Chapter 463: The Silence Before the Tide!!

Pearl Villa, Star Harbor.

Evening.

For once, almost everyone had returned home earlier than usual.

Elena and Daniel had spent most of the day at The Atelier, supervising the kitchen and helping the new staff settle into their responsibilities.

By late afternoon, both had decided they had done enough.

The evening shift had taken over the restaurant’s operations, leaving the couple with an unusually free evening.

And Pearl Villa was certainly making good use of it.

Laughter occasionally drifted through the drawing room.

The television was playing quietly in the background, although no one was paying much attention to it.

Chloe sat beside Evelyn on one of the large sofas, showing her photographs of several abstract paintings on her tablet.

Evelyn leaned closer.

"Wait, you made this one too?"

Chloe smiled.

"Yes."

Evelyn studied the artwork.

"That’s beautiful."

"Thank you."

She swiped to another picture.

"And this?"

"That one was an experiment."

Evelyn looked surprised.

"An experiment?"

Chloe laughed.

"I was trying a different approach. The colors weren’t working together the way I wanted."

Evelyn studied the painting again.

"I actually like it."

"Really?"

"Yes. It feels..."

She paused, searching for the right word.

"Peaceful."

Chloe smiled.

"That’s interesting. I was feeling quite frustrated when I painted it."

Evelyn laughed.

"Then maybe you accidentally made something peaceful."

"Maybe."

The two continued talking.

Evelyn had shown genuine interest in Chloe’s work ever since learning that several of the art work decorating The Atelier had been selected or designed by her.

And Chloe was more than happy to share.

Nearby, Nick sat with his phone, occasionally glancing toward them.

His expression was becoming increasingly dissatisfied.

Finally, he sighed loudly.

Neither woman noticed.

He sighed again.

Still nothing.

Nick looked toward Daniel.

"Uncle."

Daniel turned.

"Yes?"

"Do you see this?"

Daniel followed his gaze.

Chloe and Evelyn were still discussing the paintings.

"What happened?"

Nick shook his head.

"My sister arrived today."

Daniel nodded.

"Yes."

"She hasn’t even given me a proper hello."

Daniel smiled.

Nick continued, "I went to see her earlier, and she said she was busy."

He pointed toward the two women.

"And now she’s been sitting there for almost an hour."

Daniel chuckled.

"Looks like she’s enjoying herself."

"Exactly."

Nick sighed.

"And what about me?"

From the sofa, Evelyn finally looked up.

"You’re sitting right there, Brother."

Nick immediately turned.

"Oh, so you do remember I exist."

Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"Don’t be dramatic."

Chloe laughed.

Nick looked toward her.

"See?"

Chloe smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, Nick. We got carried away."

Nick shook his head.

"You’re stealing my sister."

Evelyn immediately replied, "You weren’t doing anything interesting anyway."

Daniel burst into laughter.

Nick stared at her.

"Unbelievable."

At the other end of the room, Hope and Asher were seated at a study table with their homework spread before them.

They had already spent most of the afternoon playing with Evelyn after returning from school.

Now, however, they had been reminded that tomorrow was still a school day.

Asher looked toward the sofa.

"Big Sister Evie."

Evelyn turned.

"Yes?"

"Can we play again after homework?"

Evelyn smiled.

"If you finish before bedtime."

Asher immediately looked down at his notebook.

Hope leaned toward him.

"Stop talking and finish."

"I’m doing it."

"You’ve been on the same question for ten minutes."

Asher frowned.

"Because it’s difficult."

Hope sighed like a much older sister.

Evelyn laughed.

The evening had become pleasantly noisy.

Even Monica had returned earlier than usual.

She sat near Elena, reviewing something on her phone while occasionally joining the conversation.

But one person was still missing.

Daniel looked toward the staircase.

Then toward the entrance.

"Does anyone know where Miles is?"

Monica looked up immediately.

"He’s taking care of some work."

Daniel turned toward her.

"At this hour?"

She nodded.

"He’ll be back before dinner."

Elena looked toward her husband.

"Do you need something?"

Daniel shook his head.

"No."

He smiled.

"Just asking."

Then looked around.

"Everyone is home except him."

Elena sighed.

"I wonder what work he has at night."

Monica smiled faintly.

"Don’t worry, Aunt."

Elena gave her a look.

"You keep covering for him."

Monica stopped smiling.

"What?"

