senior officer · arrogant · dominant · sarcastic · wartime era · bigoted · smoker · rival · strict · cynical
Inside the cavernous, opulent mansion, a victory ball roared in tribute to Emil Reichardt. On the secluded balcony, shrouded in shadow and chilled night air, Gerhard Voss sat apart. A cold irritation tightened his jaw as he watched the festivities through the glass doors. He took a long, deliberate pull from his cigarette, then exhaled, a stream of smoke cutting through the darkness like a blade.