hapter8 " No ... no , this isn't real ... it's fabricated ... " Charles Wentworth stammered , his voice trembling , his face drained of all color . Every word revealed the terror eating him alive . Richard Alden let out a cold laugh . " Fabricated ? This came directly from the Flight Data Recorder . It has already been verified jointly by the International Aviation Safety Board auditors and our own technical team . ' He tilted his head . " Tell me , Charles , who exactly has the power to forge that ? " Then he dropped another bomb . " You think Sophie's uncle can protect you ? " " I'll tell you this - because of your reckless stupidity , AeroCorp isn't just facing a massive fine from the International Aviation Safety Board . We're looking at the very real possibility of losing international flight privileges for the next three years . " L " That shareholder , that Vice President you're banking on ? Jonathan Blackwell has already been suspended by the board and placed under internal investigation . He's fighting for his own survival . " " And he threw you under the bus . Claimed you took advantage of his gullible niece . " Charles's head jerked up , his eyes wide with disbelief . His greatest backer had fallen - and wasted no time selling him out . Richard's gaze sharpened . " Do you even know why we were on this flight in the first place ? " " We and the International Aviation Safety Board auditors were conducting an anonymous inspection , to determine if AeroCorp qualified for the highest honor - designation as a Five - Star Safety Airline . " " Now ? Thanks to you and your darling trainee , this has become the biggest scandal of the year in global aviation . " " Congratulations , Charles . You and Sophie are famous . " Chapter8 8.33 % Charles broke apart completely . He cradled his head , a low , broken whimper rattling from his chest . Just then , noise stirred outside the door . Sophie Carlisle was dragged in by two staffers . The moment she saw the scene - the inspectors , Charles collapsed on the floor , the damning video playing on the screen - she knew . With a heavy thud , she dropped to her knees , spluttering . " It wasn't me ! Director Alden , please - it wasn't me ! " Tears streamed down her face as she pointed a shaking finger at Charles . " It was him ! He forced me ! He said if I just obeyed , I'd be fast - tracked to promotion , I'd get his captain's recommendation !" " He lured me in step by step , brainwashed me , told me manual flying was the only true way . He promised he'd protect me! " To save herself , she tore into him like a rabid dog , shoving every ounce of blame onto his shoulders . She painted herself as the innocent ingénue - coerced by her superior , blinded by false love , too powerless to resist . Charles stared at her in disbelief . This was the woman who , just moments ago , had been nestled in his arms , the one he had been determined to clear a path for . His eyes cycled through fury , shock , and finally sank into a hollow despair , a dead - eyed emptiness . Richard Alden watched the sordid display without expression . Then he raised a hand . " Witnesses and evidence - both in hand . " " Take them . " " Charge them formally with endangering public safety and submit the case to the prosecutor's office . " Chapter8