The Retired Young Mercenary Is Secretly a Billionaire
Chapter 42: Mr. News!!

Chapter 42: Mr. News!!

Saturday, 10:00 AM

The city of Star Harbor pulsed with confusion and curiosity.

Business channels were flooded with a single headline: Sterling Enterprises – Back in Business Cinder Square Officially Acquired

The name alone caused a storm—Sterling.

A name that had once dominated skyscrapers and stock markets.

A name that had vanished without warning... almost like a ghost.

Queens Tech – Conference Room, 33rd Floor

Morning lights filtered through tinted glass as executives sat tensely.

"Who the hell brought the Sterlings back?" one of them asked, eyes fixed on the holographic display hovering above the table.

Another leaned forward. "Are we sure it’s that Sterling family?"

A younger analyst quickly nodded. "Yes, sir. The documents are verified. Ownership of the entire Cinder Square transferred to Sterling Enterprises late last evening. The signature on the deal matches a new name—Miles Sterling."

"Miles...?" a voice repeated quietly, brows tightening. "Edward Sterling had a son, didn’t he?"

"Possibly. But that was a long time ago. No one ever heard of him again."

"Find out who this ’Miles’ is. Fast."

Hall Corporation – Boardroom, Executive Tower

A frosty silence loomed.

Gregory Hall, head of one of the most powerful dynasties in the city, stood by a wall-sized news screen.

"Sterling Enterprises..." he muttered, arms crossed. "That empire was history. They folded without a fight almost two decades ago."

Behind him, his son Mark Hall shifted uneasily.

"Dad... I saw the guy. At the gala. Celina’s date. Quiet... but terrifyingly calm."

Gregory turned sharply. "The same one who made the $50 million donation?"

Mark nodded. "Yeah. He embarrassed me... humiliated me in front of everyone."

"Good," Gregory said with a sneer. "Now you understand what kind of people we’re dealing with. That wasn’t humiliation—it was a message."

"But who is he really?" one of the aides asked. "How did a family thought to be finished return like this—and own the most profitable property in the city overnight?"

"That’s what I want to know," Gregory said darkly. "No announcements. No leaks. No investors caught wind. That means this wasn’t revival—it was preparation."

He turned back to the screen: Sterling Enterprises – A Legacy Returns Cinder Square: Now Under Sterling Ownership

"We don’t make a move until we know what he’s after," Gregory said. "This isn’t just a name revival. This is warfare dressed in silence."

Across the city, in boardrooms, cafés, and secret investor chats, one question burned:

Who is Miles Sterling?

And why does it feel like...he never left—just waited for the right moment to strike.

The skyline now bore his banner in glowing white letters:

STERLING ENTERPRISES

And the city would never be the same.

Wraithbourne Mansion — Late Morning

The sun poured through the grand windows of the Wraithbourne estate, casting golden light across the marble floor. Victor Wraithbourne sat in his armchair, his glasses lowered as he stared at the newspaper headline:

"Sterling Enterprises Acquires Cinder Square"

He looked up slowly at Celina, who stood with folded arms and an impish smile on her face.

"You met the owner," Victor said, his voice slow and mildly accusing, "and didn’t even tell me."

Celina giggled, walking closer. "I thought I’d give you a surprise, too."

Victor exhaled and leaned back. "Seriously... Miles bought the entire Cinder Square? That place alone generates millions in monthly turnover. Seems like your friend’s been making a lot of money over the years."

Celina tilted her head. "Dad... I don’t think you understand. It’s not about how much he earned." She paused. "He’s already rich. Really rich. It’s more like... he just wanted to revive the Sterling name."

Victor raised a brow, intrigued. "And how much money does he really have?"

Celina hesitated for a moment. Then, with a subtle glance toward the hall to make sure no one was listening, she leaned in closer.

"He owns Reaper Entertainment," she whispered softly. "And... he even owns our university."

Victor blinked. His jaw loosened... then dropped. "What...? That Reaper Entertainment? The same company that just bought Star Central and buzzed half the media in the city?"

Celina nodded innocently.

Victor blinked again, lost in thought, then ran a hand through his graying hair. "St. Patrick’s University too...?"

A groan escaped his throat as he slumped into his chair dramatically. "And here I was... talking about helping him find a job."

Celina burst out laughing. "You should’ve seen your face, Dad. That was priceless."

Victor glared with mock offense, then chuckled. "You little troublemaker."

He sighed again, this time with a hint of emotion behind it. "Still... I’m happy. I’m really happy for him."

He looked out the window, eyes distant.

