Noelle met Nina Calder the following Tuesday.
The former cabin attendant chose the location.
A quiet restaurant outside Boston, far from Ashford's executive offices and the expensive private terminals where she had once spent much of her working life.
Nina arrived wearing a blue sweater and dark trousers.
Her injured wrist had healed sufficiently for ordinary activities, but she still experienced occasional discomfort and had spent months rebuilding confidence in situations that reminded her of the incident.
Noelle stood when she entered.
For a moment, both women seemed uncertain.
Then Nina extended her hand.
“Ms. Ashford.”
Noelle shook it gently.
“Noelle, please.”
They sat.
For several minutes, the conversation remained ordinary.
Nina asked about the company.
Noelle asked how she was doing.
Then the former attendant looked down at her coffee.
For a moment, her expression changed.
“I thought about writing you earlier.”
Noelle remained quiet.
Nina continued.
“But I was afraid.”
The CEO felt her throat tighten.
“Of me?”
Nina shook her head.
“Of what might happen afterward.”
She looked toward the window.
For several seconds, she remained silent.
Then spoke.
“After Geneva, people told me the company was supporting me.”
Noelle nodded.
“That was my understanding.”
Nina looked toward her.
“Some people did.”
Her voice trembled.
“The captain. The safety officer. A few colleagues.”
She paused.
“But then I started receiving calls about the account.”
Noelle felt cold.
Nina continued.
“I was told that Mr. Royce was important to the company's future. That the incident had been stressful for everyone. That maybe it would be better if I stopped talking about it.”
Her eyes filled.
“One manager said I might find the private aviation industry difficult if I became known as someone who caused trouble for major clients.”
Noelle stared.
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
Then whispered.
“Who said that?”
Nina took a breath.
She provided the name.
It was a manager in Adrian Pike's department.
Noelle looked down.
The relationship was becoming clearer.
But the personal damage was what hurt most.
She looked toward Nina.
“I'm sorry.”
The younger woman nodded.
Noelle continued.
“I know an apology doesn't repair what happened.”
Nina's eyes filled.
“No.”
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Noelle asked.
“What do you want the company to understand?”
Nina looked toward her.
For a moment, she seemed surprised by the question.
Then she took a breath.
“I want them to understand that I didn't leave because I stopped loving the job.”