Valdares had presented. Her inclusion in the high-level audit project felt surreal, but Paula knew

Whispers followed her as coworkers glanced at her with a mix of curio

er, marked confidentia

uments and prepare your initial findi

eight of her nerves, but Paula took a deep breath. She had never back

een struggling with profitability. As Paula sifted through the data, she noticed discrepancies similar to the ones she ha

desk becoming cluttered with notes and highlighted

asked, eyeing t

Paula replied w

said with a laugh. "But seriously, good l

small smile before r

ffice, watching the city skyline as Va

said. "I've already sent her the pr

ow she handles pressure. It's one thing to catch a mistake;

re asking, "Do you think she's read

nreadable. "That's what we're about to find

including himself. He wasn't giving Paula this opportunity as a favor. He expecte

me with her, spreading them across the kitch

father asked gently, placi

readsheet. "It's important. I have t

ely," her father said. "Just rem

ybe if you do really well, they'l

er stress. "Let's not g

g. She had identified key areas of concern in the subsidiary's operations,

nerves. The room was filled with senior executives, all of whom greeted her with polit

he head of the table. His eyes briefly met P

ently for her turn, her palms damp as she clutched her notes. When Anto

rough her. "I've reviewed the financial reports for the subsidiary, and I'

vendor contracts, and inconsistent inventory records. She explained her findings metho

confidence grew with every word, her earlier nervousness replaced by a sense of clarity. She knew

fixed on her, taking in every detail. He asked a few pointed quest

iencies and implement stricter controls, we could reduce costs by up to 15% in the nex

ng as she sat back down. The silence that foll

analysis is thorough, and your recommendations are actionable. I'd like

ave such direct praise, especially to someone so new to the inner workings o

. I'll get star

She had expected Antonio to challenge her findings or dismiss her ideas entirely. Inste

th Vanessa and a few key

her?" one of them aske

p. Disciplined. She sees details most people miss, but more importa

ee someone at her level handle

her. For now, let's see how she han

the office, coordinating with the audit team and refining her recommendations. The more sh

ve, others grew envious of the attention she was receiving. Paula did he

g by the window of his office, speaking on the phone. He glanced in her

t she had no time to dwell on the enigmatic

ior executives. The plan was ambitious but realistic, with clear timelines and measurab

is tone carrying more weight than she expected. "This is exa

th a mixture of pride and

of the meeting. As the executiv

en yourself capable, but this is only the beginning. If you want to succeed in

olve firm. "I understand, s

e of approval in his eyes. "

xperienced before. For the first time, she saw a glimpse of a future she hadn't dared

different from anyone he had worked with before. She wasn't just com

e brink of a deeper connection-one that would challenge every