Chapter 5: Clash of Allegiances

The tension in the office was thick as Edith returned to her desk after the news report. She could sense the anxiety radiating off her colleagues, each of them silently processing the implications of the situation in Croacari.

As she settled into her chair, Markus appeared at her side, his expression grave. "Did you see the news?" he asked quietly.

Edith nodded, her mind still racing with thoughts. "Yeah. It's bad. Bad," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Markus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I can't help but wonder if other agencies are involved in this. What if Hemingway Industries is funding the government's measures?" he mused, his brow furrowed in concern.

Edith swallowed hard, the implications sinking in. "And what if CJA is?" she added, the weight of the possibility heavy on her shoulders.

Markus's eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing his features. "If that's true, then we're in deeper trouble than we thought," he murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

---

Back at his apartment, Zain couldn't shake the unease that lingered after the news report. Cian and Kasey's presence did little to distract him from the gravity of the situation.

"So, what do you think about all this?" Kasey asked, breaking the uneasy silence that had settled between them.

Zain sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. It's... unsettling," he admitted, his thoughts still swirling with uncertainty.

Cian raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful. "Do you think other agencies are involved in this mess?" he asked, voicing the same question that had been nagging at Zain.

Zain hesitated, weighing his words carefully. "It's possible. Hemingway Industries has a lot of influence, and CJA... well, it's hard to believe they'd be such rule breakers--moral code n' all--but with their whole 'greater good' mantra I wouldn't be surprised if they were also helping the rebels," he replied, his tone somber.

Cian and Kasey exchanged glances, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "If that's true, then who knows what's going on behind the scenes," Kasey muttered, his voice tinged with unease.

---

As Zain's phone rang, he glanced at the caller ID, his heart sinking at the sight of his father's name. With a deep breath, he answered the call.

"Father," Zain greeted, his tone neutral.

"Zain, I need you to listen carefully," his father's voice came through the line, urgent and commanding.

Zain braced himself for whatever news his father had to deliver. "What is it?" he asked, steeling himself for the worst.

---

Meanwhile, Edith's phone buzzed with a call from her parents. With a resigned sigh, she answered, knowing they would be worried about her.

"Hi, Mom, and Dad," Edith greeted, trying to sound calm despite the turmoil swirling inside her.

"Edith, darling, are you alright?" her mother's voice came through the line, filled with concern.

"I'm fine, Mom. Just a little busy with work," Edith replied, her mind racing with thoughts of the escalating situation in Croacari.

Her father's voice joined in, his tone stern. "You need to be careful, Edith. You're a smart girl and we trust you to remove yourself from the higher-ups," he warned.

Edith's heart sank at her parents' words. 'Too late' she thought bitterly, knowing that she was already in too deep.

K.M Strunk