Phones rose higher, recordings multiplied. The young man in 2A muttered, “Got it. Every second.” The attendant froze, horror flickering across her features before pride hardened them again. “This passenger was aggressive,” she snapped loudly. “She unfastened her seat belt during taxi. I acted to protect the cabin.”
But her words rang hollow. Passengers murmured, their voices sharp with disgust. “That’s a lie.” “She just slapped her.” “We all saw it.”
The captain’s calm voice came over the intercom. “Cabin crew, report to the flight deck immediately.” The attendant stiffened, her chest heaving. Another crew member, younger and frightened, guided her away. The first-class cabin sat in stunned silence, all eyes fixed on the trembling woman in seat 1A.