Draco was shocked beyond belief when he heard those words.
He sniggered obnoxiously and said, "You filthy bastard. Let's see how long you are going to keep up this tough act. You want me to kneel? Not if Major Quinn had anything to say about that.”
Ardal Quinn's voice boomed as he yelled, "Shut up! On your knees and apologize!"
Draco walked smugly toward Nathan and spoke to him in a condescending manner, "Did you hear that? The Major wants you to kneel and apologize..."
Before he finished his sentence, Major Quinn, who stood next to him, was enraged. Then, he let loose his hand and struck Draco across the face with a hard slap!
Slap!
The slap landed squarely on Draco's face and left him dumbfounded.
Draco avoided eye contact with Major
Quinn and spoke sheepishly with his palm on his face, "Major Quinn, why did you..."
Anthony and Grace were left speechless as well by the turn of events.
They did not understand why Ardal Quinn struck Draco. Neither could they fathom why he ordered Draco to kneel and apologize.
However, Ardal Quinn did not have the patience nor time to explain to Draco. He walked frantically towards Nathan and stood to attention. He raised his hand in salute and greeted Nathan. "Major Quinn of the Channing district reporting, Chief!” he hollered.
The dozen over camouflaged soldiers behind Ardal Quinn hurried into position and saluted, "Greetings Chief!"
Chief!
Draco was flabbergasted.
Anthony, on the other hand, was gob smacked.
Meanwhile, Grace was stunned beyond belief.
Everyone was speechless. Even Draco's men, who were on the ground, stopped groaning and watched with their mouths opened.
An eerie silence filled the air as if time stood still.
Nathan maintained a calm face in the presence of the soldiers and said, "You recognize me?"
Ardal put aside his ego and barked out in response, "Sir, yes, sir. You visited camp Channing several times. You also graced the recent award ceremony with your presence."
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