But soon enough, Rachel would learn that Alicia Morgan was far more than a first class passenger. She was the one holding Grand Sky Airlines' financial fate in the palm of her hand. The showdown between prejudice and dignity was far from over. Alicia knew she held the final say in this battle, and she was prepared to do whatever it took to ensure no one else would suffer the injustice she had just endured.
In the small, discreet room, the neon light overhead cast a cold glow as Alicia sat upright, her hands resting lightly on the icy metal table. She showed no emotion. Her eyes remained calm and razor sharp. The instant the door clicked shut behind her, Alicia knew she was about to confront the most deep-seated, invisible prejudices face to face.
Seated across from her was a tall security officer with a stone-cold expression, his features carved as if from marble. He flipped open his notebook, his icy gaze brazenly sizing Alicia up before he spoke in a low, loaded voice. "What is your full name?"
"Alicia Morgan," she replied crisply, her tone steady and unhesitating. He jotted a quick note, then looked up, his manner uncompromising. "What's the purpose of your flight today?"
"Business," Alicia answered calmly, offering no further detail. He sneered, suspicion flickering across his face as he eyed her simple attire: a gray turtleneck, basic slacks, low-heeled leather shoes. Nothing like the VIP image he encountered daily. "If this is a business trip, why are you dressed like this?" His tone turned harsher, as though questioning her character and worth.
Alicia did not flinch. Tilting her head, she met him with a gentle yet piercing look. "How I dress has nothing to do with my trip's purpose. What are you implying?"
The officer faltered, unprepared for such a sharp retort. He gestured to a female colleague, beginning to search Alicia's small bag. Inside the unassuming canvas sat her laptop, a notebook, and a large sealed envelope stamped with the Advalink Group's red wax logo. The woman held up the envelope, brows raised. "What's this?"
"Work documents," Alicia replied tersely, her voice firm. "We need to inspect it," the officer declared, hand moving toward the seal. Before she could break it, Alicia's voice rang out, measured and authoritative. "To view the contents, you'll need an attorney and a court order. Anything else would be illegal."
Her words froze the room. The two officers exchanged startled looks, clearly taken aback by her calm command of legal rights. They'd never encountered a passenger so composed, so resolute. Outside, Rachel watched on the camera feed, her smug smile slowly fading as she witnessed Alicia's quiet strength and legal savvy. Rachel felt both irritation and a flicker of unease. She hadn't expected her intended target to respond so decisively.
Inside the interrogation room, Alicia said nothing more. She slipped the envelope back into her bag and zipped it shut, a silent declaration of her authority. Locking eyes with the officers, she added in a steady tone, "If this is a random security check, note that in your report. If someone specifically requested this, I want the reason in writing."