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.

his mother's passing had forced him into a drunken stupor and left

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

woken up, the lady had

exhausted all the possibilities to find the lady. Unfortunately, all his efforts had come to naught. It was only until recently that he finally got a hold of the information he had been

she was still unmarried. She had given

about the dreadful life that the two had to face over the past few years. Penny, Queenie,

you that there will only be joy and happiness in your lives from

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

face was full of rage as she glared at the fat, pudgy man in front of her. “I'm sorry, Mr. Harvey, but I'm unable to oblige your request.

stood up and turned

on your company's latest lingerie design for couples so that

order for fifty million immediately if I

you a big fat tip of one million as well. How does that sound to you?”

Derek Harvey shrilled at the top

of Channing's upper class

was the ghost that would haunt her for the rest of her life,

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

nothing left to discuss, goodbye!” With his eyes pinned on Penny's alluring body, Derek Harvey refused to relent. He darted his eyes over to the lingerie samples on the table and threatened, “No woman can escape from me once I have my

still resounding in her ears, Penny was instantly

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, “But since you are such a pig-headed

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

two bodyguards grasped her wrists and held

me, please!” Penny screamed at the

of your staff have already left for home.”

Penny's eyes as she plunged into despair, feeling like a trapped animal. She had never expected Derek

her with a sneer on his repugnant

A thunderous thud reverberated around the

such force that it flew off its hinge and landed with a thud right under the nose of Derek Harvey and

good enough

fought back her tears even when Derek Harvey had almost molested her, yet the sight of Nathan made

seeing Penny cry like a baby, melting the

years ago, she had saved

inebriated state, he had taken her by force and

past five years, Nathan had never

she was incontestably the most unforgettable woman he

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.