Victor folded his hands.
"You're making this sound much worse than it is."
Thomas looked directly at him.
"Daniel Brooks is reviewing these files."
For the first time, Victor's expression changed.
"Daniel?"
"Yes."
Victor glanced toward the conference room door.
"Why?"
"Because he's the majority owner of the company."
Victor forced a smile.
"He's thirteen years old. He has a board meeting scheduled this afternoon. I'm sure we can explain the situation appropriately."
Thomas did not smile back.
"That's exactly what I'm worried about."
Victor closed the folder.
"Then perhaps you should stop encouraging him to interfere with departments he doesn't understand."
Thomas stood.
"Daniel understands something you seem to have forgotten. Every passenger deserves respect."
Victor's face hardened.
"Be careful, Thomas. You're accusing a senior executive of misconduct."
"I'm asking questions. If the answers are honest, there shouldn't be a problem."
Thomas picked up his folder.
"By the way, Daniel is on Flight 728."
Victor looked up.
"What?"
"He experienced an incident in First Class this morning."
Victor stared at him.
"Is this a joke?"
"No."
"Was he recognized?"
"Not initially."
Victor stood.
"Who was involved?"
"I don't have all the details."
Victor walked toward the window.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he turned around.
"Make sure nobody turns this into a public relations disaster."
Thomas looked at him.
"Perhaps we should focus on making sure it doesn't happen again."
Victor ignored the remark.
He took out his phone and began typing.
The message he sent was brief.
We have a situation involving Daniel Brooks. Contact the operations team immediately.
He had no idea that his attempt to control the situation would soon make everything much worse.
Back aboard Flight 728, Evelyn Whitmore was growing increasingly uncomfortable.
She had noticed that Daniel seemed to receive a level of attention that other passengers did not.
Olivia had checked on him twice.
Richard had spoken to him privately.
And the captain had personally invited him to the flight deck.
Evelyn couldn't understand why.
She pressed the call button.
Olivia approached.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"I'd like to speak with your supervisor."
"Certainly. Is there something I can help you with?"
"I've already explained myself. I want to know why that boy is receiving special treatment."
Olivia glanced toward Daniel.
"Mr. Brooks is simply being assisted as any other passenger would be."
"Really? Because I haven't seen you spending this much time with anyone else."
Olivia kept her voice calm.
"Is there anything specific you need?"
"Yes. I want a written explanation of why your employees allowed this situation to happen."
"Which situation, ma'am?"
Evelyn stared at her.
"Are you being deliberately difficult?"
"No, ma'am. I'm trying to understand your request."
Evelyn sighed dramatically.
"I want it documented that I was forced to deal with an inappropriate seating arrangement and that your staff treated me disrespectfully."
Olivia paused.
"Your assigned seat was 2C, and you were seated there after we confirmed the boarding passes."
"That's not what I asked."
"I understand."
"Then do your job."
Olivia nodded.
"I'll inform the cabin supervisor."
As she turned to leave, Evelyn added something else.
"And please tell him I expect compensation."
Olivia stopped.
"Compensation for what, ma'am?"
"For the embarrassment, the inconvenience, and the stress."
Olivia looked at her for a moment.
Then she replied politely.
"I'll pass along your concerns."
When Olivia walked away, the elderly woman across the aisle leaned toward Evelyn.
"Don't you think you've made enough trouble?"
Evelyn turned.
"Excuse me?"
"You were mistaken about the seat. The crew corrected the mistake. That should have been the end of it."
Evelyn gave a bitter smile.
"Some people clearly don't understand how customer service works."
The woman shook her head.
"I understand it perfectly. I've been flying for more than forty years. Good customer service doesn't mean getting everything you demand. It means treating people properly."
Evelyn looked away.
She didn't want advice.
She wanted someone to agree with her.
The businessman across the aisle finally spoke.
"Ma'am, I think the boy handled the situation remarkably well."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
"Are you suggesting I was wrong?"
He paused.
"I'm suggesting you were unnecessarily unkind."
Evelyn opened her mouth.
Then she closed it.
She had no answer that would make her look better.
She picked up her phone and began typing again.