Vanessa looked away.
Ethan said, "A contract with Sinclair Global will not proceed while this review is open."
Vanessa stared.
"You can't be serious."
"I am."
"You'll regret this."
"Perhaps."
"You think your shareholders will applaud morality when revenue falls?"
Ethan's expression did not change.
"If the only way we can generate revenue is by teaching employees to ignore our own rules for whoever threatens us with the largest contract, then we have a larger problem than revenue."
Vanessa said nothing.
Rachel stepped forward.
"Your premium account privileges are suspended pending review of your role in the incident."
Vanessa laughed.
"You can't suspend me."
Rachel nodded toward security.
"We can."
Two airport security officers approached.
Vanessa's assistant whispered, "Ma'am, let's go."
Vanessa looked around.
Passengers were watching.
No one admired her now.
No one rushed to support her.
Even Clare refused to meet her eyes.
Vanessa turned sharply and walked toward the terminal.
Her assistant followed.
The white suit that had commanded the cabin now simply made her impossible not to recognize.
Within an hour, a passenger video began circulating online.
Not because Ethan authorized it.
The man from 2C sent it to his wife.
His wife sent it to a friend.
The friend posted a short section before airline communications knew it existed.
The clip ended before the chairman reveal.
It showed Vanessa standing over Ethan.
Get that man out of my seat.
Ethan holding two boarding passes.
Emma shrinking beside him.
Clare asking them to move.
Within ninety minutes, it had hundreds of thousands of views.
By afternoon, people knew the second half too.
CHAIRMAN OF AIRLINE FORCED FROM HIS OWN FIRST-CLASS SEAT.
Ethan hated the headline.
Rachel found him in a private conference room at the airport.
Emma sat at a table drawing.
For the first time that morning, she had opened her sketchbook again.
The picture showed an airplane wing.
Rachel closed the door.
"Communications wants a statement."
Ethan looked at Emma.
"Not about me being chairman."
"They'll mention it anyway."
"Then our statement doesn't."
Rachel sat down.
"What do you want it to say?"
Ethan thought.
"That a passenger and minor child were improperly reassigned."
"Okay."
"That the manifest record was altered without verified consent."
"Yes."
"That the flight was suspended because record integrity was compromised."
"Yes."
"And that we're investigating whether the conduct reflects a broader pattern."
Rachel nodded.
"No self-congratulations."
"I wasn't planning any."
"No line about swift executive action."
She smiled faintly.
"You know communications already wrote one."
"Delete it."
"Gladly."
Emma looked up.
"Are we still going to Seattle?"
Ethan checked the time.
The original flight would not leave for hours, if at all.
"Yes."
Rachel said, "I can arrange the company jet."
Ethan immediately shook his head.
Emma looked at him.
"Why not?"
"Because we bought airline tickets."
Rachel smiled.
"I'll find another aircraft."
Operations did.
A different Aurelia flight scheduled later that morning had two seats available in first class.
Marcus arranged 1A and 1B.
Before boarding, Ethan walked through the gate area.
Many displaced passengers from Flight 271 were still waiting.
Some were angry.
Rightfully.
Connections were being missed.
Plans disrupted.
A family was supposed to reach Seattle before a wedding rehearsal.
A consultant had a noon presentation.
A college student had an exam the following morning.
Ethan stood before them.
No podium.
No microphone.
Emma beside him.
"My name is Ethan Walker."
A few people laughed softly.
By now, everyone knew.
"I'm sorry."
The room quieted.
"I know the delay has affected your plans."