My mom called me at my top-secret organization, demanding I come home for a blind date.

The candidate sounded ideal—gorgeous beyond belief and a well-known entrepreneur in the area.

Before I left, my superior personally instructed the airline to keep my identity confidential.

I boarded the plane at the agreed time and found my assigned seat. Just as I was about to sit down, someone shoved me hard from behind.

Before I could even react, a man stepped forward, arrogance written all over his face, and waved a wad of cash at me.

“I want this seat. Take the money and get lost.”

I swallowed my anger and said sharply, “I reserved this seat in advance. You have no right to kick me out.”

He scoffed at my protest, his eyes were filled with disdain.

“No right? Listen, I’m the personal assistant to President Dixton. In California, even the birds flying in the sky answer the Dixton family. You got that?”

I stared at him, momentarily stunned, then calmly took out my phone and dialed my fiancée.

“I just heard from someone at your company that the Dixton family practically rules California. Is that how it is?”

——

If it weren’t for my mother, I wouldn’t have even bothered making the call. A seat dispute like this couldn't be solved with cash alone. If the guy had shown a shred of decency, I might’ve let it go.

But before I could say more, her voice came through the line—impatient and cold.

“I’m busy. Hurry up and say what you need to say.”

I raised my brows. “Miss Dixton, maybe ask your assistant what he thinks he’s doing.”

I was about to hand the phone to him when the call abruptly ended.

I stood there, stunned.

Is this how rich people behave?

The man who had stolen my seat burst out laughing, as if he couldn’t contain his amusement.

“Tsk, I thought you were someone important. It turns out President Dixton can’t even be bothered to answer your call!”

Smirking, he sized me up and saw that I was just in my early twenties, dressed simply, and didn’t take me seriously at all.

“You seriously still think you're in the right here?” I shot back, pointing toward a nearby flight attendant. “There are air marshals on board. If you keep this up, I’ll report you.”

The mention of police only made him more smug.

“Kid, do yourself a favor and give it up.”

“This whole airline? It’s owned by the Dixton family. You think anyone here is going to help you?”

He was getting more agitated by the second, practically spitting in my face as he ranted.

I clenched my fists and instinctively took a step back.

“You keep name-dropping the Dixton family. Now I’m curious—what exactly is your relationship with them?”

No sooner had I spoken than he shoved me again.

“What the hell does that have to do with you? Get out of my face!”

“If you don’t move, I’ll make sure you’re thrown off this plane!”

I’d spent most of my adult life secluded in the organization, rarely dealing with civilians—let alone arrogant thugs like him. But now, my patience was wearing dangerously thin.

“You’re already taking my seat—now you’re threatening me too? What’s next, you're gonna crown yourself emperor?”

The words had barely left my mouth when gasps and murmurs erupted throughout the cabin.

“Damn! This kid has got guts—he just mouthed off to Assistant Wesley! He’s dead meat!”

“It’s just a seat! Why cause trouble? Does he even know who Wesley is? He’s President Dixton’s right-hand man!”

“Talk about bad luck. Of all the people to bump into, he just had to pick a fight with Wesley!”

As the murmurs around us grew louder, the assistant’s smug expression deepened.

“You little brat, did you just dare insult me? Looks like you’ve got a death wish!”

His threats didn’t faze me at all. In fact, I almost laughed.

“So you're the chairman’s assistant? Then let me give you a piece of advice—watch your mouth.”

“If you really push me, not even your boss will be able to clean up the mess.”

“What the hell did you just say to me?!”

After cursing me out a few more times, he still seemed unsatisfied. He rolled up his sleeves and lunged at me again.

“Oh? So this is how a personal assistant to the chairman of Meyer Group behaves? Can’t get your way, so now you want to fight?”

He threw several wild slaps in my direction, but not one landed. Frustration twisted his face.

“You damn punk! Just try dodging one more time! I dare you!” he seethed.

“You want me to call President Dixton right now?!”

Despite his constant provocations, I didn’t retaliate. I stayed calm, kept my hands down.

Not because I was scared—but because before I left my post, my superior had warned me repeatedly.

“Everything you say or do outside represents the image of the organization. Avoid all conflicts.”

Besides, I wasn’t the kind to get into fights. But if I did strike, it’s lethal.

Wesley, the assistant, took my silence for cowardice and swung another punch at me.

Just then, a sharp voice rang out from behind.

“Stop right there!”

“Wesley, you’re my assistant. How dare you act like this in public?”

The crowd parted as a stunning young woman in a fiery red dress, flanked by bodyguards, walked briskly toward us.

“You must be Aubrey,” I said, studying her closely.

