CHAPTER FORTY FIVE – UTTER CONFUSION

Before she could talk herself out of it, Karina grabbed her coat and headed for her car. The drive to the main office was a blur, her thoughts a whirlwind of questions and uncertainties. As she pulled into the nearly empty parking lot, Karina took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation ahead. The security guard at the front desk looked surprised to see her but waved her through after checking her ID. The elevator ride to the executive floor felt interminable. When the doors finally opened, Karina stepped out, her heart pounding. She half-expected to find the floor deserted, but a sliver of light shone from under Miguel's office door. Gathering her courage, Karina knocked. "Come in," Miguel's voice called out, sounding tired. As Karina entered the office, Miguel looked up from his desk, his eyes widening in surprise. "Ms. Zaslav? What are you doing here so late?" Karina closed the door behind her, squaring her shoulders. "Mr. Eladio, we need to talk." Miguel leaned