Chapter 3 - ESCORTED OFF THE PLANE
Ethan and Vanessa were already seated in first class.
Vanessa smiled as champagne was poured.
“To freedom.”
Ethan raised his glass.
“To finally getting my life back.”
The flight attendant smiled politely.
Then the cabin door opened.
Two security officers entered.
Behind them were federal agents.
Ethan's smile disappeared.
“Mr. Cole?”
“Yes?”
“We need you to come with us.”
Vanessa stood.
“Excuse me?”
“Both of you.”
Ethan laughed nervously.
“This is a mistake.”
One agent handed him a document.
“Your departure has been flagged pending investigation.”
“Investigation into what?”
“Financial fraud.”
The cabin went silent.
Vanessa looked at Ethan.
“You said everything was handled.”
“It is.”
Another officer approached.
“Mr. Cole, you're being escorted off the aircraft.”
Ethan's face turned red.
“You can't do this.”
“We already are.”
Passengers watched.
Phones appeared.
Vanessa's face collapsed.
“This is humiliating.”
Ethan turned toward her.
“Stop talking.”
They were escorted down the jet bridge.
At the end of it, Ethan's phone rang.
Martin Hale.
Ethan answered.
“What the hell did you do?”
Martin's voice remained calm.
“I didn't do anything.”
“Then why am I being detained?”
“Because your wife signed the divorce papers.”
Ethan froze.
“What does that have to do with this?”
“Everything.”
Ethan looked toward the terminal.
“Where is Grace?”
“At my office.”
“Put her on.”
“No.”
Ethan's voice rose.
“Put my wife on the phone.”
Martin corrected him.
“Your former wife.”
Silence.
Then Ethan understood.
“She did this.”
Martin replied:
“She discovered what you were hiding.”
Ethan's face went pale.
“What did she discover?”
“You should ask yourself that.”
The call ended.
Vanessa stared at him.
“What happened?”
Ethan looked at her.
For the first time, she saw fear in his eyes.
“What did you know about the company?”
“Nothing.”
“You're lying.”
“I swear.”
Ethan's phone buzzed.
A notification.
Cole-Bennett Hospitality Board Meeting — Emergency Session.
He opened it.
The message contained one sentence:
Voting control has been transferred pending verification of beneficial ownership.
Ethan stared.
“No.”
Vanessa whispered:
“What?”
May you like
He looked at her.
“Grace.”
