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.

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

and tried to give him a hand. But his desires, aroused by drunkenness, got the better of him as he forced

the time he had woken up,

grueling 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

him that her name was Penny Smith, and that she was still unmarried. She had given birth to a

had to face over the past few years. Penny, Queenie, I know it

there will only be joy and happiness in your lives from now on, he

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

“I'm sorry, Mr. Harvey, but I'm unable to oblige your request. I'm

she stood up and turned

leaving. “Don't be mad, Ms. Smith.” His lips widened into a nauseous grin, like a hungry wolf baring its fangs. “All I'm asking is for you to put on your company's latest lingerie design for

I'll place an order for fifty million immediately

top it off, I'll give you a big fat tip of one million as well. How does that

Derek Harvey shrilled at

past, our beloved daughter of the Smith Family? Every member of Channing's upper class

was the ghost that would haunt her for the rest of her life, a perpetual shame that would forever plague the reputation

to her. She had never expected Derek Harvey

you. There's 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

in her ears, Penny was instantly cornered by two

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, “But since you are such a pig-headed fool, I'm afraid that I'll have to resort to physical

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

her

Penny screamed at the top

save your breath, my dear. I've picked this hour for our meeting as all of your staff have already left for home.” Derek Harvey flashed

like a trapped animal. She had never

why are you crying? Daddy is here..." Derek Harvey pressed closer to her with a sneer on his repugnant face, spinning his nasty web around Penny, who had been pinned down by his

thunderous thud reverberated around

room's door was booted open with such force that it flew off its hinge and landed with a thud right under the nose of Derek Harvey and his men, leaving them in

His strong, lean body looked as fit as a professional athlete, while his exquisite looks appeared good enough to grace the cover of magazines. He was Nathan Cross. Penny gave a start the moment she saw Nathan - it's

her, yet the sight of Nathan made her tears run like rivulets

seeing Penny cry like a baby, melting the layers of ice

ago, she had saved him in a chance

her by force

the past five years, Nathan had never stopped looking

night; she was incontestably

again, 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