Victoria turned sharply.
“And?””
Emily hesitated.
“And it may be best to apologize.””
The entire cabin seemed to hold its breath.
Victoria looked at Emily like she had just committed a personal offense.
“Excuse me?””
“A sincere apology would be appropriate.””
Victoria’s lips parted.
She looked at Naomi.
For the first time, Naomi saw something different in her eyes.
Not regret.
Calculation.
Victoria was trying to figure out what she needed to say.
Not because she understood the harm.
Because she understood the consequences.
“I’m sorry if you misunderstood my comments.””
Naomi’s expression didn’t change.
“That isn’t an apology.””
Victoria crossed her arms.
“I said I’m sorry.””
“You said you’re sorry that I misunderstood.””
Naomi’s voice remained calm.
“That puts the responsibility on me.””
The passenger with the phone quietly nodded.
Victoria noticed.
Her cheeks reddened.
“You’re really going to embarrass me over this?””
Naomi looked at her.
“No.””
She paused.
“You did that yourself.””
The words were quiet.
But they hit harder than shouting.
Victoria looked around.
The cabin had changed.
Minutes earlier, she had controlled the room.
Now everyone was watching her.
Not with fear.
With disappointment.
She stepped back.
“This is ridiculous.””
She reached for her bag.
“I’m going to speak with someone after we land.””
Naomi nodded.
“You can.””
Victoria grabbed her suitcase.
Then she stopped.
Because Emily’s tablet chimed again.
Emily looked down.
The color left her face.
Naomi noticed.
“What is it?””
Emily hesitated.
“Ms. Caldwell…”
“Yes?””
“It’s from the corporate office.””
Naomi held out her hand.
Emily walked over and showed her the screen.
The message was short.
*BOARD REQUEST: CONFIRM WHETHER THE INCIDENT INVOLVES A FORMAL CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OR EXECUTIVE REVIEW.*
Naomi stared at it.
She already knew what that meant.
The airline’s legal team had seen something.
Someone had reported the interaction.
Probably the passenger recording.
Probably another employee.
Probably both.
Victoria noticed the tablet.
“What are they saying?””
Naomi locked the screen.
“Nothing you need to worry about right now.””
Victoria gave a bitter laugh.
“Of course.””
She stepped closer.
“You’re going to use your position to destroy me.””
Naomi looked surprised.
“No.””
“You have the power.””
“Yes.””
“Exactly.””
Naomi studied her carefully.
Then she said something Victoria clearly didn’t expect.
“Power is not the same thing as revenge.””
The cabin became quiet again.
Naomi continued.
“I spent years building this company because I wanted people to experience a different kind of travel. Safer. Kinder. More human.””
She looked around the cabin.
“Not because I wanted to make people afraid of me.””
Victoria’s expression flickered.
For a moment, she almost looked ashamed.
Almost.
Then her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Her confidence returned instantly.
“I need to take this.””
She turned away.
“Hello?””
Everyone could hear the irritation in her voice.
“Yes, I’m on the plane.””
A pause.
“No, I’m not delayed.””
Another pause.
Her expression changed.
“What do you mean the article is already posted?””
The passengers exchanged looks.
Victoria lowered her voice.
But the cabin was quiet enough to hear.
“Who sent that?””
A long silence.
Then:
“You’re sure?””
Naomi watched her.
Something had shifted.
Victoria’s face had lost all color.
She ended the call.
For the first time all night, she looked genuinely afraid.
Emily noticed.
“Ms. Langford?””
Victoria didn’t answer.
Naomi leaned slightly forward.
“What happened?””
Victoria looked at her.
And for a moment, the woman who had been so certain of her own importance seemed very small.
“They posted the video.””
No one spoke.
“The video from earlier,” Victoria whispered.
The passenger with the phone looked down.
His expression changed.
Naomi understood.
Someone had uploaded the confrontation.
Already.
Victoria shook her head.
“No.””
She looked at Naomi.
“You don’t understand.””
Naomi’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What don’t I understand?””
Victoria swallowed.
“My company.””
The words came out quietly.
“My board is going to see this.””
Naomi remained silent.
Victoria stepped closer.
“I have investors. A reputation.””
Naomi looked at her.
“And?””
Victoria’s voice cracked.
“And this could ruin everything.””
Naomi glanced at the snow outside.
Then back at Victoria.
“Interesting.””
Victoria frowned.
“What?””
“You’re worried about your reputation now.””
The sentence cut deeper than anything else Naomi had said.
Victoria looked away.
Naomi continued.
“When you thought I was someone without influence, you didn’t care how your words affected me.””
Victoria had no answer.
Because there wasn’t one.
The captain announced that boarding was complete.
The doors were preparing to close.
But before Emily walked toward the cockpit, her tablet chimed one more time.
This time, she didn’t hide the message.