“Captain…” he said carefully, his voice tight. “I think you should reconsider.”
Daniel shot him a glance, irritation flashing.
“This doesn’t concern you.”
Michael closed his eyes briefly, gathering his resolve.
“Yes,” he replied quietly. “It does.”
The words landed heavily.
Around them, murmurs grew louder. A few passengers no longer bothered to hide their phones as they recorded. The moment had already escaped control—it no longer belonged to the people involved. It belonged to everyone watching.
And still, Eleanor remained seated.
Calm.
Unmoved.
Untouched by the chaos she had unintentionally created.
“Captain,” she said at last, her voice even, steady, “you made a decision without knowing all the facts. That happens. But what you choose to do now… that’s what defines you.”
Her words didn’t rise in volume, but they struck with precision.
Daniel felt a cold line of sweat slide down his back.
