Madame Rosalind woke up in the hospital soon after, but her face was ashen and her eyes were glazed. It was as if she had aged ten years in a single instant.

  No matter what Vivienne asked, the Madame could only stammer, "My husband... he..." before dissolving into tears again.

  Vivienne initially thought Commander Ramon was trying to divorce her. Deciding it was best not to pick at a fresh wound, she followed the Madame’s silent wishes and fed her two or three spoonfuls of jam.

  About half an hour later, Rosalind’s two children—her 24-year-old daughter, Tatiana, and her 21-year-old son, Domenic—stepped into the ward.

  Vivienne had met them a few times. Neither of them had the kind of face that was stunning at first glance, but they had a quality that grew on you the more you looked. Perhaps it was because of their impeccable upbringing.

  When one learns proper etiquette from a young age and lives a life free of want, they develop an air of confident composure. That was how Vivienne summarized the siblings.

  "Mom, what happened?" Tatiana rushed to her mother's bedside and took her hand.

  "You two, thank Auntie Vivienne first. She saved me."

  The siblings stood side-by-side and bowed to Vivienne. "Thank you, Auntie, for saving our mother."

  Vivienne didn't want to make a big deal of it and simply waved her hand.

  "What exactly is going on, Mom?" Domenic asked.

  "Your father brought a gun into the meeting and threatened the Chief. He’s likely going to be court-martialed. I... I don't know what to do. Our family doesn't have many people in high office. There's nowhere to turn for help."

  "This..."

  The siblings and Vivienne looked at each other in stunned silence.

  Vivienne’s ex-husband, Leo, came from a military dynasty, so she was all too familiar with these matters. Since Commander Ramon had pulled such a stunt, forget about being reinstated—he’d be lucky to get a light sentence.

  She could only sigh.

  She sighed because she felt she had wasted an investment on a social connection, resulting in a total loss with no return. But in the eyes of Madame Rosalind and her two children, Madame Vivienne seemed like a true kindred spirit; even though it was their family facing such a crisis, Vivienne was there to share in their sorrow.

  A friend in need is a friend indeed!

  The sound of rapid footsteps echoed from the hospital corridor again. This time, it was Commander Ramon’s orderly.

  "Caspar! What exactly happened?" Rosalind sat up abruptly the moment she saw him.

  "Madame..." Caspar recounted the events of the meeting in vivid detail. He even described the reactions of Antonio and the other officers after Ramon was hauled away. However, he didn't dare mention the next strategic moves planned by Bernardo and Antonio.

  Leaking military deployments was a serious crime.

  To Vivienne, the details Caspar provided were priceless first-hand intelligence. She quickly analyzed the information and reached a conclusion: Bernardo wanted to escalate the riots. He was on the same side as Gustavo, the man Vivienne was supposed to meet tonight.

  Antonio is hiding his hand so well!

  Though Vivienne utterly loathed Antonio as a person, she had to admire his competence.

  "So... is there any hope for my husband to be reinstated?"

  Caspar shook his head. "I'm afraid it's unlikely, Madame. The word in the barracks is that the military court will intervene soon. Currently, the Commander is facing at least three charges: illegal possession of a weapon, threatening a superior, and rebellion."

  "My God! How could he be so foolish?" Madame Rosalind finally broke down, burying her face in her hands and sobbing.

  "Is there any way for my father to be pardoned?" Tatiana asked.

  "That’s why I’m here," Caspar replied. "I wanted to ask if you know anyone at least at the Commander's rank. If we can stop the military court from intervening before tomorrow, this whole thing could be treated as if it never happened, since no physical harm was done. Another way is to find someone to convince Bernardo to drop the charges."

  Rosalind sat on the bed, shaking her head in despair.

  She was just a woman; what high-ranking officials did she know? The women at the Ladies' Club were probably praying for her husband to lose his position so their own husbands could move up.

  The siblings lowered their heads in front of Caspar.

