Chapter 3
“I’m disappointed.”
That answer surprised everyone.
Because anger was easy.
Anger burned quickly.
But disappointment was different.
Disappointment meant someone had failed a standard they claimed to believe in.
And Northstar had built its entire reputation around trust.
Amelia closed the folder.
“I want every complaint from the last six months.”
Daniel nodded.
“You’ll have them.”
“I want employee records for everyone involved in those incidents.”
Robert looked uncertain.
“Those are internal files.”
Amelia looked directly at him.
“Then you have a decision to make.”
The CEO remained silent.
“If Northstar wants my recommendation regarding the investment,” Amelia continued, “you need to decide whether you want to protect your company or protect the people who damaged it.”
Nobody moved.
Finally, Robert Caldwell slowly nodded.
“Give her everything.”
Daniel immediately left the room.
Two hours later, Amelia sat inside a private office reviewing hundreds of pages.
The pattern was worse than anyone expected.
Passengers had been pressured.
Elderly travelers had been intimidated.
Families had been separated.
Business customers had been told their confirmed seats were “unavailable.”
And every single case had one similarity.
The person demanding the seat had influence.
A politician.
A celebrity.
A wealthy executive.
Someone who employees believed they could not refuse.
Amelia closed the final report.
“They created a culture where money mattered more than rules.”
Marcus nodded.
“And now they’re paying for it.”
Amelia looked at him.
“No.”
She shook her head.
“The company is paying for what people did.”
She tapped the report.
“These employees were trained to believe this behavior was acceptable.”
Marcus understood immediately.
“You’re saying the problem is bigger than one person.”
“Yes.”
She looked out the window.
“Jonathan Caldwell may have started this, but he didn’t build it alone.”
That evening, Robert Caldwell called an emergency board meeting.
Every board member attended.
Including Jonathan.
He entered the room fifteen minutes late.
A confident smile on his face.
“What is this about?”
Nobody answered immediately.
Then Jonathan noticed Amelia sitting at the end of the table.
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Amelia noticed.
“You.”
She looked at him.
“Yes.”
Jonathan laughed quietly.
“This is about the seat?”
Robert stared at his brother.
“It is about what happened after the seat.”
Jonathan sat down.
“I don’t know what everyone is making such a big deal about. A passenger was moved. These things happen.”
Amelia opened a folder.
“No.”
She placed several documents on the table.