CHAPTER TWENTY SIX – THE MERGER

As they entered, Karina immediately sensed the tension in the air. Her colleagues huddled in small groups, whispering furiously amongst themselves. At the front of the room stood Miguel Eladio, his face a mask of tightly controlled fury. The room fell silent as Miguel cleared his throat, his steely gaze sweeping across the assembled employees. "I'm sure by now many of you have heard rumors," he began, his voice low and dangerous. "Let me be clear: This is not a rumor. This is a crisis." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Sensitive information about our upcoming merger with TechNova Industries has been leaked to the press. The Wall Street Journal is running a front-page story as we speak, detailing confidential aspects of the deal that were known only to a select few within this company." A collective gasp rippled through the room. Karina felt her stomach drop. The TechNova merger had been Miguel's pet project for months, a deal that could potentially double the c