Chapter 41. Plane Accident (4)

Bridgeworld Airlines has its headquarters inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Therefore, the headquarters staff personally came forward to guide the compensation process. They decided to refund the plane tickets and provide a $600 voucher to each passenger. They also arranged an immediate replacement flight.

A white man who introduced himself as Bob Adrey said to me,

"I sincerely thank you for what happened today. Thanks to you, all the passengers are safe."

"It's nothing."

"As a token of our gratitude, we would like to offer you a lifetime free business class ticket from our airline."

"Wow!"

A lifetime free business class ticket!

For someone like me who only flies economy to save money, this is an incredible benefit.

"But it's not just one ticket, right?"

"Excuse me?"

"Are you saying I'll be flying alone forever? It would be difficult to book a separate seat for a companion."

"Well, the companion's seat is a bit..."

I said casually,

"If the engine hadn't exploded, I might have been arrested for causing a disturbance on the plane or deported from the U.S."

"That, that's..."

"If this incident keeps being sensationalized in the media, the airline's image will suffer."

"That, that's true."

"There are a lot of reporters here, considering this is practically CNN's front yard."

"..."

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

I had just checked my phone and saw a series of breaking news alerts. Given the misinformation that had already spread, the airline must be frantically dealing with the media.

"I heard that in the U.S., you get a lot of money for appearing on interviews or TV shows to talk about such incidents."

At that, Bob immediately said,

"We will also make the companion's seat lifetime free."

"Really?"

"Of course. Please accept it."

I nodded.

"Actually, I'm quite shy, so I don't think I could handle interviews or TV shows in front of people."

It's not an unreasonable request.

This accident is 100% the airline's fault. If it had resulted in a major tragedy, the airline would have faced millions of dollars in compensation and a catastrophic image crisis.

By offering a 'lifetime free business class ticket (including companion)' to avoid that, it's a bargain for them.

I raised my hand and called out to Chris.

"Chris! Come here for a moment!"

"What's up?"

I pointed at him and said,

"I would like you to give the lifetime free business class ticket you just mentioned to this gentleman, not to me."

Chris was taken aback and waved his hands.

"No, no, what are you talking about? I'm fine."

"Don't refuse."

At first, he refused, but after I insisted, he reluctantly accepted.

"Really, can I accept this?"

It must be too good to refuse.

"Of course. This is all thanks to Chris."

"But you keep saying that. What exactly did I do?"

I smiled.

"You did a lot. You really did a great thing."

Originally, it was Chris who noticed the engine's abnormal sound and stopped the plane.

He became a hero who saved the next U.S. president and the citizens, and after Mark Phillips became president, he invited Chris to the White House to thank him again.

But this time, I took the credit. Naturally, the benefit should go to him. And it looks better if I don't take anything.

Good deeds without any reward shine the brightest.

"I don't know how to thank you."

I sincerely said to him,

"No, thank you."

"A lifetime free business class ticket. I'll use it well until I die."

"Sure. Travel a lot until the year after next."

I said "the year after next" because, unfortunately, Bridgeworld Airlines will go bankrupt and be acquired by Theta Airlines in two years.

Not that I did it for that reason...

* * *

The replacement flight was quickly arranged, and the passengers left with their luggage. I said goodbye to Christopher Romu and exchanged contact information.

"It would be great to see you again. Feel free to contact me anytime."

"Sure. Have a pleasant trip."

Most of the passengers had left, but Senator Phillips and his family were still stuck at the airport.

The incident occurred at Atlanta Airport, which is in Senator Phillips' constituency. As both the responsible party and the victim, high-ranking officials from the airport and the airline came to discuss countermeasures with him.

I checked the news and comments on my phone.

-If the plane had taken off, the engine would have exploded right after. It's really a stroke of luck.

-All the officials must be in deep trouble.

-An anonymous Korean saved everyone.

-Who could it be?

-Don't they usually boast about what they did?

-I'm a passenger on the plane. When Senator Phillips asked if he wanted anything, he said, "I'm not a hero and don't want my identity revealed. Everything is thanks to the Air Force mechanic."

-That's right. Even when Bridgeworld Airlines offered a 'lifetime free business class ticket,' he gave it up.

-Wow! How can he do that?

-He's really amazing!

-He's a true hero!

-It's like a superhero from a movie!

-This person should be invited to the White House and awarded by the president!

Reading this made me feel quite embarrassed.

I've never been praised like this in my life.

Of course not, because I never did anything like this before.

The news spread not only in the U.S. but worldwide.

Since a Korean was involved, Korean media also covered the story extensively.

