Chapter 467: The Boy on the Swing !!!

Floating Elves Islands.

The yacht approached the private dock, slowing as the crew prepared for arrival. Beyond the white sandy beach, a thick stretch of forest covered most of the island, while the gentle waves carried the familiar sound of the sea.

The moment the yacht was secured, Nick was already standing near the exit.

"Finally!"

Evelyn looked at him.

"Brother, we’ve barely arrived."

"And?"

"At least wait for everyone."

Nick ignored her and stepped onto the dock.

The island staff had already gathered to welcome their guests. Several employees stood near the entrance to the beach, ready to assist with luggage and refreshments.

"Welcome, Boss," one of them greeted Miles.

Miles smiled. "Thanks, everyone. Hope we didn’t make you wait too long."

"Not at all, Boss. Everything has been prepared."

"Great. Please make sure everyone is comfortable."

The group began making their way toward the beach.

Nick, however, had already spotted something interesting.

"Hey! Look!"

He suddenly started running across the sand.

Evelyn turned.

"What now?"

"There’s a crab!"

A small crab was moving sideways near the water, disappearing beneath the wet sand whenever Nick approached.

Nick crouched beside it, watching with great interest.

"Look at this little guy!"

Dion shook his head.

"He’s already found a friend."

Miles chuckled.

Evelyn looked around, taking in the beautiful shoreline.

"It’s so pretty here."

The sand was clean and soft, the water clear enough to see the seabed near the shore. Farther away, a line of palm trees provided natural shade, while several umbrellas and beach chairs had been arranged for the guests.

It was nothing like the crowded holiday destinations Evelyn doesn’t like.

She turned toward Miles.

"Brother, is JK busy?"

Miles looked at her.

"You want her here?"

Evelyn nodded.

"I kind of miss her already."

Miles smiled. Considering how long JK had been responsible for Evelyn, it wasn’t surprising that she felt strange spending so much time without her.

"Hehe. Alright."

He turned toward one of the staff members.

"Can you contact the base and ask JK to come here?"

"Of course, Boss. I’ll inform them immediately."

"Thanks."

Evelyn smiled.

"Thank you, Brother."

Miles gently patted her head.

"Enjoy your day. We’re not going back until tonight, so there’s plenty of time."

Evelyn nodded happily.

Then she remembered something.

"Is Sister Chloe coming?"

"Yes. She’ll be here soon with Hope, Asher and Ivy."

"Ivy?"

Miles looked toward her.

"She’s one of my cousins."

Evelyn became curious.

"Really?"

"Yes. She’s around your age."

Her expression immediately brightened.

"Then I’ll make another friend today!"

Miles smiled.

"I’m sure she’ll be happy too."

Evelyn looked pleased with the thought. Apart from meeting new people, she had been looking forward to spending time with someone her own age without the usual restrictions surrounding her life.

Her attention soon shifted toward Flora, who was walking carefully beside Dion.

"Sister Flora, do you want some help with your bag?"

Flora smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Evie, but it’s alright."

She lifted the small bag slightly.

"It’s only some wool and knitting supplies."

"Knitting?"

"Yes. I’m planning to sit somewhere in the shade and knit for a while."

Evelyn smiled.

"That sounds nice. Show me whatever you’re making when it’s done."

"Of course."

Dion guided Flora toward one of the large beach umbrellas.

A comfortable chair had been placed beneath it, with a small table beside it.

Flora settled down and put her bag on the table.

Dion immediately pulled another chair closer.

She looked at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Sitting."

"I can see that."

Dion raised an eyebrow.

"Then why are you asking?"

Flora sighed.

"Dion, why are you sitting here with me?"

He looked confused.

"Because I don’t want to leave you alone."

Flora stared at him for a moment before smiling helplessly.

"Come on. You’re always at home taking care of me."

"That’s my job."

"And I appreciate it."

She leaned forward and lightly poked his stomach.

"But you don’t even exercise anymore. You’re going to gain weight."

"Ah!"

Dion looked down at his stomach.

"Was that necessary?"

"Very."

Flora pointed toward the beach.

"Go. Move around. Play some beach ball or something."

Dion glanced toward the water.

Then back at her.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"What if you need something?"

"I’ll call you."

"What if..."

"Dion."

He stopped.

Flora smiled.

"Go enjoy yourself."

Dion finally laughed.

"Alright."

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

"Thanks. Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

He stood and walked away.

Flora watched him go, shaking her head with an affectionate smile.

"This guy. I know he wanted to move around."

She opened her knitting bag and began arranging the wool.

Meanwhile, Dion had already found Miles.

"Hey, Miles!"

Miles turned.

"What?"

"Do you have a surfboard?"

Miles looked surprised.

"A surfboard?"

