Salute To The General (Nathan Cross) novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11 A Violent Threat

Paul discovered that Nathan and Benson’s family were dining at Cloud Palace.

Together with Dico and his gang of thugs, Paul Smith and his party were about to storm into Cloud Palace to look for Benson.

A dozen security guards were dressed in suits, standing in front of the entrance like human barricades, barring them from entering the restaurant.

Exasperated, Paul Smith roared at the group of guards, “Get out of my way!”

A man with a large greenish birthmark on the left side of his face stepped up. “We have been instructed by our boss, Mr. Thomas Dunn, not to accept any guests into our restaurant for the time being. Some very important guests of his are dining in our restaurant right now, and Mr. Dunn doesn’t want them to be disturbed,” he announced coldly.

“Get out of my sight, you green-faced monster.” Dico yelled at Jack with a menacing look, “We are here with Mr. Smith to look for somebody, not to wine and dine. Move aside!”

“What nerve you have to come to Mr. Dunn’s turf and make a scene here? Who do you think you are?” Jack tossed his head, “I’m giving you one last chance to get lost, or I’ll make sure that they carry you away in stretchers instead.”

It was an open secret in the Eastern District that Thomas Dunn was the undisputed big daddy in town and that Jack was his most trusted sidekick, who was known to be extremely cruel and ruthless.

As Paul looked over Jack’s shoulder, he could see Nathan dining with Benson and his family inside Cloud Palace.

Given that this was Jack’s territory, Paul knew that he was outnumbered by Jack’s men. Besides, it was only the pill that he had wanted, not a confrontation with Jack and his men.

“Look here, Jack. The guy I’m looking for is sitting right inside. Can you do me a favor and let me in?” Paul Smith turned to a more civilized approach.

But the answer was still the same from Jack, who kept his unapproachable tone, “No. Our guests of Mr. Dunn are still having their meals now. Nobody shall be allowed inside the restaurant. Get your ass out of here or I’ll make you pay for your stubbornness.”

“What’s the plan now, Mr. Smith?” Dico muttered to Paul.

Paul sucked in a deep breath to clear his mind, “Okay, let’s get out of here first,” he ordered, “but leave a guy here to keep a close eye over them, and get him to call us once Benson steps foot out of the place.”

Knowing that he was no match for Jack and his men, Paul did not dare to stir up trouble in Thomas Dunn’s territory. So he took off with his men and left a guy behind to keep a close tab on Benson and his family.

With Paul and most of his men out of the way, Jack did not mind letting the lone guy stayed behind to act as the watchman for Paul, since he knew that Paul was targeting a guest in the restaurant, and not the restaurant itself.

After finishing their lunch, Nathan and Penny’s family walked out of the restaurant.

Paul’s watchman was standing at some distance away from the restaurant when he called up Paul instantly, “Mr. Smith, Dico, they are coming out of the restaurant.”

Bang! Bang! In no time, Paul and Dico, along with a dozen of their men, stormed out of the emergency staircase and charged towards the restaurant.

Benson greeted Paul with a slightly surprised look, “What brings you here, Paul?” he asked.

Paul had never treated Benson with respect. Now that Benson had made him wait for half an hour outside the restaurant, his resentment towards Benson was only increased.

“Stop pretending and give it to me now!” Paul demanded.

“What is it you want from me?” Benson knitted his brows, looking puzzled.

“Give me back my Phoenixia and I’ll let you go.” Paul threatened, “Don’t make me use my fists on you.”

“Since when did Phoenixia belong to you?” His insolence enraged Leah, “Watch your attitude, Paul. Is this how you would ask for a favor from somebody?”

“Phoenixia was given to dad as his birthday present. We have every right to claim it.” Paul presented a smirk and retorted.

“But it doesn’t belong to you anymore, since you’d tossed it to the floor,” Leah shouted back at him.

“It was given to us as a gift and we have the right to do whatever we want with it.” Paul insisted, “We can choose to eat it or dump it, what has it got to do with you?”

“Better heed my call and hand over the Phoenixia immediately. Or else I’ll make you suffer a hefty price for not listening to my advice.”

“Haven’t we seen enough of your bullying and taunting? Do you think that we’ll be intimidated by that?” His words would only aggravate Leah’s rage to the optimum, as she rolled up her sleeves and seethed, “Show me! I can’t wait to see what other tricks you’ve got up your sleeve!”

Their confrontation was turning nasty, and a smell of violence was in the air, which made Queenie shrivel in Nathan’s arms. “I’m afraid, Papa.”