Elena continued, "You should bring his complaints to us sometimes."

Daniel chuckled.

Monica looked amused.

"But he’s a married man now."

Elena immediately nodded.

"Exactly."

Monica blinked.

Elena continued, "He should spend time with his wife too."

Monica realized her argument had backfired.

Chloe looked up from her tablet.

"Mom."

Elena turned.

"Yes, dear?"

"He told me before leaving."

Chloe smiled reassuringly.

"Don’t worry. He said it was important."

Elena’s expression softened.

"Of course."

She nodded.

"We all trust him."

Then she sighed.

"I just wish he would rest a little more."

Nick suddenly raised his hand.

"Aunt."

Elena looked toward him.

"Yes?"

"I’m here."

Nick sat straighter.

"If you have any errands, you can tell me."

Elena looked surprised.

Then smiled.

"No, no."

"Nothing like that."

Nick nodded confidently.

"Just saying."

Evelyn slowly turned toward him.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Seriously?"

Nick frowned.

"What?"

She looked genuinely curious.

"What changed you this much?"

Nick stared.

"Hey?"

Evelyn continued, "Since when did you start volunteering for errands?"

Nick looked offended.

"I can be helpful."

Evelyn nodded slowly.

"Interesting."

"Evie."

She smiled innocently.

"Yes, Brother?"

Nick sighed.

Everyone laughed again.

Elena looked around the room.

Her husband.

Her children.

Chloe.

Monica.

Nick and Evelyn.

The house had become far livelier than it had been only a few months earlier.

She smiled.

"This house is so lively tonight."

Daniel looked around.

Then nodded.

"Indeed."

For a while, the conversations continued.

And somewhere else in Star Harbor, the missing member of the family was dealing with a very different kind of evening.

...

The Seaside, Star Harbor.

Far from the busy commercial districts, a quieter section of the coastline stretched along the edge of the city.

Private holiday homes stood between carefully maintained gardens and narrow roads leading toward the beach.

Most were empty during the week.

Others were rented to visitors seeking privacy.

The sound of waves carried through the cold night air.

A beach party was taking place farther down the coast.

Music drifted faintly across the water.

Occasionally, laughter could be heard whenever the wind changed direction.

But near one dark corner of the coastal road...

A surveillance van sat parked beneath the shadow of several trees.

A car approached slowly.

Its headlights swept over the roadside before turning toward the van.

The engine stopped.

Miles stepped out.

He looked toward the surrounding houses, then walked toward the surveillance vehicle.

The side door opened.

He entered.

Inside, Charles was waiting.

Several monitors displayed different sections of a beachside property.

Beside him stood JK.

Miles looked toward the largest screen.

"What’s this place?"

Charles turned.

"A private holiday home. It belongs to a famous actress."

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Is she here?"

"No."

"Then?"

Charles smiled faintly.

"That’s where it gets interesting."

Miles looked toward him.

"The caretaker who handled the property for years retired last month."

"The replacement is young."

Charles tapped the screen.

"Apparently, he decided the property was too good to remain empty."

Miles understood immediately.

"Renting it out?"

"Illegally."

Charles nodded.

"He’s been advertising it as a private holiday rental."

Miles looked toward the beach.

"Extra money."

"Quite a lot, apparently."

Charles continued, "It’s a beachside property, Boss. Depending on the season, he could earn ten times his salary from tourists."

Miles looked impressed.

"That’s a great business."

Charles chuckled.

Miles thought for a moment.

"Should we enter the hotel business?"

Charles turned.

"Boss?"

Miles looked toward him.

"We’re already opening another restaurant near the beach."

He gestured toward the property.

"Hospitality wouldn’t be a bad expansion."

Charles smiled.

"You should."

Miles nodded thoughtfully.

"Maybe."

Then he noticed JK looking at the screen.

He paused.

"Sorry."

"I got distracted."

JK shook her head.

"It’s fine."

Her eyes returned to the screen.

"Let’s finish this tonight."

Miles noticed the coldness in her voice.

JK continued, "I want to shoot those traitors myself."

Charles became quiet.

Miles looked toward her.

"Calm down, Agent."

JK clenched her jaw.

Miles continued, "We’ll get them."

He glanced toward Charles.

"The naval forces?"

"Already notified."

Miles nodded.

"They’ll arrive soon."

He looked back toward JK.