  "Sigh!" Caspar was about to turn and leave.

  "Officer, wait," Vivienne suddenly called out.

  "Hmm? You called for me, Madame?" Caspar looked at Vivienne with confusion.

  "I’ve thought of someone. Maybe we can try."

  Vivienne’s words made the mother and children straighten their backs, their eyes lighting up.

  "Antonio. Perhaps he can do it." Vivienne’s logic was that if Antonio wanted to take down Bernardo, he might need Ramon as an ally. To get something useful out of Ramon, he might step in. If a man like Antonio pulled some strings, Ramon might avoid a prison sentence.

  When the time came, this family would owe her a massive favor.

  And even if Antonio couldn't do it, she’d be dumping a "dirty, exhausting job" on his lap, which would satisfy her urge for petty revenge!

  But Madame Rosalind’s heart sank when she heard Antonio’s name. Her husband had always called him a "pretty boy" who played both sides and had recently been usurping power. Their relationship was terrible.

  Caspar had just said that it was Ramon’s insults toward Antonio that triggered Bernardo’s fury. Seeking help from Antonio felt like asking for a public humiliation.

  Tatiana, however, deeply admired Vivienne’s insight. Her dream was to be a powerful woman like Vivienne and start her own business. "Auntie Vivienne, if you say Commander Antonio can save my father, I trust you. But why would Antonio help him? Aren't they rivals?"

  "That..." Vivienne found it hard to answer. Some things—including her own history with Antonio—couldn't be said aloud. "I just have a gut feeling. I think Antonio will help."

  Only Caspar appreciated Vivienne’s sharp eye. "Vice-Commander Antonio was actually promoted by the Army Chief, Ricardo. If he’s willing to act, even if Commander Ramon isn't reinstated, there's a huge chance for a pardon. The question is... will he help?"

  "What does Antonio like? We don't have much money," Domenic asked.

  He meant that they couldn't produce a massive sum like Vivienne could. It wasn't that they were broke—his father had been an officer for years, and they had a few properties and tens of thousands of dollars in savings—but you couldn't just say that out loud.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Madame Rosalind glared at her son. Because Domenic was the "golden boy," the family had never dared tell him that Antonio supposedly liked men. It seemed they had overprotected him.

  "He likes men who are more handsome than you," Tatiana muttered irritably.

  Domenic was instantly offended. "Who says I'm not handsome? My classmates at school say I could be a male model! I'm tall, good-looking, and masculine!"

  "Tch!" Tatiana was often left speechless by her brother’s delusional confidence, which he had apparently picked up while studying in the UK.

  "Mom, I'll go try. Maybe Antonio will like me."

  "What?!" Madame Rosalind’s anger flared so high she wanted to beat her son to death. She was panting for breath. Finally, she gave herself an out: "Your father is in this state, and you're still joking?"

  "I'm not joking! My father is in trouble; why should I care about my pride as a man?"

  "Oh, heavens!" Madame Rosalind pulled the covers over her head, likely feeling she couldn't face the world anymore.

  Vivienne suppressed the urge to laugh.

  However, since she had been the one to make the suggestion, she would naturally see the good deed through to the end. "How about this: Antonio should be getting off work around now. I’ll go to the barracks gates myself to see him and test his attitude."

  The group gasped in shock. "You can actually see him?"

  Vivienne intentionally misled them: "Yes. He’s been to my ballroom for drinks a few times and gave me an 'opening' to meet him. I haven't used that favor yet."

  "Domenic, if you're really that confident in yourself, come with me."

  Seeing the look on Domenic’s face—like he had just swallowed a fly—Vivienne finally burst out laughing.

  "I'm coming too!" Tatiana stood by the door, as if afraid her mother would stop her.

  As Vivienne prepared to leave, Madame Rosalind grabbed her hand. "Sister, to be honest, I am so grateful to you. Regardless of whether this works, I will never forget this."

