Military 41_The divorced military queen awakens

“Well, she is a Stonehurst. It’s no surprise she stands out from the crowd.”

 Sidonie soaked in the praise, their words like balm for the many years of struggle and ambition that had brought her here.

 “Oh, you’re all too kind,” she said with practiced modesty, her smile gracious. “I just happened to be in the right ce at the right time.”

 “You really are lucky,” anguid voice drawled. Han stared directly at Sidonie. “I heard that back when you were just a regr pilot, you were sent abroad on a relief mission. The co–pilot died overseas, and you, along with the captain, managed to bring back a group of strandedpatriots. That was considered a major contribution, and conveniently fast–tracked your promotion to co–pilot. Otherwise, based on your original record, there’s no way you would’ve advanced so quickly.”

 The smile froze on Sidonie’s lips.

 Her heart skipped a beat. He looked into my background… That much is clear. But why? I’ve never even met him before today. 

 A guest, trying to smooth over the sudden tension, interjected, “Well, not everyone has the guts to fly into a war–torn country for humanitarian work. Ms. Stonehurst’s courage is admirable. Most women wouldn’t dare attempt that.”

 Han let out a low, mocking chuckle. “Sounds like you haven’t met many women.”

 The room went quiet. Those who had been quick to sing Sidonie’s praises suddenly found themselves at a loss for words.

 Sidonie lifted her chin, her irritation barely concealed. She knew Han was not someone to cross lightly, but she wasn’t about to let him casually belittle the achievements she had fought so hard to earn.

 “Mr. Ingram,” she said evenly, “while it’s true I/was fortunate to be promoted, co–pilot isn’t a role just any woman can take on. Even with luck, most wouldn’t have the skill, stamina, or resolve to handle the responsibility.”

 Han let out a quietugh, the corners of his mouth curving with mild amusement. “So being a co–pilot is supposed to be impressive? In the military, I’ve met plenty of women who can fly, some better than most men. When I heard about you, I thought you were someone who never stopped pushing forward. But now… it sounds like you think you’ve reached the summit just because you can fly amercial ne.”

 In his mind, a truly impressive woman wasn’t one who basked in des. He had seen one.

 She had piloted a fighter jet straight through a sky riddled with gunfire, fearless and unwavering. She wasn’t thinking of glory, only of saving lives, </brades and civilians alike, even if it meant never </bing back.

 The thought of Quinn briefly softened Han’s gaze, a flicker of warmth passing through his eyes before vanishing.

 Sidonie’s face fluctuated between pale and flushed.

 15:53 Sun, Ju

 Han’s words had struck her like a p. The atmosphere in the private room grew noticeably tenser and the others fell silent, none daring to speak further.

 Fortunately, Trent stepped in to case the tension. “Mr. Ingram, I’m Trent Grafton of Grafton Technologies. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

 Sensing the shift, Hugh quickl..

 followed up. “Mr. Ingram, you’ve only just returned to the country, so you may not have heard. Trent’s something of a rising star in the tech world. Hispany grew from a modest startup to going public in just three years.”

 Trent gave a respectful nod. “I hope we’ll have the chance to interact more in the future. Perhaps even explore opportunities for coboration.”

 “Mr. Grafton is young and talented. No doubt you’ll cross paths again. A partnership could be mutually beneficial,” Hugh said with a smile. For Hugh, the equation was simple: the closer Trent moved to power, the more the Stonehurst family stood to gain, especially with his niece’s growing connection to him.

 “Young and talented?” Han scoffed, his toneced with mockery. “Mr. Stonehurst, are you joking with me? You’re seriously calling a man who cheated on his wife promising?”

 A heavy silence fell over the room. Everyone’s expressions shifted uneasily as all eyes turned toward Sidonie and Trent.

 After all, the scandal from that infamous banquet, where Trent’s mother and sister had schemed against. his wife, attempting to force a divorce so he could be with Sidonie, had long since be fodder for high society gossip.

 Trent and Sidonie flushed crimson, their confidence evaporating in an instant.

 “It’s a misunderstanding, Mr. Ingram. Just a simple misunderstanding,” Hugh said quickly.

 “Yeah,” Trent added, forcing a smile. “Sidonie and I are just… friends.”

 Han raised an eyebrow, his tone turning dry and cutting. “Quite a close friendship, I hear. I heard that justst month, while your wife was overseas collecting the ashes of her parents, who’d died in a tragic ident, you were here… keeping this ‘friend‘pany.”

 Trent stiffened, blindsided. How does he know that? 

 “At the time, Sidonie’s mother was unexpectedly injured,” Trent offered, trying to salvage the situation, “It happened so suddenly. I had to rush her to the hospital. That’s why I couldn’t apany my wife to collect her parents‘ ashes.”

 “Injured?” Han echoed, his tone ice–cold. “A sprained ankle qualifies as a medical emergency no Sounds like your friend’s mother mattered more to you than your wife’s dead parents.”

 The air turned razor–sharp. Most of the people in the room were seasoned yers in high society. They weren’t so naive as to believe in convenientbels like just friends, especially not when it came from someone who had once hidden his marriage to maintain an illusion of being single.

 And everyone knew the Ingram family’s stanee. Loyalty in marriage was non–negotiable. Infidelity wasn’t just frowned upon; it was a stain, a disqualifier. And Han, raised in that tradition, had nothing but contempt for men who broke their vows. That contempt now hung heavy in the air, directed squarely at Trent. Sympathetic nces were exchanged around the room for Trent and Sidonie.

 ?? ??

17kNovel

Military 41