CHAPTER NINETEEN – FRIENDS AT WORK

As Karina followed Tom, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety. Once inside his office, Tom closed the door and turned to face her, his expression a mix of admiration and regret. "Karina, I... I owe you an apology," he began. "I should have stood up for you more. I let Miguel's influence cloud my judgment, and that wasn't fair to you." Karina was taken aback by his candor. "Thank you, Tom. I appreciate that." Tom nodded, looking relieved. "You've proven yourself to be an invaluable member of this team. I want you to know that moving forward, you have my full support." As Karina left Tom's office, she felt a mix of emotions. While it was gratifying to have her supervisor's support, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the calm before another storm. Over the next few weeks, Karina threw herself into her work with renewed vigor. She double-checked every report, triple-verified every figure, and sought input from trusted colleagues on important decisions. Her caut