Chapter 5 - Evelyn's Arrogant Scheme Collapses Completely
Evelyn’s face went from pale yellow to a dark, angry crimson as her pride fought against her growing terror.
She pushed her chair back violently, the metal legs scraping harshly against the parquet floor of the ballroom.
“This is absurd!” Evelyn declared, standing up and sweeping her silk shawl over her bony shoulders.
“I am the widow of Colonel Richard Hawthorne! I have served on this base’s advisory board for fifteen years!”
“You cannot speak to me or my son as if we are common criminals over a missing place card!”
General Caldwell didn't even flinch at her theatrical outburst; he simply stared at her with icy indifference.
“Mrs. Hawthorne, your late husband’s service does not grant you immunity from federal regulations,” Caldwell informed her.
“And your position on the civilian advisory board is subject to annual review by my office.”
“A review that is currently scheduled for next Monday morning.”
Evelyn froze, her hand hovering in the air as the threat hit her directly in the only thing she truly cared about—her social standing.
If she was kicked off the advisory board, her status among the base elite would be completely obliterated overnight.
She would be an outcast, a topic of gossiping morning coffee groups rather than the matriarch who ran them.
Audrey Caldwell took another step away, slipping into the crowd of officers to find her father’s aides near the entrance.
She had zero intention of being attached to the trainwreck that the Hawthorne family had suddenly become.
Ethan turned around, looking for Audrey to help smooth things over with her father, but she was already gone.
He was left standing alone between his hysterical mother and his commanding officer, entirely stripped of his unearned confidence.
“Inspector General Vance,” General Caldwell said, turning his back on Evelyn entirely.
“General Sterling and the Undersecretary are seated at Table One. They would be honored if you joined them for dinner.”
“We have several oversight matters regarding the regional budget that require your unique perspective.”
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I stood up slowly, smoothing down the front of my tailored black floor-length gown.
“Thank you, General,” I replied smoothly. “I would be delighted to join Table One.”
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