Before he could answer, one of the island staff members stepped forward.

"We certainly do, sir. We have several available."

Dion smiled.

"Perfect."

"I’ll have someone bring them right away."

"Thanks."

Nick, who had finally abandoned his investigation of the crab, immediately became interested.

"Wait. You know how to surf?"

Dion grinned.

"Yes. Why?"

Nick walked closer.

"Can you teach me?"

Dion folded his arms.

"Are you sure you want to learn from me?"

"Why not?"

"What if you get hurt?"

Nick smiled mischievously.

"Are you really going to let the President’s son get hurt?"

Dion stared at him.

"Hey! That’s not fair."

Nick laughed.

"I’m kidding. I actually want to learn."

Miles sighed.

"Just for a photograph."

Evelyn immediately nodded.

"Exactly."

Nick turned toward them.

"So what?"

Miles smiled.

"Nothing. Go ahead."

He looked toward Dion.

"Just don’t drown."

Dion chuckled.

"Very encouraging."

Nick gave Miles an offended look.

"You really have no confidence in me."

"I have plenty. That’s why I’m letting Dion deal with you."

Evelyn laughed.

Nick shook his head and followed Dion toward the staff member bringing the boards.

Evelyn watched them for a moment before turning back toward Miles.

"I’m going to wait for JK, then I’ll have some fun."

"Sounds good."

"What about you?"

Miles looked toward the beach chairs.

"Maybe I’ll relax a little while I’m here."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

"You? Relaxing?"

Miles smiled.

"Am I not allowed?"

"I didn’t say that."

She chuckled.

"It just sounds unusual."

Miles laughed and picked a comfortable chair beneath an umbrella.

He sat down, stretching his legs in front of him.

Evelyn settled into the neighboring chair.

A staff member approached with a tray carrying fresh coconut drinks.

"Some refreshments, Boss?"

"Thanks."

Miles took one and passed another to Evelyn.

She smiled.

"Thank you."

The staff member served the others before leaving.

Evelyn took a sip.

Her eyes immediately brightened.

"So refreshing!"

Miles smiled.

"The coconuts grow on the island."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Evelyn looked toward the nearby trees.

"This place is so cool."

She took another sip and leaned back.

"Citadel doesn’t have anything like this."

Miles looked toward her.

"What do you mean?"

"Beaches. Mountains. Places where you can just sit and enjoy nature."

She sighed.

"Back home, it’s mostly buildings, roads and more buildings."

Miles chuckled.

"That’s why we get so many tourists from Citadel."

"I can understand why."

Evelyn took out her phone and photographed the beach.

Then the coconut.

Then the beautiful stretch of ocean.

She checked the pictures with a satisfied smile.

"My friends are going to be so jealous."

Miles laughed.

"Enjoy making them jealous."

"I will."

She took another photograph, this time of the approaching waves.

The afternoon sun was pleasantly warm despite the cool breeze. Somewhere nearby, a bird called from the forest, and the distant laughter of Nick could already be heard as he argued with Dion about the surfboard.

Miles turned toward the sound.

Dion was explaining something while Nick listened with unusual seriousness.

Watching the two of them together brought a faint smile to his face.

"These guys..."

Evelyn looked toward him.

"Hmm?"

Miles continued watching them.

"It feels like yesterday."

Evelyn followed his gaze.

She didn’t ask anything.

Perhaps there was something in his expression that made her realize he was remembering the past.

And indeed, Miles’ thoughts had already traveled many years back.

To a different home.

A different life.

And a boy who had once been too afraid to go to school.

...

Many Years Ago.

Ivory House.

Night.

The Presidential residence was quiet.

Most of the household had already retired for the evening, and the garden lights illuminated the carefully maintained pathways behind the building.

A young boy walked through the backyard, looking around as though searching for someone.

He was Ghost.

Despite his young age, there was a certain calmness about him that rarely appeared in ordinary children.

He had already checked the living room and the gaming room.

Now he was searching outside.

Finally, near the far end of the garden, he spotted someone sitting alone on a swing.

Nicholas Abbott.

Ghost approached quietly.

"Here you are."

Nick looked up briefly.

Then lowered his eyes again.

Ghost stopped beside the swing.

"Don’t you want to sleep? You have school tomorrow."

Nick didn’t answer.

Ghost watched him for a moment before sitting on the neighboring swing.

"What’s wrong?"

Silence.

Then Nick finally spoke.

"I don’t want to go to school."

Ghost turned toward him.

"Why?"

Nick looked at the ground.

Instead of answering, he asked another question.

"Why don’t you go to school?"

Ghost blinked.

Then answered casually, "Because they ask for a name during admission."

Nick looked toward him.

Ghost continued, "And I don’t have one, right?"

For the first time that evening, Nick chuckled.

