Jamie frowned. Aren’t you getting it backwards? Haven’t you been the ones pushing us into a corner all this time?The woman stiffened and retorted sharply, That’s because we have no choice but to protect ourselves.Perhaps she had been holding her son too tightly, because the boy squirmed and mumbled, Mom, you’re hurting me.The woman quickly loosened her grip, her face flushed with guilt. I’m sorry, Hugo.The boy rubbed her arm gently and replied in his soft, sweet voice, It’s okay, Mommy. I forgive you.Her son’s reassurance seemed to calm her nerves.Seizing the moment, Jamie said, I think there’s a misunderstanding between us.What misunderstanding? Are you going to deny that Mrs. Lopez ended up in the hospital because of you? You people, with your wealth and power, could crush us with no effort, the woman sneered. So it came down to this, just as Jamie had anticipated.Fortunately, she was prepared. Before leaving the hospital, she had obtained Mrs. Lopez’s medical report.Mrs. Zeller, I’d like you to take a look at this before you jump to conclusions, Jamie said, placing the report on the table and sliding it toward her.Fiona Zeller’s gaze flickered to the papers but she didn’t move.At that moment, Jamie glanced at Hugo in Fiona’s arms. The boy’s eyes were glued to the fruit and milk Fiona had set aside.Would you like some? Jamie asked gently.No, I don’t want it. It’s for my mom to give to someone else, Hugo said quickly, shaking his head. But his gaze remained fixed on the treats. Children from poor families often learned to be selfless early. Jamie sighed softly, catching the guilty look on Fiona’s face. Go ahead and eat it. Don’t worry, there’s more where that came from. Really? Hugo’s eyes lit up as he turned to his mother for confirmation.Fiona hesitated. Her lips moved as if to say no, but seeing her son’s hopeful expression, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.In the old district, most families livedfrugally. Even gifts had to be rationed and saved for special occasions, sometimes redistributed at the end of the year. Spending on unnecessary items was unthinkable. Adults could endure this lifestyle, but for Fiona, watching her child go without always came with a pang of guilt. Hugo, now reassured, happily began unwrapping the milk carton. His innocent joy brought a faint smile to Jamie’s lips. See how happy he is? she said, her voice soft.Fiona didn’t respond, her emotions a mixture of gratitude and self-reproach.You know, accepting the compensation wouldn’t be so bad, Jamie continued. Even if it’s not enough to buy a new home outright, the new apartments being built will prioritize you for half-priced ownership. That’s just empty talk. Nothing but lies, Fiona argued, her voice tinged with desperation.Jamie’s tone shifted, a sharp edgecutting through her usual calm. How do you know it’s a lie if you’ve never tried? And if you read the medical report, you’ll see Mrs.Lopez’s condition was due to years of neglect, not anything we did.Fiona, who was more educated than her husband, glanced reluctantly at the report. She couldn’t refute it.Jamie softened her tone again. Instead of doubting us, maybe you should think about who’s been stirring the pot. Who stands to gain from keeping you all in conflict?After a while, Jamie excused herself and left.As she waved goodbye, Hugo looked up at her with big, hopeful eyes. Will you come back?Jamie smiled and crouched to his level. I will. Next time, I’ll bring you something yummy. Pinky promise.On her way back, she considered stopping by the store to pick up a few ingredients. Wilfred had given her some dietary tips for improving digestion.But just as she was about to hail a cab, a glimpse of someone in a nearby alley caught her attention.It was an elderly woman, unkempt and rummaging through trash.Jamie would have passed her by like any other stranger, but something about the woman’s silhouette made her stop in her tracks.Her heart pounded. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Mom?