CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY NINE – THE NEWS IS PUBLIC

The next morning, they woke to a flurry of congratulatory messages and calls. News of their engagement had spread quickly, overshadowing the negative press of the past weeks. Even some of the board members who had been wavering in their support reached out with well-wishes. As they sat having breakfast, discussing their plans for the day, Miguel's phone rang. It was Tom Reeves. "Miguel," Tom said, his voice urgent, "you need to see this. Richard Hartman just announced a hostile takeover bid for Eladio Enterprises." Miguel's grip tightened on the phone. "Call an emergency board meeting. We'll be there in an hour." As he hung up, he looked at Karina, worry etched on his face. But instead of the fear he expected to see mirrored in her eyes, he saw determination. "We knew this might happen," Karina said, standing up. "Let's go show them what we're made of." As the date of the high-stakes business gala approached, tension in the Eladio household reached a fever pitch. Karina stood in