The crowd's voices were sharp with judgment.

"She's always like this. Last time, when we wanted elevators, she was the only one against it, whining about load-bearing issues."

"Her family's got one car, so she doesn't care. We've got three, and we're scrambling for parking every day. Does she even get how hard that is?"

"Selfish! How is someone like her fit to be our neighbor?"

Amid the rising clamor, I stood slowly. Every eye in the room locked onto me, expecting my usual protests. Neville's brow furrowed, his patience visibly thinning.

But instead of arguing, I broke into a wide smile and clapped. The sharp sound cut through the room, stunning everyone.

Raising my voice, I spoke with a fervor I'd never shown before. "Neville is absolutely right! I'm all in. Let's dig sooner rather than later. Everyone is getting rich!"

...

The room went still, the air thick with disbelief.

Ansel looked up at me, puzzled. "Mom, didn't you say there'd be a flood?"

I patted his back gently, signaling him to stay quiet. Neville's irritation morphed into astonishment.

"Do you really think so?" he asked warily.

"Absolutely!" I replied, raising an eyebrow. "I was too narrow-minded before, always focused on risks and not the rewards. With a manager like you looking out for us, what's there to worry about?"

My words won nods of approval from the crowd.

"See? She gets it now."

"Nobody turns down a chance to make money."

The doubt in Neville's eyes faded, replaced by a smug grin. He cleared his throat and pulled out a stack of documents.

"Looks like we're all on the same page. To keep things fair and ensure smooth construction, please sign this Voluntary Fundraising Agreement for the Underground Garage," he declared. "Once signed, head to the finance office to pay the $50,000 contribution fee. The sooner we collect the funds, the sooner we start."

The residents surged forward, eager to comply.

"I'm first. I'll sign!"

"Don't shove! I've got my money ready!"

Hannah shot me a glance before elbowing her way to the front to sign and pay. I held the agreement, my fingers cold against the paper.

In my previous life, my resistance had stopped things before they reached this point. But now, Neville had come prepared with a contract to dodge accountability.

"Sherry, you done reading?" Neville urged, noticing my hesitation. "If there's no issue, sign it. Don't waste our time,"

I set the agreement back on the table, leaving the pen untouched. "My family won't be contributing."

His smile froze. "What?"

The residents in line turned, their eyes boring into me. Hannah pointed at me, her voice sharp. "What's that supposed to mean? You just said you supported it. Are you playing us?"

I put on a troubled expression. "Don't get me wrong. I fully support Neville and all of you, in spirit."

I sighed and pulled Ansel closer. "But my son is not well. He has asthma and is allergic to dust. If construction starts, with dust everywhere, I'm afraid he'll get sick. The doctor warned that a severe attack could be life-threatening."

"I've been thinking," I continued, "for his health, we'll move out during the construction period. Since we won't be living here, a parking space isn't of much use to us. We'll pass on the $50,000 fee. Once the garage is built, we'll move back. It won't affect anyone, and we're just trying to avoid causing trouble."

Ansel coughed softly, playing along. "Mom, I don't want to breathe all that dust."

My words left Neville and the residents speechless. Murmurs then spread through the room.

"Asthma is no joke, especially for kids."

"She's moving out for her son. Can't really fault them."

"Now that she mentions it, construction could be rough on kids and the elderly."

Some wavering residents grew hesitant, but Hannah's face twisted with frustration. "Asthma? That's just an excuse to dodge paying! Is your kid the only delicate one? Can't he tough it out? Stop undermining everyone!"

Her outburst had little effect. An older woman spoke up hesitantly. "Mr. Grady, my grandson has weak lungs, too. Maybe we shouldn't join either?"

"Exactly," another chimed in. "$50,000 isn't pocket change. If our kids get sick, medical bills could cost more."

The room teetered on the edge of disorder. Neville's face darkened, his composure cracking.

In the end, he slammed a folder down onto the table. "Everyone must participate!"

...

