Olivia slowly looked up, meeting Richard's gaze with calm eyes. Her eyes were deep yet sharp, radiating a strong sense of self-respect. She knew well the true motive behind this request, but still, she slowly opened her phone and politely held up her boarding pass in front of Richard.
"Of course. This is my seat, 2A," she said gently, trying to keep her emotions in check.
Richard took the phone, deliberately scrutinizing the boarding pass longer than necessary, then frowned and asked with suspicion, "Are you sure this is your seat? Maybe there was a system error or perhaps you were mistakenly upgraded."
Olivia took a deep breath, her voice still gentle but firm. "I am absolutely sure. I purchased this ticket and it has been clearly confirmed. I don't think there is any mistake here."
At that moment, Caroline stepped forward with an air of authority. Her cold, sharp gaze briefly swept over Olivia, almost as if she intended to belittle her with a single glance. Caroline spoke gently but with clear implication, drawing the attention of all the passengers around.
"Ma'am, this is first class, reserved for special guests. Perhaps you've mistaken your seat? I mean, our passengers don't usually wear such simple clothing."
Caroline's words were soft but sharp, cutting straight into Olivia's dignity. In an instant, the entire cabin fell into a tense silence. Other passengers began to quietly observe, some looking uncomfortable, others curious and sympathetic toward the clear display of discrimination.
Olivia, with all the patience and dignity she had accumulated over the years of her life, responded slowly. Her voice trembled slightly but carried immense strength. "I fully understand where I am seated, ma'am. I paid for this ticket, and I have every right to sit here just like any other passenger."
Caroline's face briefly showed a hint of surprise, as if she hadn't expected the older woman to respond so confidently. But she quickly regained her usual cold demeanor, her eyes now more irritated, her voice sharper.
"I just want to ensure that all passengers are in the right seat. But honestly, you don't look like our typical customer, so it's completely reasonable to have some doubts."
Olivia remained silent for a few seconds, her sharp gaze now causing Caroline to feel uncomfortable. She spoke again, her words clear, full of dignity and strength, just like the life she had lived.