"Seriously? That’s your excuse?"

Ghost smiled.

"Pretty good excuse, isn’t it?"

Nick shook his head.

Ghost continued, "Anyway, I don’t go to school, but if you ask me anything from your textbooks, I can answer."

Nick became curious.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"Because I study."

Nick frowned.

"But you just said you don’t go to school."

"I didn’t say I don’t study."

Nick thought about it.

"Like Evie?"

Ghost looked toward him.

" She has homeschooling."

Ghost nodded.

"Something like that."

Nick smiled faintly.

"You’re really cool."

Ghost raised an eyebrow.

"Cool?"

"Yes."

Nick leaned back on the swing.

"I’ve never met anyone like you before. You’re good at everything."

Ghost chuckled.

"Not everything."

"Pretty much everything."

Nick continued, "If you attended my school, I’m sure everyone would look up to you."

Ghost seemed curious.

"What’s that like?"

Nick looked surprised.

"You don’t know?"

Ghost shook his head.

"No."

Nick smiled.

"It’s great. Everyone respects you. People want to be your friends. Girls want to talk to you."

Ghost listened with genuine curiosity.

Then asked, "Are you like that at school?"

Nick’s smile gradually disappeared.

"Me?"

"Yes."

Nick shook his head.

"I’m the opposite."

Ghost frowned.

"But you’re the President’s son."

Nick gave a bitter smile.

"That doesn’t mean anything."

He looked toward the dark garden.

"I don’t have any friends."

Ghost became quiet.

Nick continued, "Actually, I get bullied."

Ghost’s expression changed.

"What do you mean?"

Nick hesitated.

Ghost leaned forward.

"What about your security?"

"They’re not allowed everywhere."

Nick looked down.

"Some boys bully me inside the locker room. And I’m too embarrassed to tell the agents."

Ghost’s expression became serious.

"Did they hurt you?"

"Not really."

Nick shook his head.

"It’s just..."

He struggled to explain.

"They make everything awkward for me."

"How?"

"They mess with my locker. Sometimes my desk. They hide my things or move them around."

His fingers tightened around the swing’s chains.

"And when I get upset, they laugh."

Ghost listened without interrupting.

Nick continued, "They keep making jokes about me. Sometimes the whole class laughs."

He lowered his head.

"I really hate them."

Ghost looked toward him for several seconds.

"Is that why you don’t want to go to school tomorrow?"

Nick nodded.

"Yes."

He sighed.

"I’ve been thinking about asking Mom and Dad to let me study at home."

"Like Evelyn?"

"Yes."

Nick shook his head.

"But then they’ll ask why."

Ghost frowned.

"Why don’t you confront those boys?"

Nick looked at him.

"Because they have older brothers."

"Older brothers?"

"Yes. Seniors in the same school."

Nick continued, "Sometimes they bring them into our classroom just to bother other students."

Ghost’s eyes narrowed.

"That’s too much."

Nick nodded.

"Exactly."

"Why don’t you complain to your teachers?"

Nick lowered his eyes again.

"Because they’ll call me a scaredy cat."

Ghost remained silent.

"And afterward, they’ll make things even worse."

The young Ghost looked toward the quiet garden.

He had encountered dangerous people before.

He understood fear.

But the kind of fear Nick was describing was different.

It wasn’t about a single dangerous encounter.

It was about waking up every morning knowing that someone was waiting to make your day miserable.

And feeling unable to do anything about it.

"That’s a serious issue," Ghost finally said.

Nick nodded.

Then he looked toward him.

"You know..."

Ghost turned.

"I really enjoy staying at home."

Nick smiled faintly.

"Especially when you’re here."

Ghost listened.

"You’re a really good friend to me."

His voice became quieter.

"I don’t have anyone like you at school."

He looked toward the residence.

"I don’t want to go tomorrow."

Then back toward Ghost.

"I just want to stay home and play with you."

Ghost smiled gently.

"But you know I have to leave in a few days."

Nick’s expression saddened.

"I know."

"And hiding at home isn’t how we deal with problems."

Nick sighed.

"Easy for you to say."

Ghost chuckled.

"Maybe."

He thought for a moment.

Then suddenly smiled.

"Actually..."

Nick looked toward him.

"What?"

"I have some work tomorrow."

"Okay?"

Ghost continued, "How about I send someone to your school?"

Nick blinked.

"Send someone?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Ghost smiled.

"To teach those boys a lesson."

Nick immediately became interested.

"Who?"

"His name is Dion."

Nick frowned.

"Dion?"

Ghost nodded.

"He’s like a big brother to me."

Nick thought about it.

Then asked worriedly, "What if he gets caught?"

Ghost’s smile slowly turned into a smirk.

"Oh, he never will."