Chapter 81

Cary collapsed into his seat, visibly defeated and silenced, his face a mask of humiliation.

Yet internally, he boiled with fury. Evelina had betrayed him, and he was determined not to let her escape consequence.

For Evelina, Cary's feelings were a distant concern. Even as Jasper declared her his, she only briefly registered surprise before focusing on the crisis at hand.

Upon receiving the purser's update on the co-pilot's injury, Evelina's expression turned grave. She immediately requested lan to fetch a windproof jacket for Jasper.

The purser, who had planned to send Evelina into the cockpit because the co-pilot was confined to his post,was taken aback by her request.

Jasper took a moment to explain the severity of the situation to the purser.

The purser wasted no time in contacting the captain through the intercom. Following a quick discussion, it was decided that once the cockpit door opened, Jasper would step in to assume co-pilot duties, allowing the injured co-pilot to exit for medical care.

This plan was deemed the most practicaI given the current emergency.

Nonetheless, a passenger, misunderstanding the plan, asked Jasper,"Why are you to assume the co-pilot's role? Are you even qualified to fly?"

Jasper ignored the baseless skepticism.

Why would he enter the cockpit if he lacked the necessary skills?

The urgency in the cockpit was clear, indicating.that the situation might be graver than it appeared.

Witnessing Jasper face undue criticism, Evelina couldn't hold back. She defended him vehemently to the questioning passenger, saying,"a former Air Force pilot and flew fighter jets. We're about to navigate through a storm, and cooperation is crucial. If you can't contribute positively, at least remain quiet and stop stirring panic."

"You-" the man said, about to hurl an insult. But suddenly, lan's hand came down hard on his head,effectively cutting him off.

This man was known to lan; he was the spoiled son of a prominent businessman from Ireah.

Once he realized it was lan who had struck him, he chose to remain silent.

Returning with the jacket Evelina had asked for, lan addressed Jasper. "Mr. Russell." Evelina then took the jacket from lan and helped Jasper into it.

As Evelina fitted the jacket on him, Jasper was momentarily swept up by the thought of their possible future together-Evelina as his wife, her warmth, her care for his well-being, and her readiness to defend him.

Though Jasper had never previously considered marriage appealing, the idea of marrying Evelina seemed not just tolerable, but desirable.

"Jasper, best of luck. We're all behind you," Evelina said, concealing the dread and reluctance that weighed on her heart.

Initially, Evelina had thought of Jasper as merely a brief