Chapter 3 Power at Ground Level

The next morning, the headquarters of Aurelia Airlines stood tall and imposing against the Seattle skyline, its floor-to-ceiling glass walls reflecting a sky of soft grey and pale blue that looked far calmer than the storm brewing inside. The building gleamed under the morning sun, a monument to ambition and success-but Jane Harley knew better than anyone that even the most polished surfaces could hide rot beneath.

Jane walked through the corridor in full pilot uniform-crisp white shirt, navy blazer with three gold stripes on the shoulders, tailored trousers pressed so sharply they looked like they could cut glass. Every step was measured, every movement controlled, her dark hair pulled back in a perfect bun that showed not a single stray strand. Her expression was calm, composed-the same mask she wore in the cockpit during turbulence-but beneath it, determination burned bright and hot, fueling every breath.

She stopped in front of the supervisor's office, her hand pausing just inches from the polished wood door. The nameplate-Mr. Winston Cheng, Senior Operations Supervisor-glinted under the overhead lights, and she could hear the faint sound of laughter coming from inside, followed by the clink of a coffee mug against a saucer.

Then knocked once-firm, clear, impossible to ignore.

"Come in."

The voice was casual, almost bored.

Jane stepped inside, closing the door behind her with a soft click that seemed to echo in the spacious office. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the tarmac, where aircraft sat gleaming under the sun, ready for their morning routes. Mr. Cheng sat comfortably behind his massive mahogany desk, a cup of coffee in hand-black, no sugar, just the way he always drank it, Jane noted-his posture relaxed in his leather chair, almost too relaxed, as if he'd been waiting for her and was entirely unconcerned by her arrival.

Jane didn't sit. She stood straight in front of his desk, her hands clasped behind her back, her gaze steady and unwavering.

"You know fully well I was the pilot in command of Flight 423 yesterday," she began firmly, her voice carrying across the room without raising her volume. "I was the one who navigated us through severe turbulence, I was the one who identified the medical emergency before it became critical, and I was the one who coordinated with ground staff to have life-saving medication ready before we even landed."

Mr. Cheng said nothing. He simply took another slow sip of his coffee, his eyes fixed on hers with an expression that was equal parts amusement and disdain. He let the silence stretch, letting her words hang in the air like unclaimed baggage.

Jane's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing her face before she regained control.

"Then why," she continued, her voice sharpening at the edges, "did all those operational records-every single one documenting my actions on that flight-suddenly appear on Jenny Burrows' evaluation report? Along with my highest scores from the past six months? Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"

A pause. The only sound was the faint hum of the air conditioning and the distant roar of an aircraft engine on the tarmac below.

"Jane..." Mr. Cheng finally spoke, setting his cup down with deliberate care on its saucer. "You and Mr. Lincoln had a fight, didn't you? In that restaurant last night? I heard there was quite a scene."

His gaze was pointed. Accusing. As if her personal life were somehow relevant to her professional performance.

Jane rolled her eyes slightly, unimpressed by his attempt to change the subject. "That's between me and him. What's between us is fraud-plain and simple."

Mr. Cheng leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers under his chin as he studied her. "Mr. Lincoln is one of Aurelia Airlines' major shareholders. Not just a figurehead-he has real influence on the board. When he personally requests something..." he chuckled lightly, a sound like stones grinding together, "...things tend to move. Quickly."

Jane remained silent, her expression giving nothing away as she watched him, cataloging every gesture, every word. She'd worked under him for two years-long enough to know he didn't make decisions without something to gain.

"Look," he continued, his tone feigning sympathy as he leaned forward slightly, "it's not like I wouldn't back you up... but this matter is too complicated. There are interests at play here that you couldn't possibly understand-business relationships, family connections, investments that keep this company running."

He smiled then, but there was no warmth in it-just cold calculation.

"You can't handle it. Trust me, Jane-walking away now is the smart move. I can even arrange for you to keep your position as trainee captain, just... without the promotion. Consider it mercy."

The laugh that followed was low, dismissive, as if the very idea of her challenging him were ridiculous.

Jane smiled back, her lips curving into an expression that mirrored his own-but her smile carried something else entirely. Expectation. Confidence. As if she had already predicted every word he'd say, every move he'd make.

Slowly, she slipped her hand into her blazer pocket and pulled out her phone. The screen glowed bright against the morning light as she tapped it once, twice, then held it up so he could see.

Without breaking eye contact, she pressed play.

A voice filled the room-clear, sharp, undeniable.

"Jane was quite the hero today..."

Jenny's voice, recorded just hours earlier in the restaurant, rang out loud and clear.

"...Saved a life and boosted her evaluation score. Originally her promotion was guaranteed... now you've transferred her credits to me-said you'd make sure the records were altered by morning..."

The room fell silent. Mr. Cheng's posture shifted-subtly, but noticeably. His hand tightened slightly on the arm of his chair, his smile fading at the edges.

"You recorded it..." he muttered, his voice no longer casual.

Jane gave a small, satisfied nod. "I learned a long time ago to document everything. Especially when people like you are involved."

"Who would believe that?" he said suddenly-then, faster than Jane could react, he leaned forward and snatched the phone from her hand, his movements surprisingly quick for a man his size.

Before she could react-

Delete.

The screen flashed red for a split second, then went dark.

