Chapter 6 - The Weight of the Badges
"Nobody, Seaman Carter?" Commander Hayes finally turned his head, casting a cold, slicing glare at Ryan that made the newly minted SEAL step backward in pure terror. "Your sister drove through the night straight from a black-site extraction zone in the Indo-Pacific where she personally commanded the intelligence unit that mapped the exact route you used to pass your final infiltration test."
Ryan’s jaw dropped. The gold Trident on his chest suddenly felt heavy and suffocating.
"She didn't sleep for thirty-six hours," Hayes continued, his voice rising so the entire tent could hear every single word. "Not because she didn't care about you, but because her clearance level requires her to brief the Pentagon on high-threat anti-terrorism operations before she is even allowed to attend public events in civilian clothes."
The mother let out a choked, hysterical gasp, sinking heavily into her folding chair. The friends who had praised her moments ago slowly backed away, realizing the monster they had just watched mock and humiliate.
Emily looked down at her narrow silver watch, then up at the commander. "Is the briefing room ready, Commander?"
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"Yes, Captain," Hayes answered immediately, his voice softening with immense reverence. "We've secured the VIP quarters for you."
👉 The title dropped by the commander sent a shockwave through the crowd, but the final blow to the arrogant family was yet to come.
