The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Clara woke to the faint sound of footsteps in the hallway. She stretched, her body sore from the restless night, but her mind was sharper than ever. She could feel it—the tension that loomed over the house, the weight of unspoken truths. Benjamin wasn't in bed.
She wrapped herself in a robe and stepped out of the room, her feet padding quietly on the cool wooden floor. She found him in the study, pouring over maps and files with Marcus. The intensity in their voices was palpable.
"Benjamin," she called softly, stepping into the room.
His head snapped up, and the stress on his face melted into a softer expression. "Clara, you should still be resting."
"I couldn't," she admitted, crossing the room to stand beside him. "What's going on?"
Marcus glanced at Benjamin, silently asking if they should share the latest developments. With a nod, Benjamin turned to Clara. "Evelyn's making her move. She's got her eyes on our shipments, and there's intel suggesting she's trying to infiltrate our ranks."
Clara frowned. "Infiltrate? How?"
"She's bribing and threatening people close to us," Marcus explained. "It's a classic tactic to create chaos from within."
Clara's stomach churned at the thought. "What can I do to help?"
"You're already helping by being here," Benjamin said, his hand resting on hers. "But this is dangerous, Clara. I need you to promise me you'll stay inside and let us handle it."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "I'll stay safe, but I can't just sit around doing nothing, Benjamin. This is my life, too."
He sighed, knowing her determination was unshakable. "Then stay close to Marcus. He'll keep you updated and out of harm's way."