CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWO - Lines Crossed, Trust Broken

The tension in the room was palpable. Mara glanced at Cassius, silently urging him to intervene. Cassius cleared his throat. "Let's not jump to conclusions. We're still verifying Gabriel's claim. Until then, I expect everyone to maintain a professional demeanor at work." The rest of the dinner passed in strained small talk and long silences. As they were leaving, Mara pulled Cassius aside. "This isn't going well," she whispered. "Clarissa's hostility towards Gabriel is creating a toxic environment." Cassius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. But what can I do? If Gabriel's claims are true, he has a right to be here. And if they're not... well, we need to tread carefully until we know for sure." Mara nodded, understanding the delicate situation. "I'll try to talk to Clarissa, see if I can get her to dial back the aggression a bit." The next day, Mara invited Clarissa to lunch, hoping to have a heart-to-heart conversation. They sat at a quiet corner table in a nearby