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.

a mattress onto the floor. “Mama, why isn't

pass it off as anger. “What silly question is that?” She chastised, “What makes you think that Mama and Papa have to

what they always do on television?” Queenie blinked her

are having a bad influence on you.” Penny

wondering what she had done to

Smiths woke up to a wonderful

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

a breakfast packed with nutrients. The table was filled with cereal, eggs, milk, and fruits. Benson 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 Queenie off at kindergarten and buy some fruits and flowers before we visit Mr. Harvey at the hospital.” He muttered, “Let's pray that

barely ended his mutterings when somebody knocked at the door, “Hello, is anybody at home?” Came a polite voice from

could it be at this hour?” frowned

us some water purifiers? Let me get it,”

when she opened the door, “W-what are you doing

matter, Penny? Who's

gasp. They put down their bowls hastily and rushed to the door. They ended up motionless at the door with their mouths hanging

donning a white patient's robe was standing at their door. He was leaning on crutches with his left leg

men in suits stood behind the bald man. They appeared to be his

with confusion as they

Oceana Corporation.” The bald man introduced himself with a cheesy grin on his face, “I'm deeply sorry for having offended Mr. Cross and Ms. Smith yesterday. It has hit me with such terrible remorse that I could scarcely sleep or eat. That's why I'm here this morning

What?

if their brains were clogged and their throats stuck with

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

to look at Nathan, who was sitting at the side of the table feeding Queenie from her bowl of cereal. The same

down her shock as she tried to pull herself together. She turned suspiciously to Derek Harvey, “Are you

jerked with fear

replied nervously, “I am here today to express

when I was climbing up the stairs just now. It took every ounce of my strength and determination to take each step at a time

if an avalanche of shock waves were banging their heads. Yet it was evidently clear to them that Derek Harvey was speaking nothing but the truth, judging by the redness of his face, his

it be

have frozen over if 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

was virtually as good as asking the

response from Penny compounded the anxiety and fear in Derek Harvey. He desperately needed her to