Ms. Greene took the boarding pass, carefully verified Grace’s information, and then turned to show Lucius the boarding pass. “It is confirmed that this seat rightfully belongs to this elderly passenger, so please return to your respective seats as the plane is preparing for takeoff.”
Lucius snatched the boarding pass and ripped it to shreds. “I’ve told you already—I am paying five times the fare for this seat! Do you not see how much agony Belinda is in right now? You’re a woman yourself! How can you not have any sympathy for a pregnant woman?”
“In accordance with the airline policy, seats can’t be bought or sold once the tickets are issued. In addition, this passenger has not consented to a seat change. If you continue to occupy her seat by force, we will be forced to remove you and your companion from the flight.”
Lucius scoffed, looking at Ms. Greene with total disdain. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
He then threw a business card at Ms. Greene. His title as CEO was displayed in plain sight. “I could make one call right now and have you fired from this airline by tomorrow morning!”
Taken aback by his commanding presence, Ms. Greene grew uncertain and hesitated for a moment.
I watched with a heavy heart, feeling a tightening in my chest. I had always known Lucius was a man of iron-fisted methods, and I knew Ms. Greene’s career was genuinely at risk.
I, however, had never seen him use his status to bully a defenseless elderly woman and an ordinary employee. It seemed like the “gentleman” facade he usually maintained for the public was gone. It was replaced by a side of him that was utterly revolting.
In the meantime, Grace was still on her hands and knees, desperately trying to gather the pearls scattered across the floor. “It’s been five years since my husband passed away. It was something he had given me as a symbol of our devotion; it’s the only thing I have left of him now.”
In the end, even the other passengers on the flight couldn’t take it anymore.
“What’s wrong with you? How could you harass an elderly woman? Do you think having money makes you better than everyone else?”
“I know, right? You guys should just settle this already! If we waste any more time, the flight is going to be delayed, and we have places to be!”
Annoyed by the murmurs around him, Lucius snapped. He whipped out a bank card from his wallet and tossed it to the ground. “You’d better stop the waterworks this instant! You’re acting as if someone is dead here! I have 50 thousand dollars on that card. Take it for the seat and your necklace.
“You should stop holding everyone up. If you still won’t cooperate, just get off the plane and change your ticket. That money is more than enough for ten round trips!”
Grace wiped her tears away and slowly rose to her feet. Her back was straight and unyielding. “I’m not short of money! I just want my seat!”
Lucius clicked his tongue in annoyance and flicked a second card right at her face. “Here’s another 50 thousand dollars! That should be enough for you, right? You’d better not push your luck here!”
Grace was trembling with rage, but she still wouldn’t budge.
In the meantime, the grumbling from the other passengers swelled into a roar of frustration, with some even shouting for the crew to just kick her off the flight.
I realized this couldn’t go on forever, so I let out a sigh and stepped up. “How about I go down to economy with you, ma’am? That way you’ll have company and can feel more at ease.”
Grace’s eyes were still brimming with tears as she turned to look at me, as if I were her savior. She managed a weak, appreciative smile despite her distress and said, “Thank you! I’ll make sure my grandson rewards you for your kindness once we land!”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
