Salute To The General

Nathan did not return directly to the Headquarters of the Chief Military Governor. Instead, he dropped by the Windsor residence to meet his mentor, Hansel, and update the latter on Zion's situation.

Hansel was left stunned and speechless for a while after he took in everything. Then, he let out a steady sigh. "Zion's a capable fellow, and he's also very tactful around people. Unfortunately, this led him to play a little more loosely with the rules just to deliver the results. It's this very adaptability of his that has turned an insignificant fault into an Achilles' heel that Erwin was able to latch onto to bring about his downfall."

"He won't likely face a prison term, but his career may very well be over," Nathan noted.

Hansel nodded in agreement and sighed. "No bad deed is too small to go unnoticed; that's what they say! Learn your lesson from this, Nathan. The higher you go, the warier you must be, for your bones may be crushed should you fall from the peak!"

"All I've ever done, I've done right by my family, my people, my country, and my own conscience. I have nothing to hide so long as I do not go against this principle," replied Nathan calmly.

Hansel nodded. "I'm sure that you'll do well for yourself. Right. Didn't I mention previously that Erwin isn't suited to become the next president? Have you considered my suggestion of putting you forward as a candidate?"

Pausing briefly, Nathan then replied, "I'd give that serious consideration."

Nathan chatted with Hansel for a while more before he took his leave.

On the way back to the Headquarters of the Chief Military Governor, Colin was at the wheels while Nathan rested in the backseat with his eyes closed.

Midway, Nathan spoke up without opening his eyes and without warning, "Is there a black Crown that has been on our tail for some time now?" Whilst driving, Colin had been under the impression that Nathan was asleep, and so he jumped when he heard Nathan speak up suddenly. Reflexively, he peered into the rearview mirror and saw that there was indeed a black-colored Crown following their convoy.

Colin sifted through his memories with the speed of a camera shutter and answered immediately, "This black Crown has been on our tails since that traffic light right after we exited the Windsor residence. It has been behind us across five streets already."

Whether it was coincidence or the tailing black Crown had caught on, the car made a right at the junction behind them while Colin was speaking and broke away from Nathan's convoy.

"That black Crown behind us turned right. I suppose that it just happened to be headed in the same direction as us just now," Colin quickly concluded. Opening his eyes slowly, Nathan regarded the view outside the window and replied calmly, "I hope so."

Back at the Headquarters of the Chief Military Governor, Penny, carrying her daughter in her arms, approached at the head of a group consisting of Benson, Leah, and Kylie.

"Welcome back, Hubby. Queenie would like to have ribs for dinner today, so we're preparing to head out. Do you want to join us?" said Penny, smilingly.

Nathan replied with a smile, "Come

to think of it,ve been so busy ever since we moved to Brimmopolis that I haven't had the opportunity to enjoy the local delicacies together with the rest of you. Now that have some time, let me take you all out for Brimmopolis' famed ribs!"

Queenie could hardly contain herself. "Oh, yeah!"

Nathan then had Colin and Ava prepare the car to head over to Touchet's for dinner.

Although Touchet's wasn't a

well-known restaurant among the

regular locals, it boasted of a relatively solid following within Brimmopolis' upper class. Many folks of wealth and prestige enjoyed dining there, and it was said that it served the most authentie ribs Brimmopolis had to offer. Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

Having dined there several times prior, Nathan found the food there quite to his liking and thus decided to take his own family there.

After Colin and Ava got the car ready, Nathan and his family got in and set off together.

En route, Nathan felt something amiss and would ever so often glance over his shoulder past the back windshield. In spite of that, he said nothing, owing to the presence of his family.

Upon their arrival at the parking lot of Touchet's, and when it was time to alight, Nathan smiled and said, "Honey, I've already had someone make a reservation for a private room -Cocorico. You should all head in first, as I have some stuff that I need to get Colin to do."

"All right!" Penny replied.

Soon after, Penny took Queenie and the others into the restaurant while Nathan, Colin, and the Elite Eight propped up the rear.

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As he walked, Nathan said to Colin flatly, "I've verified that we're being followed. This time, the fella who's onto us has two or three vehicles with him. One's a black Cedric, another's an Accord, and the third's a Passat. The three of them have been taking turns tailing us, with each swapping after covering five streets. Look into their

backgrounds."

"Understood!" Colin replied in affirmation.