C14 - Not a chance.

Surprisingly, Miguel didn't confront Lara the next morning. Uncle George said he left early.

Lara secretly thanked her stars. She couldn't think of any excuse for coming home late the previous night. She just hoped he wouldn't reprimand her at the office.

After breakfast, she headed to work. Her eyes weren't as swollen, which was a relief. She only looked tired, and not because she had cried last night.

"Lara, take this to the boardroom," Ashley ordered, her hand trembling as she handed Lara a folder.

Lara glanced up from the report she was working on.

"Hurry up," Ashley added.

She sighed and accepted the folder. On her way there, she ran into Leonie, whose head was bowed after leaving the boardroom where the executive staff briefing was ongoing before the quarterly Board meeting later in the day.

Seeing Leonie and Ashley, Lara felt hesitant to enter the room. She hadn't even reached the door yet when she heard Miguel's shout.

Her heart raced as she stepped inside and found an employe