Prodding

As the tension in the room settled after Senator Moreno's sharp questioning, Michael straightened in his chair, preparing himself for what was likely the next round of inquiries. The hearing was only halfway through, and he knew the toughest questions could still be ahead. But as long as the focus remained on Reyes Corporation's accomplishments, he felt confident he could weather the storm.

Senator Isabel Santiago, the chairwoman, gave a brief glance at her notes before continuing. "Thank you, Senator Moreno. I think we've sufficiently covered the background of Mr. Reyes for now. Let's pivot back to the larger issue at hand, the impact of Reyes Corporation's rapid expansion on the Filipino people."

Michael took the moment of reprieve to glance down at the notes Juliet had passed him earlier. Focus on growth, focus on jobs. Stay calm. He nodded slightly to himself. That was the message they needed to stick to.