Chapter 169: A World on Edge
Author: Clare Felix
last update2026-01-29 23:41:47

The economic reports started appearing six weeks after Adrian's UN address, each one more alarming than the last. Dr. Chen brought them to the morning briefing, his expression grim.

"Global poverty rates have dropped 10.7% in regions with active Hope Cluster operations," he announced, pulling up charts that should have been cause for celebration. Instead, the data carried an ominous undertone. "That's unprecedented. Historical poverty reduction moves at maybe half a percent annually. We've achieved twenty years of progress in six weeks."

"That's what we wanted," Aisha said. "Isn't it?"

"It's what we wanted," Adrian agreed, studying the cascading economic indicators. "But look at what else is happening."

The charts told a disturbing story. In regions where Hope Clusters had successfully eliminated poverty, economic patterns were shifting dramatically. Wage floors were rising as desperate labor evaporated. Companies that relied on exploitative practices were closing. Entire business mod
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