Salute To The General

Chapter 6 An Apology In Person

Nathan lifted Queenie into his arms and consoled the rest of them, “Let's not get upset over it. Who knows? Derek Harvey might turn up at our house all of a sudden and offer his apology.”

His words only aggravated them and elicited a slew of angry remarks.

"What nerve you have to say such a thing!” Leah vented all her rage on him, “Don't you know that it's all because of you? If you didn't beat up Mr. Harvey and May, Samuel wouldn't have come to our house and made a big fuss about it!”

Penny could not blame Nathan since she knew that he had done so because of her.

“You must be out of your mind to say such a thing, Nathan.” She heaved a frustrated sigh, “Why in the world would Mr. Harvey apologize to us? I'll be counting my blessings if he doesn't hold us responsible for beating him up, and it'll be a miracle if he continues his business relationship with Diva.”

“Just relax, everybody,” Nathan said with an air of nonchalance. “I am sure that he will turn up tomorrow to apologize. You can take my word for it.”

Penny and the rest knew better than to take his word. It was simply against Derek Harvey's insolent nature to apologize when he had been humiliated in such a devastating manner. Pigs could fly if that came true!

Even if he found his conscience and became repentant, it was practically impossible for him to show up at their house and apologize, at least from a physical standpoint.

That was because Derek Harvey was still lying in the hospital nursing his broken leg, all thanks to Nathan.

Would it be possible for Mr. Harvey to leave the hospital on crutches and drag himself here to offer an apology? It was simply inconceivable.

Benson's lips curled in disdain at Nathan's whimsical blabbers. “This is not the time for fantastical ideas,” he quipped soberly, “Let's get down to business and think about how we can offer an apology that would please Mr. Harvey.”

“Penny, we'll go to the hospital tomorrow to visit Mr. Harvey and seek his forgiveness. Nathan, you'd better come along with us.”

With those instructions, Benson hoped that they could appease Mr. Harvey when they visited him at the hospital tomorrow. Soon, he and Leah retired for the night.

Meanwhile, Penny brought Queenie to the bathroom for her bath. Nathan took this opportunity to step outside to the balcony and called Colin Dixon, “Colin, I want you to get hold of Thomas Dunn and make sure he..."

That night, Penny struggled to get accustomed to having Nathan sleep in her room with Queenie, even though he was only sleeping on the floor.

She briefed him on some house rules before she went to bed. “I've heard of the unsightly behaviours when men sleep. I'd appreciate it if you could behave yourself and show us some basic decency.”

"Oh?" Nathan was at a loss for words. “Sure!” He replied amusedly.

watched with curiosity as Nathan rolled out a mattress onto the floor. “Mama, why isn't Papa sleeping with

is that?” She chastised, “What makes

on television?” Queenie blinked her innocent

programs are having a bad influence on you.” Penny admonished, “No TV for you for

lips and sulked, wondering what she

morning, the Smiths woke up to

the adults exchanged

kept his composure as he sneaked a glimpse at Nathan. “Tuck in, everybody.” He pulled out a chair and sat down, “There's a long day ahead for us. We need to drop

door, “Hello, is anybody

it be at this

purifiers? Let me get it,” offered Penny as

she opened the door, “W-what are you doing here?” She let out a loud gasp

matter, Penny?

worried when they heard Penny's gasp. They put down their bowls hastily and rushed to the door. They ended up motionless

robe was standing at their door. He was leaning on crutches with his

in suits stood behind the bald

Leah's faces were filled with confusion as

offended Mr. Cross and Ms. Smith yesterday. It

What?

their brains were clogged and their throats

them with a pang as they recalled what Nathan had told them last night. His words had come true - Derek

at the side of the table feeding Queenie from her bowl of cereal. The same question popped up in their minds - could it be him who

herself together. She turned suspiciously to Derek

jerked with fear when Penny

he replied nervously, “I am here today to express my deepest remorse for causing so

prove my sincerity, I'd refused to let them help me when I was climbing up the stairs just now. It took every ounce of my strength and determination to take each step

only made the Smiths feel as if an avalanche of shock waves were banging their heads. Yet it was evidently clear to them that Derek Harvey was

it be

as haughty as Derek Harvey, who behaved like he wore a halo of superiority above his head, to climb six-stories of stairs

as good as asking the sun to rise from the

and fear in Derek Harvey. He desperately needed her to forgive