Chapter 521 - The Formal Ceremony (4)

31 May, Military Base, City KFind authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click /book/the-soldier-husband_15095783406874805/the-formal-ceremony-(4)_50784876940542952 for visiting.

Matthew stood listening in depth to the conversation between General Man and Head Honcho. While he disagreed with moving Robert Hung away from his direct supervision, the decision to promote and reassign was something outside his control. Those in the capital were too concerned about keeping David Hwang happy, with Robert being his cousin. The only good thing was that the decision had not been confirmed until the early hours of this morning, preventing the invitation being sent to David Hwang. That was a blessing, as it would expose the faces of many within the special forces group here to him.

"Earth to General Rong?"

Matthew shook his head, and said "Yes General Man?"

"You seemed lost in thought?"

"Somewhat. We all know how important these ceremonies are to members of the special forces groups. It is the only time that our families get to recognise our work, even though the details are not made public. The lateness of the decision regarding Major, no Colonel Hung promotion and reassignment…"

"Cannot be helped. While we could have invited his cousin, as he has the requisite clearance because of this company's government work, his fiancée does not have clearance to be here, despite her friendship with you…"

"Yet you allowed my in-laws and Colonel Pang's in-laws attend. Talk about double standards General Man."

Head Honcho stood there quietly. Matthew's tactic was obvious to be the person protecting his subordinates. The reality, as the two of them knew was far from the truth. There was no way that they would want David Hwang anywhere near this event, given what they knew. He was a terrorist, pure and simple. Letting him come here would enable him to identify all special forces members here, risking their ability to act when he executed his plan. How clever Matthew was in asking for the confirmation to be delayed to the last minute so they could have the situation they wanted.

Head Honcho said "That was my call, not General Man's decision. But there is another reason for that, as your friend Paul Gu is to receive a civilian commendation from us, with everything he has done with the hotel incident and then with the two terrorist attacks activating civilian resources with other private hospital groups to assist the public and military hospitals deal with the situation. And Police Liaison Officer Nang…"

"Other than being your daughter's boyfriend? "

"Did you not realise when you settled your wife on the stage, that there were more seats there than needed for the general's and their spouses present?"

"You think I am stupid, boss, I saw that, but figured someone would let me know specifically what it was about?"

"John Nang is to be awarded a police commendation medal, and given his work is with the special forces it cannot be awarded at public ceremonies, so this was the only option. His parents refused the invitation, but his sister is here."

Matthew shook his head. He should have realised. These ceremonies were always shrouded in secrecy and surprises always happened. Promotions announced, honours given that people did not know about. Why should he be surprised.

Looking between General Man and Head Honcho, Matthew said "You two better keep me out of that last failure." He slightly turned and looked Head Honcho in the eyes before adding "You better be prepared for the fall-out with the Nang's, who if I am reading things right may eventually become your future in-laws."

"The Nang's do not worry me. If I can survive the years with my wife's brothers, they will be easier. It is my wife and daughter that I am more worried about. They will be furious with me for not saying anything."

"Boss, you know your daughter is already annoyed with you over the other day…"

Laughing General Man said "I heard how her identity as your daughter was exposed. General Li, if you do not want her, I would happily have her become part of the base legal team. Such a talent deserves proper recognition."

"Just because you lost out when she was assigned to the Special Forces legal team, you now want to come and try and poach one of our top legal minds, both in domestic and international law, forget it. And before you say a thing, I would be telling you that, even if she was not my daughter."

Laughing General Man, said as he walked away "We will see General Li, we will see."

As General Man moved out of earshot, Head Honcho said "Athos, you like pushing things."

"Hey boss, you agreed to the strategy. Delay the appointment and promotion to the last minute, and then play the good guys, because it achieved our goal of keeping David Hwang away to protect the identity of lower-level special forces members, because we will need them when he acts. You know my identity, and to a point Aramis, Porthos and D'Artagain identities have been exposed to him and that will limit our ability to act, at least in the early phases…"

"Do you think he knows about Bronwyn's identity?"

"What as? A member of special forces? Likely, because of her actions at the hotel. But as your daughter or her being the Eng Group Princess of her generation? Unlikely. While senior special forces members know of her identity as your daughter, most members do not. Plus, it does nothing for Robert Hung to expose it, because his current assignment and new assignment will have him working with her and will place him at risk to other criminal and terrorist elements if it is exposed."

"You better be right on that, because there will be hell to pay if your planning and scheming backfires and she is at risk."

"I am not that dumb, and do not forget she is quite capable of protecting herself if it comes to that. In some respects, her skill set is such that if she was not a woman, she would be one of the first officers called for any international deployments. We just know some deployments would not take to a woman officer being actively deployed…"

-------

If you are reading this novel anywhere other than at or its apps then you are reading work that has been stolen in breach of the authors rights and those rights assigned to others.

Please support this author and only access this novel through at /book/15095783406874805 and report the illegal posting of this work.