"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.

"That dump? Are you serious? Who'd buy it?" Hannah cackled. "Everyone knows our complex's about to be renovated. Property values are about to skyrocket!"

"Don't come crying when the garage is built and prices soar," Neville sneered. "You won't get it back. And good luck selling. I can make sure no agent touches your listing."

...

Hannah chimed in, dripping with sarcasm, "What, you think selling a house is a game?"

I ignored them, my fingers moving across my phone screen. "Funny thing. I happen to know someone interested in buying my place. And look, I've got his number right here."

Neville and Hannah stared at me like I was delusional. Hannah laughed out loud. "Go on, make your call. Let's see how long you can keep up this charade."

She didn't believe someone like me, who couldn't even afford $50,000, could know anyone of importance.

Under their skeptical gazes, I dialed the number and put the call on speaker. A calm, steady voice answered, tinged with surprise, "Sherry?"

Neville froze, his eyes wide as he stared at my phone.

"Mr. Hill, it's me," I answered evenly. "I'm looking to sell my apartment. Room 1401, Unit 1, Building #8 at Blue Bay Peninsula. You mentioned you were interested before. Are you still?"

Joshua Hill's voice lit up with a warm laugh. "Of course. I've been waiting for this call forever. Why stay in that rundown place? I've wanted to get you and Ansel out of there for ages. Well, market price plus 20%. How is that? I'll have my legal team draft the contract now and be at your place in an hour. Full payment."

The residents stood dumbfounded, exchanging stunned glances.

Everyone in Arorpoint knew him as the chairman of Hill Real Estate, a man whose influence could shake the city's property market with a single move.

And here I was, casually negotiating a sale with him. Given his tone, it was clear we were close.

Hannah's face drained of color, her body trembling. Neville gripped the table for support, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Mom, is that Joshua?" Ansel asked excitedly. "Are we really moving? That's awesome!"

I ruffled his hair, then fixed my gaze on Neville and Hannah. "Do I still need to pay that $50,000? Can I sell my apartment now?"

I paused, letting the words sink in. "Now the school upgrade and property values don't concern me anymore, do they?"

I pushed through the stunned crowd and pulled open the conference room door.

Neville's head snapped up, and he roared, "You can't sell it!"