VIP favoritism.
The numbers had warned her.
Employee turnover in cabin service was double the industry benchmark.
Anonymous complaints mentioned “owner preference” and “appearance standards.”
Three former employees alleged they were removed from flight rotations after reporting passenger harassment.
One Black flight attendant said she was repeatedly assigned ground support when a specific owner requested “a different presentation.”
The complaint had been closed with no finding.
Simone had read every page.
That was why she arrived alone.
Not to trap Caroline specifically.
To observe what culture did without a briefing.
Now Caroline stood in front of her.
One person.
Maybe symptom.
Maybe cause.
Not enough to know.
Simone looked toward Graham.
“Captain.”
“Yes?”
“You said the crew was being evaluated.”
“Yes.”
“What were you told the evaluation covered?”
“Service, safety, professionalism, client handling.”
“Retaliation?”
He hesitated.
“No.”
David answered.
“Yes.”
Graham looked at him.
David continued.
“Retaliation and reporting culture are central.”
Caroline folded her arms.
“This is ridiculous.”
Simone looked.
“Why?”
“You bought company this morning and now you’re acting like eight minutes on a ramp proves anything.”
“No.”
Simone nodded.
“That would be ridiculous.”
Caroline’s expression shifted.
Simone continued.
“Eight minutes proves eight minutes.”
“It tells me where to look.”
Not verdict.
Data.
She turned to Adrian.
“Preserve all cabin-service complaints involving this aircraft for twenty-four months.”
Caroline said:
“You can’t just—”
Simone looked.
“I own the company.”
Then immediately regretted phrasing.
She closed eyes briefly.
Caroline almost smiled.
“You see?”
Simone opened them.
“See what?”
“You’re doing exactly what you accuse me of.”
Simone stared.
Caroline continued.
“Using authority because somebody challenged you.”
The ramp went very quiet.
Claire looked horrified.
David looked at Simone carefully.
Most people would have dismissed it.
The owner.
The employee.
Too much distance.
But Simone had built her career on one question.
What if the person making you uncomfortable is right?
She looked at Caroline.
“That’s a fair criticism.”
Everyone froze.
Caroline did too.
Simone continued.
“I should not have said ownership as though it settles conduct.”
“It settles access rights.”
“Not whether my investigation is correct.”
Caroline’s face changed.
Simone took breath.
“So let’s be precise.”
“You denied boarding after valid transfer documentation was presented.”
“That may be a training or briefing issue.”
“You physically knocked property from my hand.”
“That is conduct.”
“You laughed when I said I owned the aircraft.”
“That may reflect bias or disbelief.”
“We will investigate which.”
“And Claire appears afraid of disagreeing with you.”