CLAIRE

The facility felt different on Monday evening, there was an energy in the air that hadn't been there before. Purpose, focus and determination.

My team arrived in shifts, ready to work. Maria came first, rolling up her sleeves the moment she walked through the door. Elena followed with her sister, then the others, trickling in around five PM.

Nina was already there when I arrived, organizing the production floor. She'd rearranged the workstations into a circle, just like we'd discussed.

"Everything's ready," she reported, clipboard in hand. "Dinner's confirmed for seven. The catering company said they'll deliver hot food, not cold trays."

"Thank you for handling all this," I...