Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 354

"Being your partner in this life is exhausting enough. If I were your actual brother, I'd probably die of a stress-induced heart attack," Owen shot back. Between her studies, her relentless tech innovations, and her aggressive expansion of their business empire, he was the one left managing the chaos, recruiting the talent, and keeping everything afloat.

"Fine, I'll be your older sister in the next life. Then I can take care of you."

"Shut up." He wanted to flick her forehead. Sister? Brother? Couldn't she offer something a bit more romantic? He pushed the thought away. She was still young; this wasn't the time.

He had barely found his footing when the plane jerked wildly again, nearly sending them to the floor.

"That psychotic bastard," Mira hissed, her eyes blazing. "He's worse than Shane and Mara combined! If we get on the ground, I'm going to ruin him!"

Looking at her—fierce, entirely unyielding, and practically radiating vengeance—Owen's lips twitched into a dark smirk.

"Then why didn't you ruin Shane when you had the chance?"

"Timing. I'll deal with him this semester."

"Good. I might need to take some notes."

Because they were in first class, the cockpit wasn't far. They finally reached the secured door, where two frantic flight attendants were pounding on the frame, trying to establish communication.

Owen pulled out his commercial pilot's license. "I can fly this plane. Tell the captain to open the door, now."

With her extensive background in pharmacology, Mira instantly recognized the symptoms.

The captain slowly turned his deathly pale face, his bloodshot eyes locking onto Owen's pilot license. With a shuddering breath, he unbuckled his harness and dragged himself out of the seat. He had reached his absolute physical limit. He didn't care who took the yoke—even a hijacker was better than a catastrophic nosedive,as at least there would be a chance to turn things around. But once the plane crashed, it would all be over.

The co-pilot followed suit, aided by the terrified flight attendants who hauled them into the galley.

Owen slid into the captain's seat, his eyes instantly scanning the dizzying array of instruments, his hands moving with practiced precision over the controls.

Mira dropped into the co-pilot's seat, her mind racing as she analyzed the symptoms. Where did the poison come from? If the cockpit was contaminated, Owen would be next, and they would all be dead.