Instead, he took out his phone.
He opened the Titan Dynamics corporate application.
A photograph appeared on the screen.
Marcus Reed.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
Evelyn looked at the screen.
Her face changed.
The flight attendant looked too.
The businessman across the aisle leaned forward.
“That’s him,” he whispered.
Another passenger said, “Wait. Titan Dynamics?”
Marcus ignored them.
Evelyn stared at the photograph.
Then at Marcus.
Then back at the photograph.
“But…”
She stopped.
Marcus waited.
“But you don’t look like…”
She did not finish the sentence.
She did not have to.
Marcus had heard the unfinished version of that sentence for twenty years.
The flight attendant quietly said, “Mr. Reed, would you like me to reseat you?”
“No.”
Evelyn looked surprised.
“No?”
Marcus pointed toward 1B.
“That is my seat.”
She immediately stiffened.
“You’re not going to make a scene?”
“I haven’t made a scene.”
“You just threatened my husband’s company.”
“I stated a fact.”
“You know what I mean.”
Marcus looked at her.
“No. I don’t.”
Her phone rang.
Richard.
Evelyn answered immediately.
“Richard.”
His voice was barely audible through the speaker.
“What happened?”
“You need to explain something to me.”
“What?”
“Titan Dynamics.”
Silence.
“Where did you hear that name?”
Evelyn looked directly at Marcus.
“He’s here.”
“Who?”
“Marcus Reed.”
Another silence.
Then Richard’s voice changed.
“Evelyn, listen to me carefully.”
“What?”
“Get off the plane.”
Her face drained of color.
“What?”
“Get off the plane.”
“But the flight is about to leave.”
“I don’t care.”
“Richard—”
“Is Marcus Reed standing there?”
Evelyn swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Do not argue with him.”
She lowered the phone.
Marcus could hear the silence on the other end.
Then Richard spoke again.
“Put me on speaker.”
Evelyn did.
Richard’s voice filled the small space.
“Mr. Reed?”
Marcus answered calmly.
“Richard.”
The passengers became completely silent.
“I owe you an explanation,” Richard said.
Marcus looked at the clock.
“You owe me several.”
Richard exhaled.
“I know.”
“What happened?”
“Our legal team received the termination notice this morning.”
Marcus nodded.
“They did.”
“We were preparing a response.”
“You have forty-eight hours.”
Richard hesitated.
“I understand.”
Evelyn looked between them.
“Wait.”
Marcus turned toward her.
She looked frightened now.
Not angry.
Not arrogant.
Frightened.
“You’re really him.”
Marcus said nothing.
Richard answered for him.
“Yes.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Marcus finally stepped aside.
“I’m going to sit down.”
The flight attendant moved immediately.
“Of course, Mr. Reed.”
Evelyn stood.
Her handbag fell against the seat.
For the first time that morning, she looked like someone who had realized that money could not solve every problem.
Marcus sat in 1B.
He placed his briefcase beneath the seat in front of him.
He fastened his seat belt.
The passenger behind him lowered his phone.
“Sir?”
Marcus turned.
“Yes?”
“I recorded everything.”
Marcus looked at him.
The passenger swallowed.
“I just thought people should see what happened.”
Marcus nodded.
“Then make sure you show all of it.”
“All of it?”
“The beginning.”
“The part where she took your seat?”
Marcus shook his head.
“The part where she decided I didn’t belong in it.”
What People Assume
The plane doors closed.
Evelyn had been moved to another seat in first class.
She sat alone.
For the first ten minutes after takeoff, she said nothing.
Neither did Marcus.
The aircraft rose above the clouds.
Chicago disappeared beneath them.
Marcus opened his laptop.
There were twenty-seven unread emails.
He began working.
Evelyn kept looking toward him.
Eventually she stood.
She approached his seat.
“Mr. Reed.”
Marcus looked up.
“Yes?”
“May I speak with you?”
“Of course.”
She remained standing.
“I owe you an apology.”
Marcus closed his laptop.
“Yes, you do.”
She seemed surprised by the direct answer.
“I shouldn’t have said those things.”
“No.”
“I was angry.”
“That explains it. It doesn’t excuse it.”
She nodded.
“You’re right.”
Marcus studied her.
“You called my boarding pass a forgery.”
“I know.”
“You told me I didn’t belong in first class.”
“I know.”
“You told me to go through the curtain.”
“I know.”
“And you said, ‘You people are getting bolder.’”
Evelyn looked down.
“I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No.”
Marcus waited.
She finally sat across the aisle.
“I made an assumption.”