Salute To The General

Chapter 1 Ares Of The North

The entire city of Channing was on high alert.

A military aircraft was making its landing at the Channing International Airport.

Hundreds of soldiers from the special forces aligned themselves into neat rows at the airport. Each soldier was dressed in full battle gear.

None of them could tear their adulatory eyes away from the aircraft that had just landed. There was a sense of eager anticipation in the air.

Nathan Cross made his way down the aircraft's stairs after he had exited. His black combat boots creaked with every step he took.

“Attention!”

“Salute!”

The strident voice of the officer pierced through the air with a note of authority and discipline.

The troops raised their right hand uniformly to give their salutes while greeting him concertedly, “Welcome to Channing, Sir”

He was their general, whose actual name was Nathan Cross, although they liked to refer him as the Ares of the North.

That was because he had never lost a battle in his distinguished military career, since the day he had joined the army as a young chap.

His track record for the past five years had been jaw-dropping when he had led the troops to several significant victories in the north.

He had repeatedly defended the borders from invading enemies. The country owed it to his tactical genius and strategic astuteness for the peace and prosperity that it was enjoying today.

With a tall and muscular physique, Nathan Cross was an attractive man. His luminous eyes sparkled like diamonds in the dazzling sunlight.

Nonetheless, he seemed a little displeased. Knitting his brows together, he muttered to Colin Dunne, captain of the National Guards, “Didn't I tell you to keep a low profile?”

“That's what I've been telling the Channing's authorities, Sir. I'd never expected that they would make such a fuss about it,” Colin Dunne replied abashedly.

“Send the troops back and inform them to lift the red alert status, reverting everything to its usual course. The same goes for you - I don't need you to follow me around. I have my own arrangements.”

"Yes, Sir” Colin Dunne clapped his heels together and saluted.

Nathan Cross strode out of the airport alone, accompanied by a sudden myriad of strange emotions that tugged at his heart, which was a huge departure from his usual calm demeanor.

years ago, the grief from his mother's passing had forced him into a drunken stupor

lady took pity on him and tried to give him a hand. But his desires, aroused by drunkenness, got the better

he had woken up,

years for Nathan as he exhausted all the possibilities to find the lady. Unfortunately, all his efforts had come to naught. It was only until recently that he finally

and that she was still unmarried. She had given birth to a daughter,

the two had to face over the past few

in your lives from now on, he solemnly vowed. I

of Diva Limited, Penny Smith was amidst a discussion with her client, Derek Harvey. Dressed in a

front of her. “I'm sorry, Mr. Harvey, but I'm unable to oblige your request. I'm not one of those who would give myself

being said, she stood up and turned

fangs. “All I'm asking is for you to put on your company's latest lingerie design for couples so that I can get a better sense of how they look on one's body.” Leering, he tried to persuade her, “Just a small feast for my eyes, that's all

me? I'll place an order for fifty million immediately if I like what I see. That's my stance,

one million as well. How does that sound to you?” “Please stop

Derek Harvey shrilled at the top

about your dirty past, our beloved daughter of the Smith Family? Every member of Channing's upper class would cover their mouths and giggled

Her face immediately paled when he brought up that ugly incident - it was the ghost that would haunt her for the rest of her life,

to her. She had never expected Derek Harvey to use it, trampling

nothing left to discuss, goodbye!” With his eyes pinned on Penny's alluring body, Derek Harvey refused to

instantly cornered by two bodyguards with crooked smiles on their

Her voice was thick with rage and fear. “I'm just trying to have some fun with you, Ms. Smith. Don't you know how much I adore you?" Derek Harvey smiled his obnoxious, lewd smile,

Penny when he uttered those words, making her cheek twitch with fear. Abruptly, she dashed for the

bodyguards grasped her wrists and held her

help me, please!” Penny screamed at the top of her

staff have already left for home.”

like a trapped animal. She had never expected Derek Harvey to be

here..." Derek Harvey pressed closer to her with a sneer on his repugnant face, spinning his nasty web around Penny, who had

thunderous thud reverberated around the

flew off its hinge and landed with a thud right under the nose of Derek Harvey and his

walked into the room. His strong, lean body looked as fit as a professional athlete, while his exquisite looks appeared good enough to grace the cover of

molested her, yet the

pain stung Nathan's heart upon seeing Penny cry like a baby,

she had saved

his inebriated state, he had taken her by force and had

the past five years, Nathan had never stopped

every night; she was incontestably the most unforgettable woman he had

the inexplicable look in their eyes spoke a thousand words. Derek Harvey's voice snapped both of them back to their senses. “Who the hell are you?” His eyes were narrowed and full of menace as he assessed Nathan, who was dressed in civilian clothes. "Come with me!” Nathan beckoned to Penny with his gaze fixed on her. He did not answer Derek Harvey's question, nor did he spare him a