"We're a community!" he barked, glaring at me. "We're a community. The neighborhood's prosperity benefits us all. If you back out now, what will those who've paid think? You're fracturing our unity and demanding special treatment."

He took a deep breath, leaning into moral coercion. "There's no negotiation. You will sign the agreement and pay. Think of the greater good."

The residents exchanged uneasy glances, but many began to sway again.

"Neville's right. You can't just opt out of a group effort."

"That's selfish! You'd ruin our community for over $50,000?"

"Oh, and I forgot to mention some good news," Neville said, raising his chin. "Our renovation project has caught the authorities' attention. They say it'll be a model for revitalizing old neighborhoods. Once it's done, we'll be named a city-level exemplary community. And that's not all. The elementary school our kids attend will be upgraded to a key experimental school."

The residents were shocked by the news.

"What? The school is getting upgraded?"

"That's huge!"

"No wonder Neville is so set on this. It's for our kids' future."

Parents who had been on the fence now sparkled with excitement, pushing forward to sign.

"We're signing!"

"This is for our kids. We'll back you, no matter what!"

Neville grinned, managing the crowd. "Line up, one at a time. No rush."

Hannah glowed with zeal. "Sherry, still not joining? You're about to ruin your son's future. I tried everything to get my son into an experimental school. Now the chance is right here, and you're throwing it away?"

Ansel and I were jostled by the crowd, barely keeping our footing.

In my previous life, Neville hadn't used the school upgrade as bait. It was a lie, spun to force my hand.

The clock was ticking. Less than a month remained until the catastrophe.

Watching the crowd, so easily deceived, I felt a cold irony, but I knew I couldn't stay any longer. While they swarmed around Neville, I grabbed Ansel's hand and edged toward the back door. "Come on, stay close."

Hannah's voice sliced through the noise. "Hey! Sherry is sneaking off!"

Every head turned, and Neville's face darkened with fury. "Sherry, don't push your luck!"

Anger surged through me. I stopped and stepped in front of Ansel, shielding him.

"Watch your tone, Neville," I shot back. "I made it clear: for my son's health, we're opting out. The agreement says voluntary. Is that just for show?"

"Who are you to opt out?" he screeched. "This is about the community's interests. The school upgrade benefits every child. Your son is average at best, and now there's a golden opportunity. Instead of taking it, you're dragging us down. What's your agenda? Stirring up trouble?"

Hannah jabbed a finger at me. "Sign the agreement, pay up, and stop embarrassing yourself!"

The crowd's voices rose, a chorus of accusations.

"So selfish! I've never seen anything like it!"

"For $50,000, you'd throw away your kid's future?"

Ansel, frightened by the uproar, started to cry. I tried to push through the crowd, but they closed in, trapping us.

"Move! Let us through!" I demanded, shoving back.

In the chaos, Hannah's foot lashed out, striking my calf. Pain seared through me, and I collapsed to the floor.

"Mom, are you okay?" Ansel cried out, rushing to help me.

I gritted my teeth and looked up. Neville and the others stared down, their faces icy. It was the same expressions they wore in my past life when they drove me to my end.

"Stop acting! A fall won't kill you!" Hannah sneered.

Neville's gaze was icy. "That's what selfish people get! I'll make this clear: you'll pay, whether you like it or not. If you refuse and jeopardize our kids' education, I'm not done with you. Neither you nor your son is leaving today!"

Ansel sobbed in my arms. "Mom, why don't we just..."

"No, Ansel," I said, wiping his tears. "We won't give in. We've done nothing wrong."

I raised my bleeding elbow, my eyes sweeping the room. "This is your idea of community spirit? Hurting people for the sake of your collective?"

I gave a bitter laugh. "If this is your community, we want no part of it."

Neville hadn't expected me to stand my ground. His face flushed with rage. "What kind of attitude is this?"

I stood up, my voice steady and deliberate. "I'll say it one more time: we won't sign or pay. I'm selling my apartment, effective immediately."

The room fell silent, broken by Hannah's mocking laughter.