But Gavin's comment was specific.
He knew something about the company's financial position.
And he seemed remarkably confident that her authority would soon be weakened.
Noelle took a breath.
“Mr. Royce, financial negotiations do not give you permission to occupy an unauthorized seat or violate our passenger restrictions.”
He laughed bitterly.
“You still think this is about a seat?”
She looked toward Claire.
“Please confirm with the captain that the aircraft remains at the gate.”
The attendant nodded.
“Already confirmed, ma'am.”
Gavin turned sharply.
“You're delaying an international investment meeting over a misunderstanding?”
Noelle shook her head.
“I'm preventing departure until an unauthorized passenger issue is resolved.”
He stepped closer.
Then lowered his voice.
“Your company has been bleeding cash for months. I've seen the numbers.”
Noelle felt something tighten behind her ribs.
The financial figures were not generally available to passengers.
Certain investors had access through controlled diligence procedures.
But Gavin spoke as though he had examined the company's most sensitive internal projections.
He continued.
“Your board knows you can't maintain this expansion without new money.”
She didn't answer.
“Your aircraft lenders are nervous.”
Noelle remained still.
“And your precious safety policies aren't going to make payroll when the credit facility closes.”
Claire looked down.
The words were designed to frighten anyone who depended upon Ashford for employment.
Noelle noticed immediately.
She turned toward the attendant.
“Claire, none of this changes your responsibilities. Please continue following the captain's instructions.”
Gavin laughed.
“Always the inspirational speech.”
Noelle faced him again.
“If you wish to discuss financing, have your attorneys contact the board through the established process.”
His face hardened.
Then he leaned closer.
“You're going to regret making an enemy of me.”
For a moment, Noelle considered telling him how many people had said something similar since she founded the business.
Instead, she answered quietly.
“Mr. Royce, you became a safety concern long before you became a financing concern.”
The words struck him.
His expression changed.
Then he stepped backward.
At that moment, the cockpit door opened.
Captain Elias Mercer appeared.
He was fifty-four, with short gray hair, a composed face, and the quiet presence of a man who had spent decades making decisions he was required to defend with records rather than confidence.
He wore a dark navy pilot's uniform with four stripes on the sleeves.
His eyes moved from Gavin to Noelle.
Then toward Claire.
“What's the situation?”