Miles pressed the accelerator a little too hard on the last turn, gravel crunching beneath the tires as the black sedan slid into the Pearl Villa driveway. The gate guards straightened the moment they saw him.
He stepped out, expression calm but eyes sharper than usual.
"Did you find him?"
The head security guard shook his head. "He's hiding somewhere inside the grounds, sir. We've called his name but he isn't responding. The house staff said he was very angry when he walked out. We just started checking the security feed."
Miles exhaled quietly. "No need. I'll get him."
He tossed his car key into the guard's hands and walked across the garden path — not towards the house, but toward the small maple grove behind it.
The forest whispered with evening wind, leaves swaying softly. Miles didn't hurry now — he knew Asher. The boy felt deeply, hid in quiet places when upset, and trusted only a few corners of the world.
And one of those corners was here.
