Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1113

Kingston choked on his words, his brows drawn tight together. He scanned the battered soldiers in front of him. They looked like they’d just crawled out of a nightmare, uniforms ripped to shreds, skin covered in gashes, some wounds still oozing blood.

For the past three months, the Dragonscale squad had been surviving in the jungle, living more like wild animals than men. They had taken on the dirtiest jobs, faced the hardest fights. If they hadn’t cut a path through enemy territory, the main force would have lost at least three times as many people.

They were the nation’s sharpest weapon. But they were also just people.

No matter how harsh the orders from above, Kingston couldn’t bring himself to scold these young men who’d risked everything for their country. The anger in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by a heavy mix of pain and helplessness.

“All right.” Kingston waved a hand, sounding suddenly older than he looked. “You made it out. That’s what matters.”

“You guys, take a break. Get some real rest. I’ll handle the rest.”

With that, the iron-blooded general who’d spent half his life in command squared his shoulders. Then, even though he was standing before his subordinates, he bent at the waist, giving a deep bow to the ragged young soldiers.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

“For everyone who lives on this land, I thank you. Every one of you came home.”

The weight of that gesture was almost overwhelming. Around them, the special forces soldiers felt their eyes sting.

James stepped forward, steadying Kingston’s arm. “Sir, we can’t accept this.”

“Letting the boss slip away was my fault.”

“I’ll have a full report and a new plan for the capture on your desk as soon as I’m back on my feet.”

“No matter where he runs, I’ll bring him in.”

Kingston looked up, meeting the gaze of the young man whose face was streaked with blood and dirt. He’d served in the military his whole life and met all kinds of people—those with talent, those with connections, those with grit. He’d seen it all. But never had he truly admired anyone.

James was different.

Heir to the Nelson family fortune, he could’ve been living in luxury. Instead, he’d chosen hardship, chosen this life. There was a fire in him, something more than just the ruthlessness of a top soldier. He had the heart and principles of a real leader.

Lots of people would do anything to get the mission done. But the ones willing to risk their careers, to defy orders for their brothers—those were rare.

Men like James were the true backbone of the country.

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