CHAPTER TWELVE – PEACEMAKER

As Karina made her way to Miguel's office, she could feel the eyes of her colleagues following her. Whispers trailed in her wake. She took a deep breath, steeling herself before knocking on the imposing oak door. "Enter," Miguel's cold voice called out. Karina stepped inside, her chin held high despite her racing heart. Miguel sat behind his massive desk, not bothering to look up from the papers in front of him. "You wanted to see me, Mr. Eladio?" Miguel finally raised his eyes, his gaze cutting through her. "Yes, Ms. Zaslav. I've been reviewing your work on the Johnson account. Care to explain why you've deviated from our standard procedures?" Karina blinked, caught off guard. "I... I'm not sure what you mean. I followed all protocols-" "Really?" Miguel interrupted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He pushed a file across the desk. "Then perhaps you can explain why the client feedback form is missing from section three? Or why the risk assessment is incomplete?" Karina's mind r