How does Reece embarrass General Pilsner in the novel, The Terminal List?

Pilsner is cruel toward Reece just a few days after Reece buries his wife and daughter, planning to make everyone see Reece in a rage. When Reece hits him, however, Pilsner covers up the event because he is embarrassed he got beat up. Reece later kills Pilsner by forcing Tedesco to detonate a suicide bomb in Pilsner's office.