"All of it?"
"Until we understand the operational risks and leadership failures."
She studied me.
Then nodded.
"I'll tell the team."
I looked toward the email.
The aircraft could wait.
The new routes could wait.
But the people already flying with us couldn't wait for us to decide whether their dignity was worth protecting.
Graham called me thirty minutes later.
His tone was cheerful.
"Adrian! I hear you had a little excitement this morning."
I stared at the phone.
"A little excitement?"
He laughed.
"Victoria can be demanding."
I felt my jaw tighten.
"She threw my boarding pass onto the floor, made discriminatory remarks, and put her hands on me."
Silence.
Then Graham cleared his throat.
"Well, that's obviously unfortunate."
I closed my eyes.
"Unfortunate?"
"Of course. Completely inappropriate."
He paused.
"But I hope you understand she's under significant pressure right now."
I looked toward Catherine.
She was sitting across from me, listening through the speakerphone.
I asked, "What kind of pressure?"
Graham hesitated.
"Family business matters."
I waited.
He continued.
"Her investment group is finalizing a major contract with us."
I nodded slowly.
"And that excuses her behavior?"
"No, no, absolutely not."
He spoke quickly.
"I'm simply saying we should be strategic."
I stared.
"What would strategy look like to you?"
A pause.
Then he said, "Perhaps a private apology, a complimentary future flight, and a little discretion."
Catherine looked at me.
Her expression hardened.
I kept my voice calm.
"Why would we give Victoria a complimentary flight after she mistreated another passenger?"
Graham hesitated.
"To preserve the relationship."
I leaned forward.
"What about the employee who reported her?"
He went quiet.
I continued.
"What about the passenger she would have humiliated if he weren't the owner?"
"Adrian—"
"What about the crew members who were told to accommodate her regardless of the seating manifest?"
Graham took a breath.
"These things are complicated."
I stared.
Then asked, "Did you instruct ground staff to move another passenger from seat 2A?"
A long silence followed.
"Not specifically."
I looked toward the email Catherine had opened.
"Did you instruct them to prioritize Victoria's preferences?"
Graham hesitated.