5
572words
The surveillance footage shouldn’t have been erased so quickly.
“This isn’t my fault.You should be thanking me.If I hadn’t stopped Emma from entering the cockpit,the plane would’ve crashed.”
I stared down the supervisor.
“Claire,I thought we were friends.How could you blame me for your mistake?”Emma said,feigning confusion.
“I didn’t do it,so why should I take the fall?You tried to seduce James and when it didn't work, you framed me.”
Surprisingly,James remained silent,his head bowed.
“There’s surveillance on the plane.Check it!”I demanded.
“We already sent someone to look.The footage is gone.You were the last to leave the plane,so it’s hard not to suspect you,”they replied.
Their speed was alarming—Robert Harper’s influence,no doubt.
James had always kept our relationship secret from his family,always saying he’d introduce me when the“time was right.”Now I saw he’d never taken me seriously.
Anger made my fists clench.I needed evidence.
As I suspected,Robert whispered something to the other supervisors,and they quickly left the room.
“Claire,if you keep pushing this, you'll only end up hurting yourself,”Robert warned.
I discreetly started recording the conversation on my phone.
“James is my son.I won’t let him lose his job.And since James trusts Emma, she's in the clear too.
“The passengers are demanding accountability.Someone has to be fired to appease them.”
“You have no power or connections.What can you do against us?”
“Leave quietly,and I’ll give you money.Your mother's medical bills are expensive, aren't they?”
My grip tightened.When my mom got sick,James had connected me with top doctors,which deepened my trust in him.Now they were using it against me.
“Even if you don’t admit it,I have ways to make you take the blame,”Robert added,leaning back confidently.
“Claire,don’t be stupid.Without a job,how will you pay for your mom’s treatment?Take the deal,or don’t blame us if she dies!”Emma sneered.
I stepped forward to slap her,but James pushed me aside.
“Stop making a scene!Grow up!”
He’d stayed silent while I was framed but jumped to defend her now.
“I’ll find evidence to clear my name!”I declared,turning to leave.
“Wait!”Robert called.
“Hand over your phone.Don’t think I didn’t notice you recording.”
His men grabbed me,one twisting my arm,another snatching my phone.The screen showed it was recording.
I felt like my situation was hopeless.
Just then,a male voice cut through:
“Robert,you must have a death wish.”
It was the passenger Emma had mocked—the one I’d saved.I’d seen his info:Nathan Brooks.
Robert’s face paled,then he bowed like a shrimp.
“Mr.Brooks!What brings you here?”
He ushered Nathan to a seat,scrambling to serve tea.
“My dad said the company has a serious culture problem, so he sent me here undercover. I didn't expect to find so many bad apples," Nathan said, giving Emma and James a pointed look.
I remembered now—Nathan was the son of the airline’s biggest shareholder.He rarely appeared,so we didn’t recognize him.
“I recorded everyone that happened on the plane.Do you want to see it?”Nathan toyed with his phone.
“No need!I trust you completely,”Robert stammered.
He marched to Emma and slapped her hard.“Apologize!”
“Mr.Brooks,I’m so sorry!I was made a huge mistake.Please forgive me!”Emma pleaded,knowing the Brooks family dwarfed the Harpers in wealth.
Nathan ignored her and turned to Robert.“You know how to handle this,right?”
“Yes,sir!They’ll issue a public apology and be suspended immediately!”
Satisfied,Nathan left.
Emma and James slunk out,shooting me venomous looks. I knew this wasn't the end—neither of us was going to back down.
