Meanwhile, at the Holmes residence, Erwin was sitting on a wooden chair enjoying his tea while he listened to his son's complaints.
Hamish Holmes was also present, standing respectfully beside his father and older brother.
“You have to do something, Dad!” pleaded Carrey with swollen cheeks and blood all over his clothes. After losing several teeth, the injured man had difficulty articulating properly.
Erwin glanced at his eldest son before voicing coldly, “How many times have
I told you not to get into trouble? Now, do you see what happens when you don't listen to me? How is it that your younger brother's more mature than you? If you were even half the man he is, I'd be much less burdened.”
Feeling aggrieved and resentful after listening to his father, Carrey secretly glared at Hamish.
Even though Erwin was not happy with his son's behavior, he set his teacup down and inquired calmly, “What happened? Tell me.”
Only then did Carrey begin to tell his father everything about that night, and when he was done, he continued with his complaining, “It's not my fault. I didn't know that he was the Chief Military Governor! But he didn't seem to care that I was your son. His men cursed at me and even beat us up. I only realized who he was when I asked Will to step in. Dad, I know he's a big deal, but you're part of the Great Cabinet! I don't think it'd be wise to just let this go. He needs to learn to respect you!
Erwin knew Carrey had gotten into trouble but never expected that it was the Chief Military Governor who his son had crossed.
Shocked and furious at the same time, Erwin slammed a hand on the table so hard that his teacup nearly fell off.
“You offended the Chief Military Governor?” exclaimed Erwin furiously. He then turned to order his servants, “Ready my car now! I have to rush over to the Headquarters of the Chief Military Governor to beg for forgiveness.”
“You're coming with me, Carrey.
We re going to apologize to the man,” Erwin ordered his son.
“But I've already done that. Why do I still have to go?” asked Carrey with his eyes widened in shock. “Besides, why does a man of your position need to apologize to him in person?”
“So what if I'm part of the Great Cabinet? Do you think that gives you the right to do whatever the heck you want? If you refuse to go with me, then you get out of this house and stay as far away as possible from us. I'll pretend that I never had a son like you.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Salute To The General (Nathan Cross)