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.

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

“What silly question is that?” She chastised, “What makes

that what they always do on television?” Queenie blinked her innocent

you.” Penny admonished, “No

sulked, wondering what she had

the Smiths woke

noticed the scrumptious spread Nathan had prepared, the adults exchanged glances at each other

“Tuck in, everybody.” He pulled out a chair and sat down, “There's a long day ahead for us. We need to drop Queenie off at kindergarten and buy some fruits and flowers before we visit Mr. Harvey at the hospital.” He muttered, “Let's pray that

somebody knocked at the door, “Hello, is anybody at home?” Came a polite voice from outside

be at

looking to sell us some water purifiers? Let me get it,” offered Penny as she headed

be...” Penny's eyes popped out when she opened the door, “W-what are

Penny? Who's at the

gasp. They put down their bowls hastily and rushed to the door.

bald, middle-aged man donning a white patient's robe was standing at their door.

suits stood behind the bald man. They

were filled with confusion as they

and Ms. Smith

What?

him with unbelieving eyes. As if their brains were clogged and their throats stuck with

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

the three of them twisted their heads to look at Nathan, who was sitting at the side of the table feeding Queenie from her bowl

to pull herself together. She turned suspiciously to Derek

jerked with fear

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

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 at a

it was evidently clear to them that Derek Harvey was speaking

could it

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

asking the sun to rise from

and fear in Derek