Salute To The General (Nathan Cross) novel Chapter 2348

Over the following week, Derrick stuck to the plan and carried it out accordingly.

On Sunday, Nathan and Kylie were playing with Queenie in the backyard when Colin and Thomas arrived.

“Mr. Cross!” Thomas called from afar as he hastened his stride.

Nathan reciprocated the greeting with a nod. “It's been a while, Thomas.

What have you been up to?"

Thomas presented a box in response, still smiling from ear to ear. “I've been in Marsingfill for a trip, Mr. Cross. Here are some caviar and jerky, two of their best exports! I've enjoyed them during my stay and thought to share some with you.”

Nathan smiled. “How kind of you.”

After having Colin put the box away, Nathan turned his attention back to Thomas. “Marsingfill's biggest export isn't food or drink. I think we all know you were there for the casinos, weren't you?”

Thomas suddenly looked uncomfortable.

Only expecting to tease his subordinate, Nathan did not expect that to be the very purpose of his visit.

His brow tensed for a moment before relaxing again.

“See to it that Queenie finishes her homework,” he said to Kylie.

Kylie nodded and took Queenie indoors.

Remaining in his wicker armchair, Nathan surveyed the other two. Thomas looked embarrassed while Colin narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

Nathan took a sip of his hot tea and spoke again when Queenie and Kylie disappeared back into the house. “Why don’t you tell me what's going on?”

“Tell you what, Mr. Cross?” Thomas said timidly.

Nathan scowled. “The honest account of how much money you've lost in Marsingfill! We both know you're not here to give me canned goods, so why don't you get to the point?”

Thomas fell to his knees, trembling. “General, forgive me! I must have known better than to lie to you. It is true that I have lost a lot of money in Marsingfill. If I don't find a way to repay my debt and loans, I might have to auction off all my properties! I would not have come to you if I had any other choice.”

As the man on his knees before him had been a brother-in-arms during the war, Nathan recalled how Thomas had been loyal to him over the past few years in Channing. There were times when he had to be admitted to the hospital as a result of being injured in the line of duty.

I'm sure he didn't intend to lose the money. There's no use crying over spilled milk.

With that in mind, Nathan spoke in a calm voice after several moments.

“How much do you owe?”

Thomas took a shuddering breath. “Cash alone is two hundred million. The debts that I owe amount to almost a billion. My debtors over at Marsingfill keep urging me to pay off."

“You seemed to have developed an insatiable appetite to play with such high stakes, Thomas.” Nathan shot daggers at him as he remarked.

“I only intended to treat myself,” Thomas sobbed. “The boss of the casino told me that Alicia, the world-famous celebrity was there. The price of admission into the exclusive lounge and an autograph cost only a hundred million in chips, so I..."

“I've heard enough,” Nathan said as the other's voice trailed off. “I'm only going to ask you this once. If I take care of your debt for you, are you going to go back to your old habits?”

Thomas shook his head earnestly. “No, General. Never again.”

Nathan nodded. “I do not wish to watch you being forced to lose all of your assets to settle your debt. If you do, you may never recover from it. I'll lend you a billion, but you will use it to settle your debt instead of gambling it away. I want you to turn over a new leaf from now on, or I'll take away all of your businesses. Do you understand?”

“Y-Yes, General,” Thomas stammered.

“I will never gamble again.”

Nathan summoned Penny. “Transfer a billion to Thomas, will you?”

Though Penny was curious as to why Thomas would need that amount of money, she was tactful enough not to ask why. “Sure. I'll have the staff do it right away.”