I had to admit—my mom had a good taste. The woman’s figure was flawless, and she had an imposing aura. But if I had to nitpick, it’d be that her eyes were as cold as ice.

“Miss Dixton, nice to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Camden—”

“No need.”

Before I could finish, Aubrey raised a hand, cutting me off impatiently.

“We’ve met. I can already tell—we’re not compatible. Get off the plane.”

For a moment, I thought I’d misheard her.

It took multiple layers of approval just to secure a half-day off from my organization. And now, right after arriving—before I’ve even finished introducing myself—they’re already sending me away?

Was this a joke?

My temper flared instantly.

“You must be the blind date my mother arranged—Miss Aubrey, correct?”

“You won’t even let me speak, and now you’re telling me to go back? Don’t you think that’s a bit rude?”

She sneered. “Rude?”

“Why don’t you go look in the mirror and ask yourself—do you really think you’re good enough for me?”

She gave me a once-over, her eyes filled with disdain.

“I don’t know what my father was thinking, arranging a marriage with someone as useless as you.”

Her words detonated like a bomb in the cabin.

“What? He’s Aubrey’s fiancé? That’s insane!”

“This guy looks like a total nobody. Does he really think he can marry a goddess like Aubrey? Keep dreaming!”

“President Dixton is the dream woman of every man in California! I, Logan Smith, will personally protest this engagement!”

As the voices around me grew louder and more chaotic, I stood there, completely dumbfounded.

When did I ever say I wanted to marry her?

Even if I did want to, I’d still need approval from my superiors at my organization first.

“Fine, fine. I’m the loser, and you’re the rich heiress. Happy now?” I spat sarcastically. “But since President Dixton isn’t interested in me, I’ll just leave. However...”

I suddenly changed the tone of my voice.

“This first-class seat was reserved in advance by my superior through the airline. No matter how much money you offer, you have no right to sit here.”

As soon as I said that, Assistant Wesley jumped out like a loyal watchdog.

“You little punk, still putting on a show in front of President Dixton, huh?”

“You think you have a say on a plane that belongs to the Dixton family? Who the hell do you think you are?”

Only then did I truly understand the meaning of the term “bootlicker.”

“Assistant Wesley, I’m just trying to sit in the seat that was assigned to me. What does the ownership of the plane have to do with me?” I frowned.

Before I could finish, Aubrey grew visibly annoyed and pulled out her phone on the spot. “What’s the big deal about a first-class seat? I’ll pay ten times the price.”

“I’ll give you a hundred thousand. Take the money and disappear. Don’t let me see your face again,” she continued.

I curved my lips into a faint smile and gave her a half-hearted nod.

“Well, since President Dixton is being so generous, I suppose I can reluctantly accept.”

But just as I turned to walk away, Assistant Wesley suddenly shouted after me.

“Stop right there, you little brat!”

I paused mid-step and turned slowly.

“What now? Changed your mind, Assistant Wesley?”

He gave me a smug grin, then leaned in to whisper something into Aubrey’s ear.

The next second, California’s so-called youngest billionaire snapped.

“Camden, did you just lay a hand on my people?”

Judging by Wesley’s expression, I could already guess he had just painted me as the villain. And I had to admit—his tactic of using someone else to do the dirty work was brutally effective.

Given how Aubrey already viewed me, I knew no amount of explaining would help. So I didn’t bother trying.

“Whether I hit him or not doesn’t matter anymore. Just tell me—what do you want to do about it?”

She hadn’t expected me to be so direct. For a moment, she actually looked a little stunned.

“What do I want? Of course, I want an apology!”

I raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at my lips.

“An apology? Yeah, that’s not happening. Maybe you two can come up with a different solution.”

“One million!” Wesley suddenly jumped in gleefully.

“As President Dixton’s personal assistant, I’m involved in multimillion-dollar deals daily.”

“Just now, you pushed me, and I’m not feeling too well. You’ll have to take responsibility!”

Gasps erupted around us.

Even Aubrey looked caught off guard.

“Wesley, isn’t one million a bit... excessive?”

“Even if you went to the hospital and did a full-body scan, it wouldn’t cost that much.”

But Wesley just waved her off.

“No, no, President Dixton, you’re thinking too small.”

“As your assistant, I was assaulted on your family’s own plane. The damage isn’t just physical—it’s to our reputation!”

“The fact that we’re only asking for one million means we’re actually going easy on him.”

Aubrey paused, considering it for a moment, then gave a slow nod.

“Fine. One million it is. I’ll pay it.”

Before they could think twice, I spoke up.

“Deal.”

Instantly, every pair of eyes on the plane locked onto me.