CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR - UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES

    As she organized cleaning supplies, a small spark of hope flickered in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, things were about to change.  The following morning, Nia arrived at Colossius Tech with a mix of trepidation and determination. The events of the previous day - her disastrous meeting with Mr. Harlow and her candid conversation with Leon Allistair - weighed heavily on her mind. As she pushed her cleaning cart through the lobby, she noticed an unusual buzz of activity. A group of IT workers, their lanyards swinging nervously, approached her. Nia recognized a few faces but couldn't recall their names. They huddled around her, speaking in hushed tones. "Uh, hey Nia," one of them, a lanky guy with thick-rimmed glasses, started. "We, uh, heard about what you're doing. You know, with the budget stuff." Nia felt her heart rate quicken. How had they found out? "Oh?" she replied, trying to keep her voice neutral. "What exactly did you hear?" Another IT worker, a woman with curly red h