The black sedan stopped in front of the Army Club. Sean, dressed in a tailored suit, stepped inside. It felt like a gathering place from the sixties or seventies: soft, melodious classical music, polished marble floors, a vintage wooden bar, and nostalgic furnishings that created the dreamlike sensation of returning to the last century.
"Sean, long time no see."
General Ross sat on a tall swivel stool in his crisp military uniform, a thick cigar pinched between his fingers as pale smoke drifted through the air.
"Please forgive me for not coming to visit recently."
Sean nodded with slight apology. In his current camp, president Underwood and General Ross were two indispensable cards.
The former provided powerful political support, while the latter was responsible for gradually building connections and channels.
"It's understandable for young people to be busy with work. When I was carrying out missions overseas, I could barely look after my family either. Just don't neglect Betty."
The general did not care about such formalities. He smiled and waved a hand, looking every bit as though he truly regarded Sean as his future son-in-law.
This young man possessed remarkable vision and decisive execution, qualities Ross, who had always been demanding and critical, greatly admired. Especially since they already had shared interests, taking things a step further would be of enormous benefit to both his own future and his family.
At his age, retirement was no longer far away. Although the general believed he was still in fine health and capable of accomplishing more, he had reached the stage of life when he needed to consider what came afterward.
General Ross had no worries about money. The military's compensation was quite generous. Even the lowest-ranking brigadier general earned roughly eight to ten thousand dollars a month, while full generals