Amanda’s accusation that Peter still held a grudge divided the crowd again. Some victims began linking his calm attitude to the story they had just heard, while others waited for more facts because too much of the family history remained unexplained. Amanda saw the opening and simplified her version. “Peter lived with our family, accepted our help, and then walked away once he had a name of his own.” The statement was easy to understand, so it spread quickly through the crowd. Some newcomers soon heard an even shorter version that Peter had once lived off the Bernadus family before becoming successful. A man who was always impressed by wealthy families immediately commented that a family as prominent as the Bernadus family must have helped Peter greatly. The moralizing man agreed that personal problems should not erase a debt of gratitude. Damar looked at both of them. “We do

The confrontation with the guards had not given Amanda the victory she expected. Richard remained tense, Irene kept demanding firmness, and the head guard continued enforcing the same rules without giving them an opening to turn family status into leverage. Amanda finally turned toward Peter. If the three guards could not be moved by the Bernadus name or Richard’s accomplishments, her former fiancé seemed easier to pressure through their shared past. “You’re deliberately letting Richard face them alone, aren’t you?” she asked. Peter frowned. “I never told him to step forward.” “But you’re just standing there.” “He chose to speak for himself.” Amanda pushed her hair back and moved half a step closer. “If you still care even a little about our family, help us once.”<

Bobby Malone walked toward the building with five bodyguards maintaining a tight formation around him. Nobody shouted or issued theatrical threats, yet the crowd still opened a path because their formation made it obvious who was being protected and who would be treated as an obstacle. Mr. Wong recognized Bobby from business news and conversations with customers. “That’s Bobby Malone, Sandra Steel’s fiancé, isn’t it?” Peter nodded without looking away. Bobby’s relationship with the Steel family was enough to make his name widely known, but Peter did not assume anything about Instant Wealth merely because he had appeared there. The head guard’s manner became more formal as Bobby approached. His posture straightened, his voice lowered, and he opened additional space so Bobby’s group could pass without brushing against the victims. The difference di

Amanda stood before Bobby with a much softer smile than the one she had used when speaking to Peter. She had already introduced her family and Bobby had stopped walking, so some of her confidence returned after the morning’s repeated failures. “I’m Amanda Bernadus,” she said. “My mother is one of the victims of Instant Wealth, and we only want a fair resolution.” Bobby studied her for several seconds. There was nothing romantic in his attention, which felt more like a quick assessment of her appearance, manner, family name, and possible social usefulness. “Bernadus?” he asked. Amanda immediately treated the recognition as an opportunity. “Yes. Our family has extensive business connections throughout Wada City.” Bobby gave a slight nod but showed little interest. “And?” Amanda lost her rhy

Irene wrapped her arms around Amanda before her daughter could move farther from the crowd. Her crying grew louder, drawing several cameras back toward them. “I’m sorry,” she said while holding Amanda’s shoulders. “If I hadn’t joined that program, you wouldn’t have been treated like this.” The tears were real because Irene was frightened and ashamed, but her words shifted attention away from her decision and toward her family’s suffering. Amanda immediately noticed the phones around them and grabbed her mother’s arm. “Mom, stop. The louder you talk, the more people record us.” Irene apologized again, this time even louder. “I only wanted money of my own so I wouldn’t have to depend on other people all the time.” Several victims exchanged looks because the admission sounded very different fro