quiet.

JK continued,

"They left her."

"If Sterling Security hadn’t been there..."

Her hands tightened.

Miles spoke calmly.

"Agent."

JK looked toward him.

"Calm down."

Her jaw remained tense.

Miles continued,

"They tried to hurt Evie."

His own eyes hardened.

"My blood is boiling too."

JK stared.

Miles continued,

"But this is bigger than them."

He glanced toward the display.

"They may be traitors."

"They may be victims."

"They may be both."

JK remained silent.

Miles looked directly at her.

"I’m going to tell you something."

JK waited.

"Something even the President doesn’t know."

Her expression changed.

"What do you mean?"

Miles paused.

Then said,

"Vice President Vivienne Horrow is behind this."

JK froze.

Miles continued,

"She’s been working with WEB."

"From the beginning."

JK stared at him.

"The Vice President?"

"Yes."

She shook her head.

"But..."

Her brows furrowed.

"She was attacked too."

Miles’ expression became cold.

"It was an act."

JK stopped.

Miles continued,

"She’s not the victim."

"She’s part of the operation."

JK stared at him.

Miles continued,

"And now she’s on the run."

"No way."

JK looked genuinely stunned.

Miles nodded.

"This is serious."

JK immediately responded,

"Then we need to tell them."

Miles shook his head.

"We can’t."

"The President needs to know."

"Not yet."

JK looked frustrated.

"Why?"

Miles stepped closer to the screen.

"Because we don’t know who belongs to Vivienne."

JK became quiet.

Miles continued,

"President Abbott spent most of his career watching threats outside Haven."

"The military."

"Border security."

"International intelligence."

"Foreign governments."

"Global organizations."

He looked toward JK.

"Vivienne worked differently."

JK slowly understood.

Miles continued,

"She worked directly with agencies inside the country."

"Law enforcement."

"Administration."

"Security."

"Internal departments."

"Officials."

"People who never needed to cross a border."

JK’s expression changed.

"You mean..."

Miles nodded.

"She’s been building this for years."

JK looked toward the compromised Secret Service agents.

Miles continued,

"And we have no idea how many people are hers."

Silence.

JK slowly looked back toward Miles.

"So..."

"This was planned."

"For a long time."

Miles nodded.

"Exactly."

Before they could continue...

A voice came from the doorway.

"JK?"

Miles turned.

So did Charles.

Evelyn stood there.

Miles’ eyes immediately moved toward the man standing just behind her.

One Sterling employee.

The man looked toward the large screen.

His body visibly tensed.

Miles noticed it immediately.

The employee’s eyes widened.

His hand trembled slightly.

Charles noticed too.

Without waiting...

He changed the display.

The compromised Secret Service images disappeared.

A normal operations dashboard replaced them.

Miles smiled toward Evelyn.

"Evie."

She walked inside.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing."

Miles looked toward her.

Evelyn held his phone out.

"Your phone."

Miles accepted it.

Then she looked around.

"Can we leave?"

Miles smiled slightly.

"Too many people?"

She nodded.

"It’s crowded."

Her eyes moved toward JK.

"But JK is hurt."

Miles looked toward the agent.

"She’ll stay here for a while."

Evie frowned.

Miles continued,

"She needs rest."

"And she can help us here."

JK smiled.

"Don’t worry about me."

Evie looked toward her.

JK continued,

"You go with him."

"And meet your brother."

Evie finally nodded.

"Okay."

Miles looked toward Charles.

His expression remained calm.

"Forced or not..."

Charles immediately understood what he meant.

Miles continued,

"Make sure they don’t get to use the supplies they bought."

Evelyn looked confused.

Miles continued casually,

"We’ll feed them ourselves."

Charles almost smiled.

"Understood."

Miles added,

"JK can help."

JK nodded.

"I will."

Evie looked between them.

"You guys are getting more guests?"

Miles turned toward her.

"Yes."

Evelyn blinked.

Miles replied completely seriously,

"It’s tourist season."

Charles lowered his head to hide his smile.

Miles continued,

"Beaches are full."

Evie immediately made a face.

"I don’t like crowded beaches."

Miles smiled.

"How about a private island?"

Evie stopped.

"A private island?"

Miles nodded.

"Your brother and I were planning to go tomorrow."

Her eyes brightened.

"You can join."

Evelyn smiled.

"I’d love to."

Miles gestured toward the door.

"Then let’s go."

Evie nodded.

She looked toward JK one more time.

JK smiled and waved.