Divorce Failed! My Wife's Secret Identities Shock the World novel Chapter 281

Andres didn't bother contradicting the man's guess.

He laced his fingers together and, looking entirely at ease, explained to the room, "This streamlined airframe is insulated and soundproofed. Its signal output is only two percent of what an Apache puts out."

"It can also shift color and surface temperature with the environment, making it harder for radar and infrared sensors to pick up."

"My team is finishing the first prototype. If everything stays on schedule, we'll be ready to present it to all of you before the end of next year."

The reason Andres was treated like a national treasure at the highest levels wasn't just because—under the guise of "private capacity"—he handled all sorts of problems the government couldn't touch openly.

He'd also spent a fortune building an elite R&D team, dedicated to developing advanced weapons for the country.

Once its stealth-fighter program matured, Stramont's military and strategic standing would surge.

The four-hour meeting wrapped in a buoyant mood on both sides.

As everyone rose to leave, someone stopped Andres.

"Andres. Stay a minute."

The voice belonged to a man in his early fifties—commanding features, an imposing presence that filled the room without him even trying.

Andres recognized him at once. "Secretary Hugh."

The man who'd called him over was Hugh.

Once the other heavyweights filed out, the cavernous conference room was left with only the two of them.

Hugh smiled. "No need to be formal with me. From now on, just call me Hugh—same as Maeve does."

Andres's mouth twitched.

If Secretary Hugh ever found out that just last night Maeve Vance had tried to rope him into kidnapping this very man, there was no way Hugh would be smiling this pleasantly.

They'd crossed paths plenty of times, but never often enough to be considered close.

Since Hugh had brought up Maeve, Andres didn't bother with polite distance. "Have you met Maeve?"

"Not yet," Hugh said. "When that little rascal finally decides to show her face, I'll treat you two to dinner."

Andres lifted a brow. "You know what my relationship is with Maeve?"

Hugh's smile deepened. "Her father told me. And he asked me to pass along a message."

He spoke like he was reciting someone else's exact words.

"Can you tell me more?"

Hugh shook his head. "I'm only passing along the message. I don't have the details."

"If Maeve hadn't deliberately stirred up such a spectacle this time, I wouldn't even have known Mr. Griffin kept a girl around who gives him headaches."

It wasn't the first time Andres had heard people mention Mr. Griffin.

"Why does everyone call Maeve's adoptive father ‘Mr. Griffin'?"

Respect flickered through Hugh's eyes. "Because Mr. Griffin really is… something else."

Andres's curiosity sharpened. "How ‘something else' are we talking?"

Hugh was a seasoned operator. He knew exactly what to say—and what to keep behind his teeth.

He gave Andres a vague smile. "When you meet him someday, you'll understand."

Andres thought: Anyone who could raise a girl as unpredictable and cunning as Maeve… that man had to be the real deal.

Hugh's voice pulled him back from his thoughts.