CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE – DIFFERENT FROM THE REST

"Why did you really bring me back? I mean, after everything that happened..." Miguel sighed, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Honestly? Because you're the best person for the job. And because... I missed having someone who wasn't afraid to challenge me." Karina felt her breath catch. "Miguel, I..." But before she could finish her thought, Miguel continued, his voice taking on a vulnerability she'd never heard before. "Do you know how lonely it is at the top?" he said quietly. "Everyone's always agreeing with me, always telling me what they think I want to hear. But not you. You've never been afraid to tell me when I'm wrong." Karina found herself leaning forward, drawn in by his unexpected openness. "I didn't realize... I always thought you resented me for that." Miguel shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Resent you? No. Frustrated by you? Absolutely. But I've always respected you, Karina. Even when I wanted to fire you." They both laughed at that, the tension