The moment the question echoed across the hall, Benjamin didn't hesitate. He nodded immediately, stepping forward with confidence, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment."Absolutely," he said loudly, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "He is an E-level citizen." A wave of whispers followed instantly. "And if you're all wondering how he even got in here…" Benjamin continued, turning slightly so more people could hear him clearly, "Penelope was the one who brought him in." That statement hit harder than the first. Now the attention shifted. From Liam… to Penelope.Benjamin didn't stop. "He came in with her," he added. "And if I remember correctly…" He paused, pretending to think. "Wasn't it clearly stated that organizers are not allowed to partake in bidding?" A few people nodded slowly. "Yes," someone muttered. Benjamin spread his hands slightly. "So what does that tell you?" His tone became sharper. "This is not just a coincidence." He pointed directly at Liam. "This is

Benjamin's mind was spiraling and nothing made sense anymore. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out at first. He just stared at Liam, then at the stunned crowd, then back again. How? That was the only thought repeating in his head. "How is this possible…" he finally muttered under his breath, his voice barely stable. "How did he afford something like this?" His expression twisted. "He's an E-level citizen…" His eyes narrowed further. "Just days ago, he was working in a mining site… struggling for hospital bills… for his mother…" He shook his head slowly, like trying to wake himself from a bad dream. "No… no, this doesn't add up." Victoria stood frozen beside him, her earlier confidence completely gone. For once, she didn't speak. Because even she couldn't explain it anymore.Then Liam turned. Slowly. His gaze landed on Victoria first, and the air around him felt different now. Colder. Sharper. "I was trying to forget," he said quietly, "what you did." Victoria's throat tight

Without waiting for any response, Liam began to walk.Penelope immediately followed beside him, her steps quick but careful, her eyes still filled with lingering shock from everything that had just happened.As they walked away, the tension they left behind didn’t fade.It only changed shape.The moment Liam and Penelope disappeared from view, the silence broke.Not gently.Violently.Mr. Zachariah turned sharply toward Benjamin.Before Benjamin could even react, Zachariah grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him forward.“Do you know what the hell you are doing?!” he shouted прямо into his face.Benjamin’s eyes widened.The force of the grip made his breath hitch.Zachariah’s voice thundered again.“Do you think it’s everybody you can mess with? Do you?!”His grip tightened.His face was red with anger now.“Don’t you know that some people are sharks?!”Benjamin struggled slightly, but Zachariah didn’t let go.“In the river,” Zachariah continued harshly, “there are fishes others don’t

Immediately, Victoria exhaled sharply, still rubbing her cheek with a painful wince.“It doesn’t take you twice to just let me follow you,” she said quickly. Her voice was still unstable, but her curiosity was louder than her pain. “There are so many things I also need to hear myself.”Benjamin paused for a moment, looking at her with a tired expression.Then he shook his head.“No need for that,” he said firmly. “No need.”He adjusted his posture slightly, as if trying to regain control of his thoughts.“I will keep you updated,” he added. “You can just go home. I’ll tell you everything later.”Victoria hesitated for a second, then slowly nodded.“Alright then,” she said, still touching her swollen cheek. “If that is the case, I will just go.”She sighed deeply.“My face literally needs massage and cold water,” she muttered. “And I will see a specialist… because this damage is serious.”Her eyes narrowed slightly as she added,“But just keep me updated.”Benjamin gave a short nod.“I

The car went quiet again.Only the sound of movement on the road filled the gap.Then—Without wasting another second, Liam nodded.“It’s fine,” he said simply.Penelope blinked, turning slightly toward him.“No problem.”His tone was calm.“If I get there… and it is something I can handle…”A small pause.“Then I will do it.”His eyes softened slightly.“What is the point… if not to save a life?”That sentence alone carried weight.“Saving lives is part of it,” he continued.“And if I can do it… then I will gladly do so.”He leaned back slightly.“You have nothing to worry about.”Penelope stared at him for a second.Then her face lit up.A genuine smile.“Really?” she asked, her voice filled with surprise. “You’re going to try and help?”Liam nodded again.“Yes.”“That’s what I will do.”The joy on Penelope’s face was immediate.“Thank you,” she said quickly. “Thank you so much for wanting to help.”Her voice carried real gratitude.Then she asked, a bit eagerly now,“When will you