4
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One look at Zoey’s smug expression told me exactly what she’d whispered into Wang Samuel ear. Framing me. Classic manipulation playing him like a puppet. Brutally efficient.
–
Given Samuel’s first impression of me, I knew any defense would be pointless noise. Waste of breath.
“Whether I touched her or not doesn’t matter now. What you want to do about it?”
My blunt defiance clearly caught him off guard; surprise flickered briefly in his frosty gaze before hardening.
“It’s simple!” he snapped.”You apologize. Now.”
I raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile hanging at the corner of my mouth.
“This isn’t happening. Suggest something else?”
“One million!”
The figure leapt out of Zoey’s mouth like a venomous serpent, dripping with malicious glee. She stepped forward, preening.
“As Mr. Rockwell’s personal secretary, my time is measured in millions per minute!” she declared, pressing a dramatic hand to her temple.”That shove you gave me made me feel unwell! You will take responsibility!”
A collective gasp sucked the air from the cabin.
Even Samuel himself seemed somewhat surprised.
“A million? Isn’t that… excessive? A full medical workup wouldn’t cost a fraction.”
Zoey immediately waved her hand dismissively.
“No no no, Mr. Rockwell, you’re still thinking too narrowly.”
Zoey dismissed him with a fluttery wave.”Oh no, Boss, you think too small! This isn’t just my well-being!”
Her voice sharpened into wounded outrage. “When your personal secretary is assaulted on your own plane… the disgrace isn’t just mine, it’s yours! A mere million? Frankly, we’re being charitable!”
Samuel pondered for a moment, found some logic in it, and nodded lightly.
“Fine! A million it is!”
My immediate, unwavering response cut through the tension like a blade. Every eye snapped to me.
Disbelief. Skepticism. Outright scorn. Some saw bravado; others thought I was playing some deep game. Most were just waiting for the crash. None of it mattered.
What mattered was the violation of my assigned space. Bought at ten times the price? Insulting. The arrogance was the injury.
“Now that the shoving incident is settled,” I said, my tone shifting subtly, a dangerous spark igniting behind my calm, “Perhaps we can address the other matter: my seat.”
“My itinerary was formally logged and approved with the airline. Did you truly imagine any seat on this manifest was up for casual poaching?”
“My itinerary was reported to Oceancrest Airways. Did you really think anyone could just sit wherever they want?”
As soon as the words left my mouth, the surrounding crowd burst into mocking laughter.
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Snickers erupted around us.
“Is this girl insane? Who logs a first class seat?”
“The whole airline is Rockwell property! Who else would she log it with?”
I let my gaze sweep the scoffing crowd, cold and deliberate.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I began, my voice low yet carrying, cutting through the noise.”You all seem convinced the Rockwell fortune buys absolute dominion here. That their power is unquestioned.”
paused, letting the silence build, my eyes locking back onto the baffled, angry faces before me. Then, a slow, chilling smile spread across my lips.
“So tell me, Mr. Rockwell… Can your wealth make this plane stop?”
“She,” I tilted my head towards Zoey, “…can’t.” My smile widened, sharp and predatory.
“But…”
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