"Once we’re finished, the prisoners will be transferred to military detention."

"Until we sort out the Vice President’s involvement."

JK remained silent.

Miles could understand her anger.

Miles reached for the dark hoodie beside him.

He pulled it on.

Then checked the pistol he was carrying.

JK watched him.

"No vest?"

Miles looked toward her.

"Why?"

She frowned.

"They’re trained Secret Service agents."

"And we don’t know how heavily armed they are."

Miles nodded toward the monitor.

"See that?"

JK followed his gaze.

A neighboring property had its outdoor lights on.

People were gathered near the beach.

Music continued playing.

A few cars were parked along the road.

Miles continued, "There’s a party happening right beside them."

JK listened.

"We don’t want a gunfight in the middle of Star Harbor."

He looked toward her.

"One exchange of fire..."

"And this will be on the news tomorrow."

Charles nodded.

Miles continued, "People will panic."

"The local authorities will get involved."

JK looked back toward the property.

"Then how do we catch them?"

Miles smiled.

"We’ll enter later."

JK blinked.

"Huh?"

Miles turned toward Charles.

"Ready?"

Charles nodded.

"They are."

Miles looked toward the dark sea.

Several seconds passed before he spotted what he was searching for.

A boat.

Barely visible against the water.

Already anchored offshore.

Miles smiled.

"It’s there."

He turned toward Charles.

"Give them the green light."

Charles reached for a radio.

Then paused.

He held it toward Miles.

"You should do it."

Miles looked at him.

Then smiled faintly.

He accepted the radio.

Pressed the communication button.

"Warriors."

Static came through.

Then silence.

Miles continued, "This is your first assignment without your captains."

JK looked toward him.

Miles’ voice remained calm.

"Your captains are occupied with very important missions."

He paused.

"But I’m here."

A response came through.

"We’re listening, Leader."

Miles looked toward the live feeds.

"You know the assignment."

"Enter."

"Take the targets down."

"Secure them."

"And get them onto the boats."

He looked toward JK.

"Silently."

Then spoke into the radio again.

"No unnecessary injuries."

"No attention."

"No problems for the civilians nearby."

He paused.

"Any doubts?"

The response came immediately.

"No doubts, Leader."

Another voice followed.

"Leave it to us."

Miles nodded.

"Good."

He handed the radio back to Charles.

Charles pressed the button.

"Go ahead."

A brief pause.

Then the response.

"We’re moving."

...

Out on the water...

Several figures emerged from the darkness.

Their movements were quiet.

Controlled.

Almost impossible to distinguish from the shadows along the shore.

One after another, they left the boat.

The waves concealed much of the sound.

From the surveillance van, the camera operators watched the approaching figures.

JK leaned closer.

Her expression changed.

"Who are they?"

Miles looked toward the screen.

"Students."

JK slowly turned.

"Students?"

Miles nodded.

"From my martial arts school."

JK stared at him.

Miles continued, "I run a training school nearby."

She looked back toward the figures.

The explanation sounded strange.

But it was not entirely false.

The school was officially registered as a business.

It allowed the Ancient Warrior Order to maintain its training activities without drawing unnecessary attention.

Its students continued practicing the martial disciplines passed down through generations.

And tonight, several of them were getting their first opportunity to operate without the direct supervision of their captains.

JK looked toward Miles again.

"Those are students?"

"Yes."

He smiled.

"They’re experienced fighters."

"Don’t worry."

JK sighed.

"Okay."

Miles looked toward her.

"One more thing."

"What?"

"Don’t write this part in your report."

JK gave him a long look.

Then nodded.

"I understand."

Charles almost laughed.

...

A faint crackle came through the radio.

"We’re in position."

Miles immediately became attentive.

He looked toward Charles.

"Charles."

Charles picked up another radio.

"Cut the power."

A response came from the field.

"Ready."

The next moment...

The lights inside the holiday home went out.

The balcony.

The windows.

The illuminated rooms.

Everything fell into darkness.

The neighboring properties remained brightly lit.

Music continued playing.

Nobody at the nearby party seemed to notice.

Miles watched the monitor.

Then raised the radio.

"In now."

The response came immediately.

"Going in."

...

On the screens inside the van...

The body camera feeds switched to night vision.

The property appeared in shades of green.

Walls.

Doorways.

Furniture.

Dark corridors.

Figures moving.

JK leaned forward.

She knew these men.

