The Retired Young Mercenary Is Secretly a Billionaire -
Chapter 50: The News !!
Chapter 50: The News !!
Monday Morning
The sun rose over Star Harbor, casting golden light across the quiet streets as a light breeze swept through. The city was beginning to wake—shops opening, people hustling to work—but for Miles Sterling, the rhythm never really slowed.
Inside his sleek black car, dressed in his usual sharp, understated style, Miles leaned back in the driver’s seat as the engine purred down the tree-lined avenue leading to the university. His eyes flicked toward the dashboard clock. 7:42 AM.
He tapped the call button on the wheel. The line connected instantly. "Hello, boss," came June’s crisp, alert voice on the other end. She sounded like she’d already been at work for hours. "Do we begin then?"
Miles spoke with calm precision. "Start employee onboarding for operations. Use trusted people. If we’re short, get them from Reaper’s HR pool. I want speed over paperwork."
"Understood," June responded, already typing something in the background.
"We’re targeting the media sector first," Miles continued. "I want major news companies in this country—either investments or full acquisitions. I don’t care which. We clean them up. Cut the corruption. Filter out biased puppets. We’re building a clean narrative."
"Got it," June said, her tone firmer.
"Tell Monica to set up a new Sterling corporate bank account. All transactions go through it. I don’t want anything connected to Reaper’s financial architecture on the surface. This needs to look like a clean, standalone empire."
"Already texting her, boss," June replied. "She’ll get it ready by end of day."
"Good," Miles said. Then added: "Within two weeks, I want the foundation for Sterling Media in place. Name, structure, key channels. Hire a top celebrity or two to be the brand face. Push them to the front of every major screen in this country."
June’s voice carried an excited edge now. "Alright, boss. Consider it done."
The call ended. Miles gave a small smile as he rolled down the windows, the wind gently brushing against his face.
From a student who’d technically never passed high school, to the founder of a rising empire—this wasn’t luck.
This was intent.
.........
2 WEEKS LATER!!!!
The winds in Star Harbor had shifted.
In just fourteen days, the city—once ruled by familiar names and stagnant empires—was now echoing with the rise of a name thought to be buried in history:
Sterling.
The media storm began with a shocking announcements:
Celina Wraithbourne, fresh out of university, had officially graduated and been appointed the new CEO of Wraithbourne Holdings—one of the country’s most powerful conglomerates, known for its vast real estate, logistics, and energy interests.
Though Victor Wraithbourne retained the title of Chairman, overseeing the weapons and defense manufacturing arm, he declared in a press statement:
"The next generation must lead with modern vision. Celina is capable and fierce—and this marks a new era for the Wraithbourne’s."
Celina, in her first public address, stood tall in a sharp gray suit, her voice calm and commanding as she said:
"Legacy is not about preservation. It’s about transformation. And I intend to transform everything."
The world listened—and watched.
If the Wraithbourne’s were ascending, the Nile family was plummeting.
Whispers turned to headlines as Ross Nile, the arrogant young heir once bragging about floor ownership in Cinder Square, was arrested in a drug trafficking scandal. Grainy footage of him stumbling from a hotel in a daze, surrounded by contraband, went viral overnight.
Simultaneously, Nile Industries filed for bankruptcy, their accounts frozen, shares delisted, and assets seized. Investigators traced financial manipulation, money laundering, and falsified audits spanning over five years.
It wasn’t just a collapse—it was a purge.
And for those who paid attention, one name lingered in the shadows of this destruction.
Miles Sterling.
While the Nile empire crumbled, Sterling Enterprises did the opposite—erupted.
In a flurry of private boardroom meetings, overnight wire transfers, and silenced negotiations, the newest power in the country was born:
Sterling Media.
Initially dismissed as a niche brand, it stunned the entire nation by Acquiring 52% of all major news networks in Star Harbor in under ten days.
Buying a controlling share in Merlin News — the largest, oldest, and most respected media conglomerate in the country.
Installing ex-Reaper executives as heads of programming, ensuring elite-level discipline, precision, and integrity.
Every newscaster began using the same phrase:
"In partnership with Sterling Media."
The corporate world buzzed. Billion-dollar deals surfaced. Speculations ran wild.
Who was funding Sterling Enterprises?
How did they move so fast?
And most of all—
Why does the name Sterling sound so familiar...?
Behind all this, Miles Sterling moved in silence.
His plan had only just begun. And the country had no idea what was coming next.
Keller House — That Evening
The evening light filtered gently through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the living room. The air smelled faintly of fresh herbs and oven-baked bread. The television was off for once; the family had gathered not for spectacle, but for something more meaningful.
Miles sat on the sofa, shoulders relaxed, a rare stillness on his face. His tie was loosened, blazer draped over the armrest. A modest dinner had just wrapped up—roast vegetables, garlic bread, a simple baked pasta. No fanfare. No decorations. Just warmth.
