Dante said into the phone, “I’m freezing execution of the rescue agreement.”
Montgomery inhaled sharply.
“What?”
“Until I review what happened here.”
“Dante, the board—”
“Can wait.”
“You know our timeline.”
“Yes.”
“I also know Apex does not inject $350 million into a company where employees are pressured to violate their own standards because a wealthy passenger throws a tantrum.”
Bradford said, “That is not what happened.”
Montgomery heard.
“Who is that?”
Dante looked at Bradford.
“Bradford Kane.”
Another pause.
Different this time.
Montgomery knew the name.
Dante heard it.
“Richard?”
Montgomery’s tone became careful.
“Kane?”
“Yes.”
Bradford's face changed.
He heard it too.
Dante asked, “You know him.”
Montgomery said, “We should discuss that privately.”
Dante smiled without warmth.
“Now I definitely want to discuss it publicly.”
Bradford stepped forward.
“This is a private commercial matter.”
Elena immediately moved between him and Dante.
“No, sir.”
Bradford glared.
She did not move.
Dante spoke into the phone.
“Richard, send me every board memo involving Kane Capital, every lender communication involving Bradford personally, and every restructuring proposal tied to his affiliates.”
Montgomery hesitated.
“Dante—”
“Tonight.”
Silence.
Then:
“Understood.”
Dante ended the call.
The cabin stayed quiet.
Bradford looked like a man calculating several risks simultaneously.
Dante recognized that expression well.
It was the first intelligent thing Bradford had done since boarding.
Captain Williams spoke carefully.
“Mr. Rivers, I owe you—”
Dante lifted one hand.
“Not yet.”
Williams stopped.
Dante turned toward Carmen.
“How long have you worked for Platinum?”
She blinked.
“Seven years.”
“Elena?”
“Twelve.”
Dante nodded.
“Thank you.”
Carmen looked confused.
“For what?”
“For doing your jobs when the easier option was to protect the person making the most noise.”
Elena said, “We were following policy.”
Dante looked at Williams.
“Exactly.”
The captain’s face tightened.
Bradford turned toward the front door.
“I’m getting off.”
Elena answered immediately.
“Yes, sir.”
He looked at her.
That was not what he expected.
She gestured toward the open boarding door.
“You have refused multiple crew instructions and disrupted boarding. We will arrange for a gate representative to meet you.”
Bradford stared.
“You’re removing me?”
“Yes.”
“I’m a million-mile customer.”