Chapter 3

A triumphant smirk played on Chloe's lips. She looked from me to Liam, her expression radiating victory.

"Thank you, Ava. I knew you'd understand," she said, her voice back to its syrupy sweetness. "Actually, since we're all friends here, I'd love to sit in the cockpit for takeoff. I've always wanted to see it."

She was pushing her luck, testing the new boundaries of my apparent compliance.

Liam, completely won over by my sudden submissiveness, nodded enthusiastically. "That's a great idea! Show her the ropes, Ava. She's interested in all aspects of technology and operations."

He saw it as a learning opportunity for his prodigy. I saw it for what it was: another violation of protocol, another way for Chloe to assert her dominance and get under my skin. The cockpit during takeoff and landing was a sterile environment. No passengers allowed. No exceptions.

"I'm sorry, but that's not possible," I said calmly, but firmly. "Regulations are very clear. Non-essential personnel are not permitted in the cockpit during critical phases of flight."

Liam's good mood evaporated instantly. His face darkened, a storm gathering in his eyes.

"Are you kidding me?" he snarled. "After you just admitted you were being unreasonable? Now you're pulling this? I am the client, Ava. This flight is happening because I'm paying for it. My guest will sit where I want her to sit."

The threat was clear. My job, and the jobs of my team, depended on his satisfaction. In my first life, this was the moment I caved completely. I let Chloe into the cockpit. It was one more broken rule they later used against me, painting me as incompetent and reckless.

"Liam, if you insist on bringing an unauthorized person into the cockpit," I said, my voice level, "you will be jeopardizing the flight license for the entire crew, including your captain. And my team and I will have to be logged as having officially protested the decision."

"Are you threatening me?" he roared, taking a step closer. "I will have all of you fired. I will buy this charter company and shut it down just to make a point. Do not test me, Ava."

The pressure in the room was immense. My team looked terrified. They were good people with families and mortgages. They couldn't afford to lose their jobs over a billionaire's tantrum.

I met Liam's furious gaze. Then, I let my shoulders slump in defeat. I gave Mark a quick, almost imperceptible glance. It was a look we had practiced in drills for emergency situations. It meant: follow my lead, but record everything.

"Fine," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "You win."

I turned to my team. "Let Ms. Vance through."

As Chloe brushed past me, a smug smile on her face, I felt a cold sense of finality. In my first life, I compromised the rules to save him. This time, I was bending them to damn him.

He wanted to be king of his own private sky. I was going to let him. And I was going to watch his kingdom burn.