"Victor," Desmond said when the line connected.
"Desmond, the CEO of Global has been calling my direct line every 30 seconds," Victor replied.
"The airline situation is resolved. I am reboarding Flight 88 shortly. Lift the Section 4 grounding order the moment my flight pushes back," Desmond instructed.
"Understood. And what about the other matter?" Victor asked.
Preston held his breath, his hands clasped together in a silent, desperate prayer.
Desmond looked directly into Preston's eyes.
"Execute the acceleration clause on the Montgomery Holdings mezzanine debt. All of it. Issue the demand for full repayment by Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. EST. When they default, begin the asset seizure protocols for the Hudson Yards properties."
"No!" Preston screamed, lunging forward.
But he stumbled over the hem of the oversized sleeper suit and fell to his knees on the terminal carpet.
"Please, you can't do this!"
"It's already done." Victor's voice drifted faintly from the phone. "Have a good flight, Desmond."
Desmond hung up the phone.
He looked down at Preston, who was now sobbing quietly into his hands, surrounded by the sterile fluorescent glow of Terminal 4.
"You offered me $5,000 for my seat," Desmond said quietly. "It just cost you a $2 billion empire. I suggest you call your father. He has a very busy weekend ahead of him."
Without waiting for a response, Desmond Hayes turned and walked purposefully toward the gate.
The gate agents, who had been watching the entire exchange in terrified, awestruck silence, scrambled to attention as Desmond approached.
"Welcome back, Mr. Hayes," Maria, the lead agent, squeaked, her hands shaking as she scanned his mobile pass for the second time that night. "Thank you for your patience."
Desmond offered her a small, polite smile. "Thank you, Maria. Have a good night."
He walked down the jet bridge.
The atmosphere inside the aircraft was radically different than when he had left it. The tension was palpable.
As he stepped through the heavy cabin door, he saw Richard, the now-former purser, gathering his coat and bag from the galley. Richard's face was ashen. He looked up, made eye contact with Desmond, and quickly averted his gaze, scurrying off the plane without a single word.
Standing in the galley, looking slightly bewildered but incredibly vindicated, was Khloe.
Desmond stopped in front of her. "I understand congratulations are in order for your promotion to first-class purser, Khloe."
Khloe's eyes went wide. "Mr. Hayes, I... the captain just told me. I don't know what to say. Thank you. But honestly, I was just trying to do the right thing. It wasn't fair, what they were doing to you."