“Richard, you know me,” Arthur begged, tears of sheer panic welling in his eyes. “My uncle sat on your board for ten years! I’ve given my life to this FBO! You can’t let her—”
“Your uncle cashed out his shares at noon today, Arthur,” Sterling said, his voice devoid of any warmth. “He doesn't work here anymore. And neither do you.”
Arthur froze.
“Take off the badge,” Sterling ordered.
Arthur’s hands shook violently as he reached up to his lapel. His fingers fumbled against the fabric of his tailored olive suit. It took him three agonizing, humiliating attempts to unclip the gold-plated Terminal Director badge.
He held it out. Sterling didn't take it. He gestured to the Vanguard attorney, who plucked the badge from Arthur’s trembling fingers and dropped it into his briefcase like it was contaminated evidence.
“Your terminal keycard, too,” the attorney said coldly. “You are terminated for cause, Mr. Vance. Effective immediately. Vanguard Aviation Holdings will be turning these dispatch logs over to the federal airport authority, and our corporate counsel will be filing a civil suit to recover every dollar you extorted through that LLC.”
Arthur looked like a man who had just been shoved out of an airplane without a parachute. His mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
“Security will escort you to your vehicle,” Sterling said, pointing toward the perimeter gate. “Do not ever set foot on a Meridian or Vanguard property again.”
Two airport police officers, whom Arthur usually called to intimidate his victims, had already pulled their cruiser up to the edge of the apron. They stepped out, waiting for him.
Arthur Vance, stripped of his badge, his title, and his dignity, turned and began the long, agonizing walk across the blinding concrete. The heavy silence of the tarmac followed him the entire way.
Evelyn watched him go, her expression serene. She didn't gloat. She didn't smile. She simply watched the trash take itself out.
Once Arthur was secured in the back of the cruiser and driving away, Evelyn turned her attention back to the terrified regional director.
“Richard,” Evelyn said softly.
Sterling flinched, standing at rigid attention. “Yes, Ms. Vance-Mercer.”
Evelyn unzipped the oxblood leather portfolio and pulled out the final, forty-two-million-dollar acquisition charter. She walked over to the hood of Sterling’s black Escalade, uncapped a gold fountain pen, and signed her name across the bottom line.
She closed the folder and handed it to the regional director.
“The acquisition is complete,” Evelyn said. “My first order of business as the new owner is the immediate reinstatement of Marcus Hale, with full back pay and a promotion to Acting Terminal Operations Manager.”
She turned to Maya, who was still standing bravely on the apron.
“Maya,” Evelyn said, her voice softening into genuine warmth. “Please call Marcus and tell him he is needed back at the terminal immediately. And when he arrives, you will be receiving a compliance bonus and a promotion to Executive Client Liaison. Thank you for your integrity today.”
Maya burst into relieved tears, covering her mouth as she nodded enthusiastically. “Thank you. Oh my god, thank you, Ms. Vance-Mercer.”
“No,” Evelyn smiled. “Thank you.”
Evelyn turned back toward the silver Gulfstream. The heat of the afternoon sun felt different now—lighter, clearer. She walked to the bottom of the airstairs, the same stairs she had been blocked from ascending two hours ago.
She placed her cream heel onto the bottom metal grating.
“Ms. Vance-Mercer,” Sterling called out nervously. “Will you be requiring anything else before your departure?”
Evelyn paused on the second step. She looked out over the gleaming glass hangars, the pristine concrete, and the luxury terminal that now belonged to her. She slid her black cat-eye sunglasses back up the bridge of her nose, securing them firmly in place.
“No, Richard,” Evelyn said quietly, looking up toward the open cabin door where Chloe was waiting with a bright, welcoming smile. “I think I've seen everything I need to see.”
Evelyn Vance-Mercer turned and ascended the stairs of her aircraft, her head held high, stepping aboard her own jet without paying a single dime.