"If Edward could see him now... he’d be proud. So damn proud. The boy’s not just bringing back a legacy—he’s rewriting it."

Celina smiled softly, her fingers brushing the side of her glass.

"Yeah," she said. "He really is."

Keller House – Living Room, Late Morning

The cozy living room echoed with the cheerful chaos of Hope and Asher as they buzzed around the center rug, their laughter dancing in the air. A cartoon was playing softly in the background on one side, but the main TV screen was locked on a news broadcast.

"The unexpected revival of the Sterling family name has set the city abuzz... Cinder Square, one of the most valuable commercial centers in Star Harbor, has officially been acquired by Sterling Enterprises..."

The anchor’s voice echoed with drama, but Miles sat on the sofa in silence, calmly sipping tea. His gaze was focused, unreadable. Daniel, sitting nearby, had his arms folded, still wrapping his head around everything. Elena sat beside Miles, quiet but warm. Her eyes had that look only a mother could wear—concern, pride, and a thousand unspoken memories.

Finally, Elena broke the silence.

"Son," she said gently, her voice cutting through the news anchor’s words, "I won’t ask how you did it. I’m proud of you. Truly, I am."

She paused, then leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice.

"But promise me one thing. Never do something illegal to reach higher. We’ve already lost too much... I don’t want the world to take you away from me like it took your father."

Miles looked over, a soft smile tugging at his lips. His voice was calm.

"Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not walking into darkness. I’ll protect what matters."

Elena studied him for a second longer, then nodded, slowly placing her hand over his.

Daniel, still processing, shook his head with a small chuckle. "I wish I could help you as well, but looks like you don’t need any"

Miles grinned. "You still are helpful, Father. This house, this family—you’ve done more than I ever could."

Before Daniel could reply, Hope and Asher jumped up onto the couch beside Miles, sandwiching him between their tiny arms.

"Big bro!" Hope beamed. "Are we famous now?"

Miles laughed. "Not yet. But maybe soon."

Asher pointed at the TV, wide-eyed. "Is that your building?"

Miles nodded.

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "So... tomorrow’s Sunday."

Elena’s face lit up. "That’s right... we were talking about inviting our secret guest, remember?"

Daniel blinked. "You two still won’t tell me who it is?"

Elena smirked playfully. "Nope. You’ll see."

"I’m going to explode from curiosity one of these days," Daniel muttered.

Miles stood and stretched. "Alright. I’ll send the invitation. And Mom..."

"Hm?"

"I’ll invite Celina too. She wanted to meet our guest as well."

Elena gave a pleased nod. "Good. Call her. I’ll prepare something special—Asher, Hope, help me pick the menu."

The twins shot up, cheering and running toward the kitchen like it was a mission.

Daniel leaned back with a helpless sigh. "Should I be nervous?"

Miles smirked. "Maybe."

The laughter of family filled the room again—warm, grounding, and precious. Even amid the storms Miles had weathered, this moment felt like peace.

The sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm hue across Miles’s desk where half-read files, a notebook, and a black pen lay untouched. He leaned back on his chair, phone in hand, a faint smile playing on his lips as the call connected.

"Hello, Mr. News," Celina’s voice came through, playful and teasing, "how can you surprise me today?"

Miles chuckled, adjusting his posture. "What’s with you? Are you even studying? We’ve got exams next week, remember?"

There was a dramatic groan on the other end. "Ugh, don’t remind me of boring things. I opened the textbook and immediately regretted my life choices."

He laughed softly. "You’re hopeless."

"That’s why I keep you around. To keep me in check," she said, then paused. "Anyway, why the call? I doubt it was just to check on my study habits."

Miles smiled faintly. "Actually... I called to invite you to dinner. Tomorrow."

"Dinner?" Her voice perked up instantly.

"Yeah," he nodded, "I’m inviting Jess. Thought you might want to meet her."

There was a pause. Then a sudden gasp from the other end.

"Jess!? As in the Jess? The idol Jess?! Wait—you’re serious??"

Miles smirked. "Dead serious."

There was a flurry of noise—Celina shuffling around, probably looking for something to note it down.

"I am absolutely coming tomorrow. Don’t even start without me. I’ve got so many questions for her, oh my God..."

Miles leaned back, his voice amused. "Don’t scare her off before dinner starts."

"No promises," she said with excitement in her voice. "Thanks for the invite. I’ll be there, all dressed up and ready to interrogate... I mean, meet her."

"Looking forward to it," Miles replied, still smiling. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye, Mr. Sterling."

The call ended, leaving Miles alone in the quiet room once again, the soft hum of the city outside his window echoing the slow rhythm of anticipation.

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