Unknowingly, the cigarette between his fingers had burned down. He fished out another cigarette from his pocket, flicked the lighter, and a blue flame ignited it. He took a deep drag, white smoke wafting gently from his nostrils. The most unforgettable memory of Lieutenant Cooper Pearl perhaps was not that night, with bright red blood and pale yellow brain matter splattered on the pure white snow like blooming plum blossoms, but rather when he had just enlisted, being locked in a dilapidated warehouse for three days and nights by some prankster veterans. It was Lieutenant Cooper who ordered his men to release him, and it was this man who first taught him how to use a gun.
…
“Report, sir, may I come in?” A familiar male voice sounded from outside the door.
He extinguished the cigarette, took two steps to the desk, quickly tucked the photo and documents into the drawer, and sat upright in the black chair, slightly raising his head and raising his tone to respond, “Come in.”
The door opened, and Captain Jacob walked straight in, holding a colorful paper box.
“Do you have something to discuss?” He frowned and asked softly, his gaze fixed on the box in Jacob’s hands.
“I just delivered Miss Gianna back to the villa and handed her over to the butler, but her emotions are quite unstable,” Captain Jacob reported seriously, then added, “General, I apologize for what happened earlier.”
“Alright, I understand. You can return to work,” he did not intend to hold this loyal subordinate accountable for the matter. Since it had already happened, discussing it further was pointless. What he needed most was some time alone to quietly think about how to handle this tricky situation.
“This is something you left in the car.” Jacob paused for a moment, carefully placing the box on the corner of the desk. It was a cake box with the slogan “Sweet, Delicious, Authentic” printed on it, adorned with a half-dried rose on the lace trim.
He accepted Captain Jacob’s gesture but waited a few seconds, still not seeing him leave.
“Do you have anything else?” He fixed his gaze on Captain Jacob, his expression no longer gentle.
“Forgive me for being blunt, General,” Captain Jacob stepped forward, standing in front of the black desk. He knew this was a dangerous move, but he gathered his courage and said seriously, “Perhaps she is a good woman, but she is not suitable for you.”
He snorted coldly, a smile appearing at the corner of his lips, but his ice-blue eyes were filled with a chilling light. “I guess you’ve wanted to say that for a long time. But don’t you think your words contradict your actions? I did not authorize you to let her in.”
“Sorry, General, I didn’t expect Miss Gianna to encounter Lieutenant Roman here. Lieutenant Roman’s promotion order was personally signed by the commander. He has been in the military since the last war, previously serving as the ‘family orchestra conductor’ in naval intelligence, gathering valuable information while undercover in England, and thus received the Iron Cross…”
“Enough! Are you saying he possesses the qualities of a professional spy? Lieutenant Andres Jacob, you placed such an easily captured fool in the art school? What I want is that Soviet female spy lurking in the occupied zone, that cunning ‘cat’! But how could the name ‘Mountain Eagle’ appear on the opposition’s list? Don’t tell me he expects to uncover any truth in the security police’s prison?! Now this fool is swaggering around in this building!”
“I’m very sorry, General, this is my negligence.” Captain Jacob lowered his head, his expression grave. He had followed this man for three years and had never seen him so agitated. Perhaps he should have kept quiet, but the emotions surging in his chest compelled him to speak again, “Please forgive me, in fact, I have reported to you more than once that he previously served in naval intelligence…”
Captain Jacob’s words were only half-finished, not because he was intimidated by the man’s dark expression, but because he clearly understood that this man was seriously considering the entire situation. “It’s my poor judgment in personnel; I am willing to accept punishment.”
He lowered his ice-blue eyes. “Are you done speaking? Put the box on the coffee table, and you may leave.”
Watching this efficient, slender subordinate leave, he could no longer contain the flames of anger in his chest. He abruptly stood up from behind the desk and walked to the window. This was the most secluded and highest room in the small building, allowing a view of Brussels Square through the narrow window. Across the square stood a magnificent building, its white marble walls shining in the sunlight, with an impressive entrance flanked by tall columns, the national flag, party flag, and military flag fluttering in the wind. That was the Imperial Navy Command.
