Part 1First Class to Her? Access Revoked!

I was flying to New York for a billion-dollar project bid, rushing around to check our luggage, when my husband suddenly said, "Switch to the next flight.

"The airline announced the flight was overbooked, so I already canceled your ticket."

I froze. There were three of us traveling together. The female assistant was the one on standby. By rights, she should have been the one bumped.

My husband explained, "Sophie's health is weak. She can't handle a transfer, and it'll be good for her to see a major bid up close.

"Besides, you're just the technical consultant. It won't matter if you're late."

What he didn't know was that without my core encryption key, that contract could never be signed.

* * *

"Victor Palmerston, I'm the one who actually received the invitation. You're seriously making me switch flights for someone who's only tagging along?"

Victor frowned, impatience flashing through his eyes.

"Sophie only graduated not long ago, and her health isn't good. The transfer wait is five hours. How is she supposed to handle that?"

Sophie Lowell tugged at Victor's sleeve, her eyes reddening.

"Mr. Palmerston, maybe I should be the one to switch flights. Lydia is the technical consultant. The project can't happen without her. I'm just an assistant. It doesn't matter if I'm late. At worst, I'll spend the night at the airport."

She coughed as she spoke.

Victor immediately took her hand, his tone softening. "Don't be ridiculous. You just had a fever last week. The doctor said you shouldn't overexert yourself. This is a company decision. She doesn't get to object."

Then he turned to me, his gaze hard again.

"Lydia Webb, do you think the whole company stops turning without you? Sophie studied computer science too. She's already read through your proposal. Even if you're not there, she can cover for you.

"I'm taking her in first class so I can explain the bidding process to her on the way. Stop making a scene."

Sophie spoke up.

"Lydia, don't be mad. I know you've always had a problem with me because Mr. Palmerston promoted me too quickly, but I really do want to contribute to the company. If you don't want to give me the encryption key, I won't force you."

Victor's expression darkened completely.

He pulled my passport and economy-class ticket from his bag and threw them straight at my chest. "Change your own ticket. You must get to the New York hotel before five this afternoon!"

The passport hit the floor with a dull thud. I crouched down and picked it up.

I watched Victor pull Sophie's suitcase and walk toward the first-class security lane without looking back.

Sophie glanced over her shoulder at me, the corner of her mouth lifting into a smug smile.

I stood there as other travelers stared at me with curious eyes.

Seven years together. Three years of marriage. To support his business, I quit my high-paying job at a major tech company and worked behind the scenes to develop his core system.

Now, for one little assistant, he had publicly trampled me under his feet.

I took out my phone, refunded the ticket he had thrown at me, and bought myself a late-night flight.

By the time I landed in New York, it was already eight at night. Rain was falling outside. I dragged my suitcase into a cab and went to the hotel Victor had booked.

At the front desk, I handed over my ID. "Hi. I'm checking in. The reservation is under Victor Palmerston."

The receptionist checked the computer and looked up. "I'm sorry, ma'am. Mr. Palmerston booked three rooms. One was canceled this afternoon, and the remaining two have already been checked in."

I froze. "Canceled? Who's staying in the other two rooms?"

The receptionist smiled politely. "One is Mr. Palmerston's room. The other belongs to Ms. Lowell. Mr. Palmerston also upgraded Ms. Lowell's room to an executive suite, saying it would be more comfortable for her to rest."