CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE – THE FIRST OUTBURST

Karina sat back, processing this unexpected revelation. For the first time, she saw Miguel not just as her tormentor, but as a complex human being with his own scars and motivations. "I... I'm sorry about your childhood," she said carefully. "But that doesn't justify—" "I'm not looking for your pity or your approval," Miguel cut her off, his walls slamming back into place. "I'm simply explaining why I run my company the way I do. Take it or leave it." The table fell into an uncomfortable silence. Alex looked between his sister and his best friend, unsure of how to proceed. Finally, Karina spoke. "I still think your management style is unnecessarily harsh. But... I can appreciate where it comes from." Miguel nodded stiffly. "And I... may have been overly critical of your work. You're not entirely incompetent." Alex let out a relieved chuckle. "Well, that's progress, I suppose. Maybe we can finish our dinner without any more shouting?" As they turned their attention back to their