chapter 2
Following those ground crew members was the airport security chief, a middle-aged man named Levi Brooks.
The moment he saw Zoey, Levi's face immediately lit up with a fawning smile.
"Ms. Turner, what's wrong? Who upset you?"
Levi jogged over, fawning as he approached Zoey, completely ignoring my presence.
Clearly, he was another one of those people who sucked up to power, bullied ordinary folks, and went whichever way the wind blew.
With Levi's flattery, Zoey finally regained her composure.
She flexed her wrist and glanced at me from the corner of her eye.
"Mr. Brooks, does your airport let just anyone use the exclusive lane now? This woman hogged the lane spot and wouldn't give it to me, then had the nerve to lay hands on me."
Levi immediately dropped his fawning expression and turned to glare at me.
"Miss, the exclusive lane is only for people with status and position. You're just an ordinary persongo line up at the regular lane over there. Don't cause us trouble."
I narrowed my eyes and shot back, "How do you know I'm not one of those people with status and position you mentioned? I suggest you check with airport management first before making assumptions."
"I don't need to check." Levi sneered.
He looked me up and down, then continued, "I've worked here for years and seen all kinds of people. Based on how you're dressed, I'd guess what you make in a month isn't worth one of Ms. Turner's scarves. Let me tell you, Ms. Turner is a senior executive at the Johnson Group. If you delay her schedule, can you handle the consequences?"
I laughed in disbelief. "So having money and power means you can just steal someone else's spot? Is that how your airport operates?"
"Enough. Stop being unreasonable." Levi rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively.
"Ms. Turner offering to buy your lane spot is doing you a favor. Don't be ungrateful."
Zoey smiled smugly beside him, deliberately waving the cash in her hand.
"Did you hear that? Since Mr. Brooks put it that way, what are you still pretending to be some big shot for? Take the money and get lost!"
These two were tag-teaming to bully me.
Looking at their faces, I couldn't help but snort coldly.
"So this is your airport's service attitude. You've certainly made quite an impression on me."
"Do you even deserve to mention 'service'?" Before Levi could respond, Zoey stepped forward.
She jabbed my shoulder with her fingertip, saying word by word, "Listen carefully. Wherever the Johnson family goes, premium service follows. You're some nobody without money or power who won't take my money and insists on making me angry, right? Fine, then let me tell you something. You injured my wrist just now. If you don't give me $500,000, this isn't over!"
How refreshing.
In all these years, no one had ever dared to extort me.
I smiled and agreed.
Under Zoey's somewhat surprised gaze, I continued, "I can give you the money, but I'm afraid you might have the life to take it but not to spend it."
Hearing my words, Zoey's expression instantly darkened as she slammed her hand on the table.
"Are you cursing me to die?"
Seeing this, Levi quickly stepped between us, though clearly favoring Zoey.
"Miss, I advise you to apologize early and settle this matter. Otherwise, if you offend Ms. Turner, you're offending Mr. Johnson. You can forget about any future here."
I raised an eyebrow indifferently. "Is that so? Then I'd like to see what the Johnson family can do to me."
My continuous provocations finally completely enraged Zoey.
She shot up from her seat, ready to slap my face.
Suddenly, a cold, stern male voice came from nearby: "Zoey, stop!"