  "You just called me 'sister,' yet you're talking about gratitude? Isn't that a contradiction?" Vivienne smiled. "He’s my 'brother-in-law' too, then. No need for thanks. I'll take them now. Don't do anything rash; take care of your health."

  Rosalind let go and nodded.

  Antonio was sitting in his Jeep, heading toward the Army Chief’s office, when his path was blocked at the barracks exit by another Jeep.

  It was Vivienne’s license plate.

  He got out and walked to her window, looking slightly annoyed. "What's this? You didn't tell me you were coming. I'm on my way out for urgent business."

  Only when he treated someone as family would he show such a petty temper.

  "I just arrived and was about to have the guard announce me... someone wants to see you..." Vivienne opened the door and introduced the siblings who had just stepped out.

  Antonio recognized them immediately as Ramon’s children. He had seen their photos in Ramon’s office. More importantly, their faces were practically carved from the same mold as Ramon’s.

  "I’m actually heading out specifically because of your father's matter," Antonio said. "Speak. What is your request? I'll see if I can do anything."

  Tatiana was stunned that Vivienne had so much "face" with Antonio. She spoke up before her brother could. "Could we request your help to get my father reinstated?"

  Antonio could only manage a bitter smile.

  Seeing his reaction, tears began to well up in Tatiana’s eyes. "Is it that hard? I'm sorry... was my request too high?"

  "What about a pardon? Is that possible?" Domenic asked.

  Domenic had planned to flaunt his masculine charm, but he realized that not only was Antonio more handsome than him, but he also looked... straight.

  Having studied in the UK, his classmates had drilled him on how to "spot a gay man." He was now certain Antonio was a straight man.

  "Sigh..." Antonio sighed as well. "The mess your father made is massive. Even the Army Chief wouldn't dare guarantee a pardon. How could I? If you could see the President or the Minister of Defense, there might be a sliver of hope. But if you were the President, would you want your subordinates threatening people with guns in meetings? If that door is opened, will the country ever know peace? Will every internal meeting turn into a shootout?"

  The siblings were rendered speechless.

  "If you could just do your best to help..." Domenic stammered.

  "Enough. Don't mention money; I don't need it. I'm going to see Ricardo right now to try and save him. Whether it works or not is in the hands of fate."

  With that, Antonio got back into his car. The engine roared, and the military vehicle swerved around Vivienne’s Jeep and sped away.

  Tatiana stared blankly at the receding taillights.

  This man is too handsome. He’s decisive, direct, and doesn't care for money. Who on earth called him a 'pretty boy'?

  Vivienne was about to get in her car when she spotted Rocco standing at the barracks gate, surrounded by seven or eight guards of varying heights.

  "What's going on, Rocco? Why are you working here?"

  "Whoa!" the guards all shouted in unison.

  Vivienne understood instantly. Rocco had clearly been bragging about knowing Madame Vivienne. She couldn't let him lose face, so she walked over gracefully and handed him a 50% discount voucher.

  "Officer Rocco, when are you coming back to The Crystal Palace? Remember to give them my name for a 50% discount."

  "Whoa!" the guards shouted again.

  Rocco took it with both hands and blew a kiss to the voucher in front of his comrades. "I told you I knew the noble Madame Vivienne! Do you believe me now?"

  The men nodded like chickens pecking for grain, lining up to shake Vivienne’s hand and then kissing their own palms afterward.

  "So, Rocco, why are you working here?" Vivienne repeated.

  Rocco started cursing at the top of his lungs. "It’s that rotten-ass Antonio! He took a liking to some handsome gate guard and kicked me to the curb! I heard he even raped the Chief of Intelligence today. That Chief came out of his room... tsk tsk... there was blood soaking through the seat of his pants..."

  "Pfft!" Vivienne covered her mouth and laughed out loud.

  She had known Antonio for over twenty years, and this was probably the most brutal slander he had ever suffered from a subordinate.

  Standing next to her, Domenic’s face turned pale.

  What? Did I misread him? Antonio is supposed to like women!