Divorced But Not Defeated The Military Queen’s Rise Again novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

“Well, she is a Stonehurst. It’s no surprise she stands out from the crowd.”

Sidonie soaked in the praise, their words like balm for the many years of struggle and ambition that had brought her here.

“Oh, you’re all too kind,” she said with practiced modesty, her smile gracious. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“You really are lucky,” a languid voice drawled. Harlan stared directly at Sidonie. “I heard that back when you were just a regular pilot, you were sent abroad on a relief mission. The co–pilot died overseas, and you, along with the captain, managed to bring back a group of stranded compatriots. That was considered a major contribution, and conveniently fast–tracked your promotion to co–pilot. Otherwise, based on your original record, there’s no way you would’ve advanced so quickly.”

The smile froze on Sidonie’s lips.

Her heart skipped a beat. He looked into my background… That much is clear. But why? I’ve never even met him before today.

A guest, trying to smooth over the sudden tension, interjected, “Well, not everyone has the guts to fly into a war–torn country for humanitarian work. Ms. Stonehurst’s courage is admirable. Most women wouldn’t dare attempt that.”

Harlan let out a low, mocking chuckle. “Sounds like you haven’t met many women.”

The room went quiet. Those who had been quick to sing Sidonie’s praises suddenly found themselves at a loss for words.

Sidonie lifted her chin, her irritation barely concealed. She knew Harlan was not someone to cross lightly, but she wasn’t about to let him casually belittle the achievements she had fought so hard to earn.

“Mr. Ingram,” she said evenly, “while it’s true I/was fortunate to be promoted, co–pilot isn’t a role just any woman can take on. Even with luck, most wouldn’t have the skill, stamina, or resolve to handle the responsibility.”

Harlan let out a quiet laugh, the corners of his mouth curving with mild amusement. “So being a co–pilot is supposed to be impressive? In the military, I’ve met plenty of women who can fly, some better than most men. When I heard about you, I thought you were someone who never stopped pushing forward. But now… it sounds like you think you’ve reached the summit just because you can fly a commercial plane.”

In his mind, a truly impressive woman wasn’t one who basked in accolades. He had seen one.

She had piloted a fighter jet straight through a sky riddled with gunfire, fearless and unwavering. She wasn’t thinking of glory, only of saving lives, comrades and civilians alike, even if it meant never coming back.

The thought of Quinn briefly softened Harlan’s gaze, a flicker of warmth passing through his eyes before vanishing.

Sidonie’s face fluctuated between pale and flushed.

15:53 Sun, Ju

Chapter 41

Harlan’s words had struck her like a slap. The atmosphere in the private room grew noticeably tenser and the others fell silent, none daring to speak further.

Fortunately, Trent stepped in to case the tension. “Mr. Ingram, I’m Trent Grafton of Grafton Technologies. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

followed up. “Mr. Ingram, you’ve only just returned to the country, so you may not have heard. Trent’s something of a rising star in the tech world. His company grew from a modest startup to going public in just three years.”

Trent gave a respectful nod. “I hope we’ll have the chance to interact more in the future. Perhaps even explore opportunities for collaboration.”

“Mr. Grafton is young and talented. No doubt you’ll cross paths again. A partnership could be mutually beneficial,” Hugh said with a smile. For Hugh, the equation was simple: the closer Trent moved to power, the more the Stonehurst family stood to gain, especially with his niece’s growing connection to him.

“Young and talented?” Harlan scoffed, his tone laced with mockery. “Mr. Stonehurst, are you joking with me? You’re seriously calling a man who cheated on his wife promising?”

A heavy silence fell over the room. Everyone’s expressions shifted uneasily as all eyes turned toward Sidonie and Trent.

After all, the scandal from that infamous banquet, where Trent’s mother and sister had schemed against. his wife, attempting to force a divorce so he could be with Sidonie, had long since become fodder for high society gossip.

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