Daniel raised his glass with a quiet smile. "To my son," he said, voice steady. "Congratulations, Miles—not just for completing college in your... rather unique fashion—but for stepping into something even larger. What you’re building... it means something. And I hope you never forget why you’re doing it."
Miles nodded, lifting his own glass, the weight of the words not lost on him. "Thanks, Father."
Across from him, Hope had her legs curled up on the couch, nibbling on a biscuit. She raised her hand dramatically. "Big brooo, you’re like... like a CEO now, right?"
Miles smirked. "Technically."
"Does that mean you get a crown?" she asked, eyes wide and hopeful.
Asher, sitting beside her, chimed in dryly, "No, dummy. He gets... like... stress. That’s what CEOs get."
Everyone laughed.
"I saw that coming," Miles said, amused, leaning back into the couch.
"No crown, then," Hope said with a pout. "But I still think you’re cool."
Elena entered the hallway. She carried a small tray of cups—coffee for the adults, juice for the twins. She passed them out one by one and sat next to Daniel.
"You’re building something for the future," she said softly to Miles. "Your father would be proud."
There was a moment of silence. No one reached to fill it. It simply... stayed. Present. Real.
And then Hope broke it, as she always did.
"Big brooo... when do I get to visit your office?"
Miles smiled. "Someday soon."
After Dinner – Later That NightThe house had quieted down after dinner. Dishes were done, lights dimmed, and the laughter of the twins had faded into the gentle hum of the night. Miles stood alone on the balcony, one hand resting on the railing, the other holding his phone. The city below was a sea of lights—silent, distant, almost peaceful.
His phone buzzed. A call.
Celina Wraithbourne.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he accepted.
"So, Miss CEO finally got a minute to remember this poor man, huh?" Miles teased, his voice laced with playful sarcasm.
There was a pause, followed by a familiar, amused scoff on the other end."Poor? Really? You?" Celina’s voice was warm and sarcastic. "I just became CEO, and that too because of my father’s name. You? You built everything from scratch. From the shadows, no less. Poor, you say? You might secretly be the richest man in the country. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you owned half the city and just forgot to mention it."
Miles laughed, a rare, full laugh that softened his expression."Alright, fine. You caught me. I’m only poor in free time and peace of mind."
Celina chuckled.
"So... we graduated, huh?" Miles said after a beat, his tone mellowing. "The bodyguard mission’s officially over now. You’re back to your empire, and I’m back to... whatever this normal life is supposed to be."
"You call that normal?" Celina said with a dry laugh. "Your version of normal still includes underground fights, high-speed chases, and secret meetings in abandoned warehouses."
"Touché." He grinned. "Still, be careful. Now that you’re out in the open, people will come for you in ways you won’t expect. If you want, I can arrange private security—real professionals, not the corporate showpieces. As a friend, I can do that much."
"Are you trying to spy on me, Ghost?" Celina said with a teasing tone. "What’s next? A GPS chip in my heel? Hidden mics in my office?"
"I could do that, but it’d ruin your high heels."
She laughed again. The sound was light, genuine.
"If the media caught a whiff of that, it’d be headline news for weeks—’Wraithbourne Heiress and Mysterious Tycoon in Secret Agreement,’ with all kinds of spicy rumors attached."
Miles leaned back slightly, looking up at the stars.
"I don’t care about rumors."
Her end went quiet for a moment. Then, softly,"Hmm? What are you trying to say?"
Miles didn’t answer right away. His thumb traced the railing as his eyes scanned the dark sky."Nothing, really." His voice was calm now, thoughtful. "Just... all the best for your new beginning, Celina. You’ve earned it."
There was silence again—but this time it was comfortable.
Then she said, gently,"And all the best to you, too... Miles. Let’s meet sometime, okay? Not for work. Just... us."
He smiled again, softer this time."Yeah. Let’s."
The call ended with a soft beep, and the screen dimmed to black in his hand.
Miles stood still for a moment, staring out at the sleeping city. Her voice still echoed faintly in his mind—teasing, thoughtful, warm. He tucked the phone into his pocket, exhaled quietly, then turned and stepped back inside.
The room was dimly lit, washed in a soft amber glow from a bedside lamp. A photo frame of the twins sat on the nightstand, their smiling faces frozen in joy. The familiar silence of the house wrapped around him like a warm blanket—far from the chaos of his past, and yet never fully free from it.
He unbuttoned his shirt slowly, the fabric slipping off his shoulders with the ease of habit. Scars, old and new, caught the light as he moved. He sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, elbows resting on his knees, head slightly bowed.
A deep breath.
Then he lay back, arms behind his head, eyes on the ceiling. The fan turned lazily above, the night breeze drifting through the open window. Somewhere down the hall, he could hear Hope’s faint giggle in her sleep, followed by Asher mumbling something about superheroes.
He smiled.
Tomorrow would be different.
He didn’t know what exactly waited for him at sunrise.
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