Chapter 2

My mind went blank, and my temples throbbed.

Of all the times for it to happen, the supervisor handling my transfer was away on a business trip. He'd just boarded a plane, and I couldn't reach him.

Without my card, I couldn't get through the gates.

There was only one option left.

I had to get my show-off junior to come and get me.

When Jessie heard I was calling Cory Olson, the hatred on her face grew even fiercer. "You? Calling Cory Olson?

"Oh my God, lady!

"Old men have used you up and tossed you aside, and you're still fantasizing that you know Mr. Olson? You've been binge-watching too many online short dramas. You think you're the female lead!"

I had no interest in a pointless argument with her.

I ignored her, took out my phone, and dialed.

Nobody answered the first call.

Jessie crossed her arms and scoffed, "You obviously picked a number you knew wouldn't go through and saved it under Cory Olson!"

My headache got worse.

Cory hadn't changed one bit. He never took anything seriously. I'd told him long ago that preflight prep started two hours early.

I made the second call.

This time, it went through.

"Hello, Cher? You..."

But before he could get more than a few words out, someone snatched the phone from behind me, hung up, and deftly switched it off.

Rhonda Statham from the inspection department gave me an icy look. "You're Cher Robertson, aren't you?

"Ms. Robertson, we've received a report that you've been trading sex for favors inside the company.

"We checked the payroll account you have with us and found a large deposit of 200,000 dollars. That's way beyond anything a flight attendant should be earning!

"Please put down what you're doing and come with us for an investigation."

Jessie looked even more smug. "Since you can't clean up your own mess, I'll board in your place and clean it up for you. What can I say? I'm the head flight attendant.

"And just so you know, the first officer on that flight happens to be Cory Olson. In a bit, I'll ask him myself whether the rich guy from a family of aviators actually knows a freakish gold digger like you!"

My head pounded even harder.

"I'm not a flight attendant. I'm the captain! You can request verification of my pilot license from higher up. This flight matters a great deal to everyone. Give me back my phone right now!"

There was only an hour left until takeoff. I thought I'd made the stakes perfectly clear.

But when I stepped forward to take my phone back, Rhonda's people wrenched my arms behind my back.

My joint gave a crack, as if it had popped out of place.

Searing pain shot through me, and my face went deathly pale.

Rhonda looked down at me. "What? You're going to attack me right here in the company? And are you questioning my competence? You're a contract flight attendant whose file hasn't even been transferred here, and you want to request verification from higher up?"

She gave a cold laugh. "You think I don't know a request like that takes over two hours? You sure know how to stall!"

Beads of sweat clung to my forehead. I glanced up at the wall clock. Only fifty minutes remained until takeoff.

"Are you going to let me board this plane or not?"

Jessie was as arrogant as ever. "Not only am I not letting you board, I'm getting you fired!"

I was so angry I laughed.

Fire me? Did she even have the authority?

"Ms. Brooks, how many years have you been on this crew?"

Jessie was caught off guard for a moment before she scoffed. "What? Trying to get on my good side?"

This time, I was the one who smiled. "No. Your career is over, so you might as well start commemorating it now."

The words had barely left my mouth when a loud slap landed squarely across my face.

Jessie's eyes bulged with fury. "Are you cursing me, you bitch?

"Fine! Rhonda, if we don't take the staff corridor back to your office, we have to go through the terminal, right?

"She had the nerve to be a slut in our airlines. Let's see if she has the nerve to get paraded through the terminal like a criminal!"

I was so furious my eyes turned red.

I'd been an outstanding graduate of my alma mater.

An outstanding pilot at my home airline.

So this was how their company treated the talent it had borrowed on a temporary transfer?

Fine.

I just hoped their bosses wouldn't mind one bit when they saw this!