16 : Verify It

ELIJAH

I feel a tug at my heart when Irene mentions Rena’s name, a sharp pain that I try to push aside. Her name keeps coming up in everything, and it's frustrating. “Is everything running smoothly in the borders?” I ask in an attempt to change the topic.

Irene furrows her brow, clearly puzzled by my sudden shift in topic. "Why are you avoiding my question?" she probes, her curiosity evident in her voice.

My jaw clenches, anger simmering beneath the surface. “That’s none of your concern. I didn’t call you here to be interrogated,” I retort sharply.

But Irene doesn't back down, her smirk only growing wider as she leans in, her eyes fixed on me. "This just got interesting," she remarks, her curiosity clearly piqued. "There's something off about you today," she observes, her gaze scanning me from head to toe. "You look like a mess. Your hair's unkempt, your suit is not ironed, and the files are disorganized. Yet here you are, sitting amidst it all."

I sigh in annoyance. Irene know