The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven) novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166 Corey Felt Embarrassed

One by one, the other family heads began to speak.

“Corey, your years of service to Vyrdenia are undeniable. Don’t let a moment of frustration undo all that.”

“That’s right. You’ve worked so hard to earn your current position. You really shouldn’t give it up so easily.”

“Corey, look–Lieutenant General Valor is young, and now that she’s been entrusted with building the Hundred–Man Unit as one of the new general’s top lieutenants, it’s understandable that she might come off a little headstrong. We hope you’ll be more forgiving.”

The moment that last sentence dropped, Corey’s expression froze mid–anger.

He stood there, completely stunned, almost disbelieving what he’d just heard.

Had he… heard that right?

She–that girl who looked barely twenty–was the highly favored protégé of the new general? The one Lorne had specifically warned him not to cross? The one Lorne had said he’d personally introduce to him?

No. It couldn’t be. That was absurd. It had to be a mistake:

But just a few steps away, one of the family heads noticed the look on Corey’s face and clearly read his thoughts. Smiling faintly, he said, “Corey, at last night’s banquet, Lorne personally introduced Lieutenant General Valor and confirmed her position. What just happened–chalk it up to a misunderstanding. Why not consider it a case of ‘ no fight, no friendship,‘ eh?”

Even if his heart still reeled from the shock, Corey couldn’t ignore that confirmation.

Whether he liked it or not, he had to face the truth: Raven really was the newly appointed general’s right hand–the one with the power to decide who got into the Hundred–Man Unit.

And with that, his expression began to shift rapidly.

In a rush, memories flooded back–starting from the moment he’d first laid eyes on Raven, trying to recruit her as his subordinate. And not just that, he’d even thrown out an “exclusive” Hundred–Man Unit slot like it was a grand reward.

Now, in hindsight, he’d basically tried to recruit someone who held equal status to him -if not higher–and offered her a position she technically approved herself.

And worst of all?

He’d acted like he was doing her a favor.

Even with all the thick skin he’d developed through decades of military service, Corey wanted nothing more than to crawl into the nearest hole and never come out.

1/2

Chapter 166 Corey Felt Embarrassed

If his old comrades in the military heard about this, he’d never live it down. Not for the

rest of his life.

What made it all worse was how he’d gotten offended–actually offended–when Raven didn’t seem excited about his offer. He thought she was questioning his authority. And so, in a fit of wounded pride, he’d tried to have Caleb “teach her a lesson.”

Hell, he’d even vowed that if she ever made it into the Hundred–Man Unit, he’d resign from Vyrdenia Military altogether.

At this point, Corey was honestly tempted to slap himself senseless.

He had never, in all his years, felt so utterly, irredeemably stupid.

As he struggled to figure out a semi–dignified way to retreat from this mess, he suddenly felt Raven’s gaze fall on him.