"Eugene!" Shana furrowed her eyebrows slightly before turning to Billy.
"I'm sorry, Mr Gardner, Eugene didn't mean it that way. Don't take it to heart. He..."
"I meant exactly what I said!" Eugene interrupted her. "I can't stand people who pretend."
"What do you mean you don't have a rank? Except for new recruits, all soldiers have ranks, that's common knowledge. And he doesn't look like a new recruit at all, so how could he not have a rank?"
"Mr Gross, please watch your words." Harleen was slightly annoyed. "My husband said he doesn't have a rank and that's the truth, he has no reason to lie to you."
"Ms Knight, I'm just trying to help you!" Eugene turned towards Harleen. "All soldiers have ranks, if he doesn't have one then he must not be a soldier. Don't let him fool you!"
"Eugene, what's gotten into you? Can't you keep quiet for once?" Shana looked embarrassed and her tone turned cold. She then turned towards Billy and Harleen. "Harleen, Billy, don't be angry with him, Eugene's father being in the military, it's something important for him."
"It's okay." Billy replied Shana and turned to Eugene, "What you call common knowledge is only the tip of the iceberg within military systems, there are countless pieces of information that are beyond your understanding. Don't mistake your ignorance as something worth showing off about, it only makes yourself appear more ignorant."
"Hmm? What did you say? How dare you say I'm ignorant? Do you know who my father is?"
"I don't know and I'm not interested either." Billy gave a faint smile.
"Mr Gardner, I advise you to apologize to Eugene. Maybe he'll let it go for Ms Knight's sake." Lawrence said with a disdainful look at Billy.
"His father is a colonel in the Ozin military district. If you make him angry, you'll have a hard time." He added.
"Oh! A colonel?" Billy laughed again and turned to Eugene. "Does your dad know Roderick?"
"Of course!" Eugene snorted coldly. "Who in Ozin military district doesn't know him?"
"Well, then tell your father to ask Roderick if he knows that there are people in the army without ranks besides new recruits." Billy picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"What do you mean?" Eugene was slightly puzzled.
He had an inkling that Billy might have some background. But this thought only flashed through his mind for a moment since he didn't believe a soldier under 30 years old could possibly have much influence even if they had some background. At most, Billy would be just a lieutenant.
"It doesn't mean anything. Ask your father when he has time." Billy put down his teacup.
"Poser, you're..." Eugene spoke up again.
"That's enough, Eugene. You should stop talking now!" Eloise interrupted him with an annoyed tone of voice before turning to Harleen, "Harleen, let's talk about something else. Have you heard of Heart of the Earth?"
"Heart of the Earth?" Harleen was slightly surprised. "The diamond necklace that has been making headlines worldwide this year?"
"Yes!" Eloise looked longing, "It's so beautiful! If I could wear it for one day, I'd be willing to shorten my life by ten years!"
Harleen chuckled, "Is it really that exaggerated? It's just a necklace!"
"Harleen, it's not just any necklace!" Shana replied with an envious expression. "It's the most perfect gift bestowed upon humanity by God. Whoever possesses it is not only a symbol of status and identity for their entire life, but even for just one day! If someone could trade ten years of their life to wear Heart of the Earth for one day, I bet countless women would do it!"
"Alright then." The two didn't insist on dragging her along and they left together after settling their bill at the restaurant an hour later.
"Harleen, it's still early. Let your husband go back first and we'll all go shopping at night market together!" Eloise suggested again as they arrived at the restaurant entrance.
"We haven't gone out together in a long time!"
"I think I'll pass this time. Tasha is waiting for me at home." Harleen responded with a smile.
"Aww come on! It's still early and besides, doesn't Tasha have her dad?" Shana chimed in.
"But..." Harleen spoke up again.
"Harleen, go ahead. It's rare to hang out with friends. I'll go back first." Said Billy.
"Well... alright, I'll try to come home early." Harleen responded after a brief thought.
"It's okay, you can stay out late. If you get tired from shopping, just give me a call and I'll come pick you up." Billy smiled again.
"Okay." Harleen nodded in agreement.
So the ladies got into Shana's car.
"Now that they're gone, let's continue discussing your rank issue." Eugene spoke up when there were only he, Lawrence and Billy left.
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