tied back in a tight bun, not a single strand out of place, framed a stern, pale face. Under her eyes, dark circles were beginning to form like small shadows, almost imperceptible, but constant.

on of herself. She was used to that reflection. To the image of the imperturbable executive, the wo

"You're not just another one. You didn't come here to

A, a clinical silence reigned. Lucía sat, clasped her hands on the glass desk, and reviewed the notes in the work environment report. It was a

opened precisely. Bruno Ortega crossed the threshold without w

ing, adjusting his navy blue jacket while his

assesses all employees: from his hairdo-neat, not a strand out of place-to t

p," she replied, gesturing to

se on his lap and interlaced his fingers. He seemed re

ow why I'm h

ssed with the NCA logo in silver. Inside, th

ent. My task is to review every step and implement corrective measure

really looking at them, as if he already knew the contents. "Your repo

me here to m

t sad for a moment. "But you know this isn't just a game of

e wh

s that aren't stated in contracts. Orders that aren'

lied a warning or a confession. There was something in the w

strings," he r

ead slightly, as if

nd the role you play in here? That there's something

reath shortened. Wa

s control is a threat

something in her gaze that wasn't confrontation

un

A tiny tremor that's barely noticeable. It reminds me of myself when I came here, hoping that work would protect me

here isn't just work. Sometimes you survive by cl

cí

mfortable, but at the same time... it's the first time in years someone has spoken to me as if they saw me. Not as a tool,

silence with

know the policies. Relationships ar

y. The folder was fo

ng to the only thing they have left," and he looked at

l, but something inside her trembled. She wasn't afrai

e door, but before

n executioners

he l

eyes to the window. The city was still there, impas