[Bridgeworld Airlines Engine Incident Confirmed to Be Stopped by a Korean]

[Anonymous Korean Who Turned the Plane Around Before Takeoff]

[Korean Saves U.S. Senator and Passengers!]

[Korean Hero: "I Just Did What Was Right"]

[Doesn't Want His Identity Revealed...]

[Local Media Praises and Thanks Korea...]

-What? Another Korean turned a plane around at a U.S. airport?

-Another?

-Last year, the daughter of a Korean airline CEO turned a plane around at LAX because a flight attendant didn't peel a bag of peanuts for her.

-Oh, right!

-The authority and power of Korean tycoons at foreign airports!

-LOL, I thought it was the second 'Peanut Return' when I first saw the headline.

-One turned the plane around because a flight attendant didn't peel a bag of peanuts, and the other did it to save lives.

-This time, it's a good 'return'!

-Didn't he do it to save himself? If the plane had taken off, he would have died too.

-Still, everyone is alive because of him.

-Why are there so many nitpickers?

While I was enjoying the comments, two beautiful women approached me.

The woman on the right had shoulder-length brown hair and a calm expression, while the woman on the left had her hair in a ponytail, wearing jeans and a puffer jacket.

Elena Phillips and Liana Phillips.

The older sister is taller and more mature-looking, while the younger sister is shorter and has a mischievous air.

They are both around my age, but they look younger. This must be because I have regressed in time.

Liana Phillips spoke first.

"Thank you for saving us."

Elena Phillips bowed her head to me.

"I sincerely apologize for what I said earlier."

"It's okay. You didn't know."

She looks even more beautiful in person than on TV.

Elena asked,

"Why are you going to Orlando?"

"Oh! I'm just going there for a vacation."

Liana then said,

"Do you want to travel with us?"

It's a tempting offer.

But I'm not so clueless as to join someone else's family trip. I have things to do.

I shook my head.

"I was planning to, but I'll go straight to New York instead."

"Why New York?"

"To achieve my dream, I guess."

"What's your dream?"

"To be the world's best investor."

"Isn't that a bit too ambitious?"

Elena gently elbowed her sister, as if to say, "Don't be rude."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I'm going to New York to start a hedge fund to achieve that dream."

Elena showed interest.

"Have you worked in that field before?"

"I worked at a securities firm in Korea until recently. I quit because of some issues."

Liana suddenly asked,

"What kind of issues?"

"It's a long story."

"We have time before the flight. Tell us about it."

Since it's not a secret, I told them what happened.

Liana was surprised.

"You exposed a fund's mismanagement and quit?"

"Yes."

Elena clapped her hands.

"I saw that in the news. It was a big deal."

Financial fraud on that scale doesn't happen every day, so it made international headlines.

"Wow! Now I see you're a celebrity. So, you're starting a business after quitting?"

I nodded.

"I had the same dream before, but I failed. I realized I only talked about it but didn't do anything. This time, I'm going to do it for real."

"That's impressive."

As we were talking, Senator Phillips appeared.

"What are you all talking about so animatedly?"

"Dad!"

He bowed to me.

"Thank you again on behalf of everyone."

"You're welcome."

"But don't you need anything? The airport and airline want to give you an award."

"No, everyone is safe, and that's enough."

Awards are useless and have no place for me.

Senator Phillips smiled and extended his hand.

"I will never forget the favor you did for my family. Here's my contact information. If you ever need my help, feel free to reach out."

"Thank you."

This will come in handy.

I firmly shook his hand.

* * *

The family trip was delayed by four hours due to the incident, but they decided to go as planned. They might not get another chance to travel for a while.

Senator Phillips and his family boarded the flight to Orlando.

Liana looked around nervously.

"Is this plane's engine okay?"

Elena scolded her.

"Don't say that. It might make others nervous."

"Pfft! Okay."

Liana then said to her sister,

"Isn't it strange?"

"What is?"

"That guy. Usually, people would boast about what they did."

She's right.

The media was curious about the Korean who stopped the plane before takeoff, but he refused interviews and gave all the credit to the Air Force mechanic sitting next to him.

'He's really a unique person.'

Senator Phillips was also thinking about the young Korean.

'His name is Han Miru, right?'

After being in politics for a long time, one develops a good eye for people. But for some reason, it was hard to judge this young man.

He looked young but seemed experienced, and he seemed to have a goal but didn't ask for anything.

He overheard his daughters' conversation.

'He said he's going to start a hedge fund?'

His words about doing it for real didn't sound like a joke.

Senator Phillips smiled involuntarily.

'Somehow, I feel like I'll meet him again.'