The victim list began taking shape near the building entrance as the sun climbed higher. One man wrote names in a notebook while others submitted their information through a group chat. When Irene's turn came, she did not answer immediately. “I do not need to state the amount in front of everyone.” The man taking notes looked up. “We are not forcing you, ma’am, but the information will help if we file a joint report later.” “I will speak directly with the people from the office.” A woman behind her sighed. “That is what all of us want.” Irene felt the remark lower the position she had been trying to preserve since she arrived. She lowered her sunglasses slightly and looked at the people in front of her one by one. “I do not think you understand who I am.” The woman who had

The building door opened only a few dozen centimeters before three men appeared from inside. The crowd immediately shifted forward, but the man at the back moved to the side of the entrance and blocked the way without raising his voice. The man in front had closely cropped hair, a solid build, and a calm way of studying the crowd. He did not look eager for a fight, but the distance he kept from the entrance made it clear that anyone trying to get inside would have to pass him first. “Everyone step back a little. Do not block the entrance.” The second man had tattoos along one arm and a smile that appeared too quickly whenever he saw someone panicking. His eyes moved over clothes, faces, and hands as though he were looking for whoever would be easiest to provoke. The third man barely spoke. His gaze moved from phones to hands and then toward the exits, and whenever someone edged too close to the door, he adjus

By morning, the street in front of the Instant Wealth building was already crowded when Peter and Mr. Wong arrived from Melody Paradise. Norma and Mr. Hendra had asked them to come because the victims needed help keeping their attention on evidence instead of turning on one another or making new accusations out of anger. Norma approached immediately with her phone and several sheets of notes they had organized overnight. “Doctor, we have collected the victims’ names, losses, destination accounts, agent numbers, and whatever screenshots are still available.” Peter accepted the summary and read through several sections without offering false reassurance. “Good. Separate what each victim says from facts that can already be verified, so everyone knows what still needs checking.” Mr. Hendra opened another folder containing contracts, transfer receipts, and copies of conversations. “We also

Amanda was the first to step out of the vehicle, moving quickly toward the sidewalk. Her eyes immediately searched the crowd for Irene before shifting toward the phones still pointed at the building entrance. She did not shout or cry. Instead, Amanda examined her mother closely, taking in the reddened cheek, disheveled hair, wrinkled scarf, and broken glasses clenched in one hand. Concern and social embarrassment appeared almost together. “Mom, who did this to you?” Amanda asked. Irene did not give her the full sequence of events. She displayed her cheek and lifted the damaged glasses as though the two were enough to establish who was right and who was wrong. “They slapped me in front of everyone,” Irene said. “They have been treating our family as though we have no dignity.” Amanda turned toward the three guards and asked who had done it. Iren

Amanda stood a few steps in front of Peter, no longer angry only because of what had happened to her mother. After Irene’s version of Peter’s arrival began to fall apart, the Bernadus daughter chose what she believed was a stronger argument, one built on the past and a moral obligation that could not be tested with a single question. “You are right that the investment problem should be kept separate,” Amanda said while tucking her hair behind one ear. “But there is something else you cannot simply erase.” Peter looked at her without interrupting. The people around them gradually grew quieter as the conversation shifted away from the empty office and toward a family history only a few people understood. “Our family accepted you when you had nothing,” Amanda continued. “You lived in our house, ate at our table, and were treated as part of the family.”