Andres didn't bother contradicting the man's guess.
He laced his fingers together and, looking entirely at ease, explained to the room, "This streamlined airframe is insulated and soundproofed. Its signal output is only two percent of what an Apache puts out."
"It can also shift color and surface temperature with the environment, making it harder for radar and infrared sensors to pick up."
"My team is finishing the first prototype. If everything stays on schedule, we'll be ready to present it to all of you before the end of next year."
The reason Andres was treated like a national treasure at the highest levels wasn't just because—under the guise of "private capacity"—he handled all sorts of problems the government couldn't touch openly.
He'd also spent a fortune building an elite R&D team, dedicated to developing advanced weapons for the country.
Once its stealth-fighter program matured, Stramont's military and strategic standing would surge.
The four-hour meeting wrapped in a buoyant mood on both sides.
As everyone rose to leave, someone stopped Andres.
"Andres. Stay a minute."
The voice belonged to a man in his early fifties—commanding features, an imposing presence that filled the room without him even trying.
Andres recognized him at once. "Secretary Hugh."
The man who'd called him over was Hugh.
Once the other heavyweights filed out, the cavernous conference room was left with only the two of them.
Hugh smiled. "No need to be formal with me. From now on, just call me Hugh—same as Maeve does."
Andres's mouth twitched.
If Secretary Hugh ever found out that just last night Maeve Vance had tried to rope him into kidnapping this very man, there was no way Hugh would be smiling this pleasantly.
They'd crossed paths plenty of times, but never often enough to be considered close.
Since Hugh had brought up Maeve, Andres didn't bother with polite distance. "Have you met Maeve?"
"Not yet," Hugh said. "When that little rascal finally decides to show her face, I'll treat you two to dinner."
Andres lifted a brow. "You know what my relationship is with Maeve?"
Hugh's smile deepened. "Her father told me. And he asked me to pass along a message."
He spoke like he was reciting someone else's exact words.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Divorce Failed My Wife's Secret Identities Shock the World