Clara arrived an hour later, her helicopter landing in the field behind the community center. She walked into the room with Enzo and two other agents, her expression warm and concerned but Zara saw the cold calculation in her eyes now, the mask slipping just enough to reveal what lay beneath.
"Zara, thank god you're safe," Clara said, moving to embrace her. "We got word Vance had Chen, and we were worried about you both. I've already sent a team to rescue him we'll have him back soon."
"Don't touch me," Zara said, stepping away. "We know the truth, Clara. We know you founded The Root. We know you've been pulling the strings this whole time."
Clara's smile faded, replaced by a look of disappointment that might have been convincing if Zara hadn't already seen the evidence. "Zara, what are you talking about? The Root killed your parents you know I've been fighting them alongside you."
"Did they?" Zara asked, pulling out another document Winston had given her. "According to these police reports, the men who attacked my family were working for a land development company that you secretly owned at the time. You needed our land for one of your early projects."
The room erupted in gasps and murmurs. The farmers looked from Zara to Clara, their faces filled with confusion and fear.
Clara's expression hardened completely now, the warm mentor gone without a trace. "You always were too smart for your own good," she said, her voice cold as ice. "I should have dealt with you years ago, but I thought I could use you your anger, your desire for justice. You were so easy to manipulate."
Enzo stepped forward, his hand on his weapon. "Clara what is she talking about?"
"Stand down, Enzo," she said without looking at him. "You've served me well, but this is beyond your clearance now. The truth is, The Root isn't some terrorist organization it's the only thing keeping this country from falling apart. Without us to manage the land, the resources, the people chaos would reign."
"You call this managing?" Derrick Morgan shouted, stepping forward. "Beating farmers, burning crops, threatening children?"
"Collateral damage," Clara said dismissively. "Necessary to achieve our goals. The resort development will bring jobs, infrastructure, prosperity to this province. Most of these farmers will be better off working for us than struggling to survive on their own."
"I'd rather struggle on my own land than be your slave!" another farmer yelled.
Clara sighed, shaking her head. "So be it. Enzo take them into custody. We'll say they were working with Vance to destabilize the province. The public will understand they always do."
But Enzo didn't move. He looked from Clara to Zara, his face torn. "Is it true? Everything she's saying is it true?"
"Ask her about the offshore accounts," Zara said. "Ask her why she's been transferring millions to her personal accounts while farmers starve."
Enzo looked at Clara, waiting for her denial. When none came, he slowly stepped away from her, his weapon now pointed at the ground.
"I can't do this," he said quietly. "I joined this fight to protect people not to be part of their oppression."
"Fool," Clara spat. She pulled out her own weapon, pointing it at Enzo. "You think you can stop me? I have people in every level of government, every branch of the military. This province will be mine one way or another."
Before she could pull the trigger, Sasha moved forward, placing her hand on Clara's arm. "Please," she said, her voice breaking. "My father he thought you were helping us. He died believing in you."
"Your father was weak," Clara said, pulling her arm away. "He couldn't see the bigger picture. But you still have potential. Stand with me, and you'll have power, wealth, respect. Refuse, and you'll end up like him."
Sasha looked at Zara, then at the farmers gathered behind her people who'd trusted her, who'd shared their fears and hopes with her. She thought of her father, of the farm he'd loved so much.
"No," she said firmly. "I won't be part of this anymore."