Chapter 436

"Beep—beep—beep—"

Sean Shaw stared at the disconnected call, his face dark with fury. It had taken him immense effort just to get this call through—three departments' worth of approvals, endless red tape. And yet, that insolent girl had dared to hang up on him.

Thud!

The receiver slammed back into the cradle.

"Ungrateful brat!" Sean gritted his teeth. "Just like her mother—stubborn and impossible!"

He had planned this perfectly. Once he revealed his identity, she should have been groveling with gratitude. He expected obedience—absolute submission. But instead, the little wretch had talked back!

"Fine. If she won’t take the easy way, she’ll learn the hard way." A cold smirk twisted his lips. "Let’s see how long she lasts in the military."

Straightening his uniform collar, he strode out of the office. This was the provincial military headquarters—without his old friend, Deputy Commander Liam Turner, pulling strings, he wouldn’t even have gotten this call through.

"So? Didn’t go well?"

Liam emerged from the next room, teacup in hand, amusement dancing in his eyes. Childhood friends, he knew all about Sean’s messy past.

"Don’t even ask!" Sean punched the wall. "The little bitch claimed she didn’t know me!"

Liam took a leisurely sip. "Can’t blame her. When was the last time you even fed her? Now you pop up out of nowhere playing father—who wouldn’t be disgusted?"

"But she—"

"Save it." Liam cut him off. "I’ve done some digging. Your daughter’s no ordinary recruit. They call her 'Luna the Needle' in the medical unit. Her acupuncture skills have even the top brass at Central Military Hospital drooling. Several directors have been subtly asking me about transferring her."

Sean’s eyes gleamed.

Now that was unexpected.

He stroked his chin, calculating. If Liam was right, the girl might actually be worth reclaiming. With her in the medical system, the opportunities...

"I just want what’s best for her," Sean sighed suddenly. "What father doesn’t wish happiness for his child?"

Liam nearly choked on his tea.

The old fox. Switching masks faster than flipping a page. One moment cursing her as "trash," the next playing doting dad.

"If you really care," Liam said meaningfully, "don’t rush this. Watch how she performs in the service. When the time’s right..."

Sean narrowed his eyes.

His old friend had a point. If force failed, finesse would do. He’d see just how long her defiance lasted.