WHEN VOICES RISE

: Voices

else, and secrets had a way of slipping through cracks in the walls. But lately, it felt more like a

nd the smell of freshly brewed coffee did little to settle her nerves. Her mind was elsewhere, replaying the conversation with David over and o

the chair across from her. "We've been talking, and if Davi

ut we can't just jump in without thinking

we've got two options: go underground, keep everything quiet and under wra

ed to being in the dark, to being controlled. The second option was riskier, but it had the potential to turn the tide. People were alread

her jaw. "We need to give them the truth. T

e evidence to present to the

glanced at the screen and found a message from David: "

et, far from prying eyes. David had been playing his cards close to the chest, and Clara couldn't shake the feeling

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ock M

ight over the water, making everything feel distant and hazy. She could hear the distan

the water, his back turned to her. He d

aid, his voice ting

the conversation that was about to unfold. "I've go

deals with people outside Brayford-bigger players. The resort isn't the endgame. It's jus

had suspected something larger was at play, but seeing it laid out in front of her felt like a punch to the gut. Th

ed, his voice hard. "They'll turn Brayford into a luxury enclave. The working class, the families w

list of landowners who had already signed off on the deals. Some names were familiar; others, she didn't reco

w how deep this goes, but I know this: if we don't act soon, it'll be

ut to mobilize the town to fight back. People needed to see this for what i

the folder. "This needs to go directly to the people. We need

need to be careful. There are people in town who are on

d. "I don't care. The

been hearing rumors. The corporation isn't just planning to buy up

cold. "What do you

ipulation. They've already begun using intimidation tactics, threatening people who hav

sudden disappearances, about people backing down from protests, about the quiet threats t

id, her voice firm. "We'll make sur

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therin

takes had just escalated. The corporation's plans weren't just a business venture-they were an act of war on the

d be lies, threats, and possibly violence. But Clara was done waiting. It was

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ing

aken root inside her. She could feel the weight of her decision settling in. She wasn't just fighting for the tow

t When Voices Rise, the

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