Mr. Cheng leaned back casually in his chair, tossing the phone onto the desk like it was nothing more than a discarded toy. "My hands slipped," he said mockingly, a cold smile returning to his face. "Accidentally deleted it. Such a shame-all that evidence, gone just like that."

He laughed then, a harsh sound that made Jane's jaw tighten.

To his surprise, Jane didn't flinch. Instead, the corners of her mouth tilted upward into a sharp, knowing smirk. She didn't reach for the phone.

"Did you really think I'd bring the original copy into the lion's den?" she asked softly. "I expected you to try that, Winston. In fact, I counted on it. The moment you pressed delete, the file was automatically uploaded to a secure cloud server-and I have multiple copies stored in encrypted drives across three different countries. Your 'accident' just proved your intent to suppress evidence."

Mr. Cheng's expression faltered-his jaw tightening as the realization hit.

Outside the office, footsteps echoed down the polished corridor, loud and purposeful against the marble floor. Jayden Blackwood walked beside his mother, Eleanor, holding a large ceremonial banner that must have been six feet long-deep red silk with gold fringe and tassels that swayed slightly with each step, catching the overhead lights and sending sparks of gold across the walls. The words AURELIA'S HERO-CAPTAIN JANE HARLEY were embroidered in thick gold thread across the front, gleaming brightly.

He glanced at it again, then at his mother, his expression a mix of amusement and resignation.

"Mom... do we really need to bring this here? You realize this is a corporate headquarters, not a parade ground."

"You don't understand," Eleanor replied briskly, adjusting the pearl necklace around her neck as she walked, her navy suit perfectly tailored, her silver hair styled in an immaculate chignon. "While your father has been away in Europe handling the international divisions, Aurelia's domestic subsidiaries have grown... crooked branches. People who think they can do whatever they want just because they have a little power."

Her grip tightened slightly on her handbag-a classic leather piece that had been in the family for three generations. "I'm going to be there for my future daughter-in-law. She saved my life-she deserves better than to be pushed around by people who don't know the first thing about integrity."

Jayden stopped walking for a second, nearly dropping the banner as he looked at her in surprise.

"...Future what?"

Eleanor smiled, clearly pleased with herself as she patted his arm. "Our family's lifesaver-who else would I be talking about? We must stand up for her. Set things right. Show everyone that the Blackwoods don't forget their debts."

Jayden shifted uncomfortably, adjusting his grip on the banner as other employees passed by, casting curious glances their way.

"Mom... your way of 'standing up'..." he gestured to the massive banner, "...is a bit flashy, don't you think? She's already refused the whole 'strategic alliance' idea-forcing things won't work. In fact, it'll probably make her run the other way."

Eleanor waved him off with a dismissive hand, her heels clicking against the floor as she continued walking toward the supervisor's office. "All looks, no guts," she said lightly. "You won't know if it works until you try. Standing here uselessly solves nothing-action is what matters. Your grandfather taught me that, and he built this company from nothing."

She grabbed his arm, pulling him forward gently but firmly. "Now, let's go. I want to make sure everyone in this building knows exactly who saved my life-and what happens to people who try to cheat her."

Inside the office-

Jane leaned in slightly toward the desk, her face just inches from Cheng's, her voice low but firm enough to carry across the room.

"You've been targeting me since I was transferred to this division," she said, each word clear and deliberate. "Cutting my flight hours, assigning me to the worst routes, questioning every decision I make. You're doing Reuben Lincoln's dirty work because you think his shares give him the power to protect you."

"I hear the CEO despises people who abuse power the most," Jane continued, her eyes locked onto his. "He's made it clear that corruption is the one thing he won't tolerate. If this recording reaches him-along with documentation of every time you've manipulated records for your own benefit..."

"Don't push your luck!" Mr. Cheng snapped, slamming his hand on the desk so hard his coffee cup tipped over, dark liquid spreading across the polished wood. "I've been with this company for fifteen years! I know where all the bodies are buried-including some that would make the board very uncomfortable! I can make sure you won't last long here, trainee!"

The air thickened, heavy with unspoken threats and long-simmering resentment. The scent of coffee mixed with the sharp smell of fear, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

Then-

The door burst open with such force it slammed against the wall, making both of them jump.

"Threatening my lifesaver?"

Both of them turned to see Eleanor Blackwood standing at the doorway, her presence commanding, her expression sharp with fury. Her silver hair seemed to glow under the overhead lights, her posture straight and unyielding. Behind her stood Jayden, calm but watchful, still holding the massive red banner, his amber eyes cold as he took in the scene-Jane standing firm, Mr. Cheng looking flustered, coffee spreading across his desk.

Mr. Cheng froze, his face paling as he recognized her.

"Mrs... Blackwood?" he stammered, scrambling to stand up, knocking over a stack of papers in his haste. "I... I didn't know you were here-"

Jane blinked, caught off guard by their sudden arrival. She'd expected Jayden might follow up on his offer, but she'd never imagined his mother would show up at corporate headquarters with a banner.

Eleanor stepped inside, her heels clicking with authority as she walked toward the desk, her eyes never leaving Mr. Cheng's face.

"Since when," she continued coldly, her voice carrying across the room with the weight of someone used to being obeyed, "does Aurelia Airlines allow vermin like you to call the shots? To cheat dedicated employees out of what they've earned? To threaten people who have done nothing but serve this company with honor?"

The room fell silent. Even the distant sounds of the airport seemed to fade away.

And just like that-

The balance of power shifted.

For the first time since yesterday, Jane wasn't alone.