She knew how trained they were.

They had served under the protection structure assigned to the President’s family.

Some had years of experience in close protection.

Some were former military personnel.

They understood combat.

They understood how to react when threatened.

She expected resistance.

A struggle.

At least some sign that the agents inside had realized they were being attacked.

Instead...

The feeds showed rapid movement.

A shadow passing through a doorway.

One agent losing his balance.

Another being forced to the floor.

A third trying to turn before disappearing from the camera’s view.

No gunfire.

No screaming.

No prolonged fight.

The movements were so fast that JK struggled to follow them.

Charles watched calmly.

Miles stood beside him.

Then...

Less than a minute later...

The radio crackled again.

"All under control, Leader."

JK blinked.

The voice continued, "We have them."

Charles switched the main display.

The captured Secret Service agents were on the floor.

Their hands were being restrained.

Several warriors were checking the rooms.

Others were already preparing to move the prisoners.

JK stared.

"That’s it?"

Miles smiled.

"Told you."

She looked toward him.

"They’re trained professionals."

JK turned back toward the screen.

The captured agents had barely managed to resist.

She had worked with some of them for years.

She knew their abilities.

Yet whoever had entered that house had taken them down with almost frightening efficiency.

JK slowly looked toward Miles.

"What are they?"

"Ninjas?"

Charles immediately lowered his head.

Miles chuckled.

JK looked between them.

"I’m serious."

She pointed toward the screen.

"Those movements were ridiculously fast."

Miles smiled.

"They’ve been training for years."

JK shook her head.

Miles continued, "Martial arts aren’t just something they practice after school."

"For them..."

"It’s their life."

"And their heritage."

"Where do you even find people like this, General?"

Miles smiled.

She continued, "And now I’m curious about those captains you mentioned."

Miles’ expression became slightly more serious.

"Unfortunately, they’re not here."

"They’re busy dealing with WEB."

"And the Vice President’s plans."

JK looked toward the captured agents again.

Her hands slowly tightened.

Miles noticed.

Then said, "Don’t worry."

She turned.

"We don’t plan to hand them over to the Navy immediately."

JK became attentive.

Miles continued, "We still have a few hours."

Her expression changed.

Miles looked toward the screens.

"Enough time to ask questions."

JK nodded slowly.

"That’s enough."

Her voice became cold.

"I’ll make them talk."

Miles watched her for a moment.

Then smiled faintly.

"They’re all yours."

He looked toward Charles.

"Let’s go see them."

...

Outside...

Miles stepped out of the surveillance van.

JK followed him.

They walked toward the shoreline, where the waves rolled gently over the sand.

Charles remained coordinating the operation.

Miles and JK approached the waiting boats.

The warriors had already moved the prisoners aboard.

All of them were restrained.

Their hands secured.

Their mouths covered.

Their weapons had been taken away.

The captured agents sat under guard, their expressions a mixture of anger, confusion and fear.

Some still appeared unable to understand how they had been overwhelmed.

Miles stepped aboard.

His eyes moved over their faces.

Then he looked toward the warriors.

"Remove the tape."

One of them turned.

"Leader?"

Miles gestured toward the prisoners.

"Free their mouths."

He smiled faintly.

"We’re not kidnapping them."

Then added,

"This is official business."

The warriors obeyed.

One after another, the tape was removed.

A few prisoners immediately took deep breaths.

Others looked toward Miles.

Then their eyes moved toward the woman standing behind him.

JK.

The moment they recognized her...

Their expressions changed.

JK stepped forward.

She looked at the faces.

One by one.

Men she had once trusted.

People who had stood beside her during official assignments.

People who had eaten at the same tables.

Traveled in the same convoys.

Protected the same family.

And people who had abandoned Evelyn at the airport.

Her fists slowly tightened.

Miles stood beside her.

His expression remained calm.

But his voice carried a warning.

"You know..."

"People who help terrorists are terrorists themselves."

Several prisoners lowered their eyes.

Miles continued, "And in Haven, terrorism is treated very seriously."

He looked across the group.

"Don’t expect an easy way out."

One of the men swallowed.

Miles smiled faintly.

"There is no ordinary bail waiting for people accused of helping an organization like WEB."

JK stepped closer.

Her eyes were colder than the sea behind them.

"Bail?"

She looked at the captured agents.

Then said,

"I doubt they’ll even be alive before reaching the official prison."