CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT – THE STAR OF THE SHOW

On the night of the event, Karina stood before her mirror, smoothing down her elegant black dress. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the evening ahead. The gala venue was a grand ballroom, filled with the chatter of executives, clients, and employees. Karina made her way through the crowd, stopping to engage in small talk and introduce herself to potential clients. "Karina! You look stunning," Elena exclaimed, approaching with a glass of champagne in hand. "How are you holding up?" Karina accepted the offered drink gratefully. "Thanks, Elena. I'm doing okay. Just a bit nervous about all the networking." Elena squeezed her arm reassuringly. "You've got this. Everyone's been talking about Project Southside. You're the star of the night." As if on cue, a group of executives approached, eager to discuss the project with Karina. She engaged them confidently, answering questions and outlining her vision for the future. Across the room, Miguel watched the scene unfold, his gr