The aircraft touched down at exactly 4:18 p.m.
As Flight 782 taxied toward Gate 14, the atmosphere inside the first-class cabin remained tense. Several passengers had stopped pretending to read their magazines. Others quietly exchanged looks, clearly aware that something unusual had happened.
Richard sat rigidly in his seat.
His phone vibrated repeatedly inside his jacket pocket. He finally pulled it out and checked the screen.
There were three missed calls from his executive assistant, followed by a message from his department manager.
URGENT: The Vice President's office has requested your attendance at tomorrow's operational review. Please confirm immediately.
Richard stared at the message.
He looked across the aisle.
Evelyn was calmly collecting her belongings. Her sweater was still wet, and a few strands of blonde hair had escaped her bun. Yet she seemed completely unaffected by the uncomfortable attention surrounding her.
He wanted to approach her again, but something stopped him.
For the first time, he understood that the woman sitting across from him was not someone he could intimidate.
The aircraft finally stopped.
The seat belt sign switched off.
Madison immediately approached Evelyn.
"Ms. Carter, the captain has asked me to escort you through the forward exit. The ground team is already waiting."
"Thank you, Madison. I appreciate your professionalism."
Madison hesitated.
"May I ask whether you're feeling all right?"
Evelyn smiled faintly.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
Richard stood up abruptly.
"Excuse me. I need to speak with Ms. Carter."
Madison stepped aside but remained close enough to hear.
Evelyn turned toward him.
"What is it?"
"I would appreciate five minutes of your time."
"You have had considerably more than five minutes."
"Please. I know this situation looks terrible, but I can explain."
Evelyn adjusted the strap of her handbag.
"Then explain it to the people handling the investigation."
Richard lowered his voice.
"Look, I know I made a mistake. But you and I are both senior professionals. We should be able to settle this without involving everyone."
"Being a senior professional means accepting responsibility for your actions."
"I understand."
"Do you?"
Richard looked uncomfortable.
Evelyn continued.
"You threatened a flight attendant. You deliberately threw a drink at another passenger. You damaged company property. And now you're asking me to protect you from the consequences."
"I didn't threaten anyone."
Madison spoke before Evelyn could respond.
"You told me I could lose my job if I made a report."
Richard glared at her.
"Nobody asked you."
Evelyn's expression hardened.
"That is enough, Richard."
At that moment, the forward aircraft door opened.
Two airport security officers entered, accompanied by a representative from Skybridge's ground operations department.
Behind them stood a middle-aged man wearing a dark grey suit.
He was Daniel Brooks, Skybridge Airlines' Chief Executive Officer.
Richard recognized him immediately.
"Daniel!"
The CEO looked toward him but did not respond.
Instead, he walked directly to Evelyn.
"Ms. Carter, are you hurt?"
"No. Just wet, unfortunately."
Daniel examined her damaged sweater and the laptop on the tray table.
"I am very sorry this happened."
"Thank you. Madison handled the situation professionally."
Daniel nodded toward the flight attendant.
"Thank you for protecting our passenger and reporting the incident."
Madison looked relieved.
Richard stepped forward.
"Daniel, I'm glad you're here. This has been blown completely out of proportion."
Daniel finally turned toward him.
"Richard, I have received a preliminary report."
"It's a misunderstanding."
"Did you throw a drink at Ms. Carter?"
Richard hesitated.
"I was frustrated."
"That wasn't my question."
The CEO's voice was calm, but his expression had become serious.
Richard glanced at Evelyn.
"Yes, butโ"
"Then we have a starting point."
Daniel turned toward the security officers.
"Please document the incident and follow the airport's standard procedures. We will cooperate fully."
One officer approached Richard.
"Sir, we need to speak with you about what happened."
Richard looked around desperately.
"Daniel, you can't seriously allow this."
Daniel's response was immediate.
"Your position does not exempt you from company policy."
The officer asked Richard to accompany him.
Richard slowly gathered his briefcase.
Before leaving, he turned toward Evelyn.
"This isn't over."
Evelyn looked straight into his eyes.
"You're right. It isn't."
As Richard disappeared through the aircraft doorway, Daniel returned his attention to Evelyn.
"There's something else you should know."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"The board meeting has been moved forward. They want you there tonight."
"Why?"
Daniel glanced at the security officers escorting Richard away.
"Because this incident may have exposed something much bigger than an employee misconduct issue."
Evelyn's expression changed.
"What did you find?"
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Someone has been deleting records from the commercial department's internal system."
For the first time that afternoon, Evelyn looked genuinely concerned.
She had suspected Richard of misconduct.
She had not expected the investigation to lead somewhere far more dangerous.