It wasn’t that Zachary was refusing to act—he just knew there was <i>no </i>need. If they caused a scene now, it would only put them at a disadvantage.


    He understood what Alessia was thinking. Gently, he ruffled her hair, silently reassuring her.


    As the two whispered to each other, the couple across from them exchanged a nce, calction flickering in their eyes. The man clutched his head, groaning dramatically as if he were in terrible pain. The woman cradled his head in herp, then suddenly began to wail.


    Her performance was worthy of a grieving widow.


    “What’s wrong with you people? First you refuse to pay, then <i>you </i>attack us! Where’s your conscience? You’d betterpensate us–look what you’ve done to my husband! He’s hurt, I know it!”


    “Quiet!” Alessia’s temples throbbed. She brushed Zachary’s hand away and strode toward the woman, step by step.


    The woman shrank back, a flicker of panic in her eyes.


    “Wh–what are you doing? There are plenty of people here, you—you…”


    Alessia crouched down in front of her, meeting her gaze. The woman averted her


    eyes, inching away.


    “Didn’t you want a medical exam? Fine. But if it turns out he’s perfectly fine, you’d better be ready to face the consequences.”


    The woman’s heart skipped a beat, but the man gave a subtle tug at her sleeve–a signal Alessia did not miss.


    Sure enough, the woman’s expression shifted. She nced at the onlookers, opened her mouth, and summoned tears onmand.


    “You’re threatening me? Threatening someone as pitiful as me? Look at this, everyone! This youngdy’s threatening me, a poor woman just trying to get by! She’s got her fancy clothes and good food, while we can barely survive–and now she wants to bully us too!”


    “Oh, that’s heartbreaking”


    “Yeah, just look at her–dressed so nice. And then look at them… Young people these days really have nopassion.”


    09.40


    “Well, they’re just trying to extort money, that’s all.”


    “How do you know? Didn’t you hear them say the old man’s ribs were broken? Who knows if he’ll even pull through!”


    “If you ask me, that couple aren’t saints either. The young man was just trying to help, and now this? Who would dare lend a hand after this?”


    “Still, if he really broke his ribs, shouldn’t they pay something? It’s pocket change to them–just look at how they’re dressed. If that couple wasn’t desperate, would they be making such a fuss?”


    Everyone chimed in, their voices ovepping in a chaotic chorus of opinions.


    The photographers held their breath, snapping pictures one after another, the shes popping like it was a red carpet event.


    Frowning, Zachary pulled Alessia behind him, shielding her.


    “You’re going too far!” he snapped. Alessia simply patted his hand, signaling him not to worry.


    Zachary looked puzzled, but Alessia raised her hand, and the crowd fell silent, all eyes on her, waiting to see if she’dsh out or burst into tears in protest.


    Every camera turned toward her, eager for her reaction.


    “Auntie, how exactly did I threaten you?”


    Her voice was polite, almost gentle, and her innocent expression left the woman momentarily speechless.


    “You… you<i>…</i><i>” </i>the woman stammered, at a loss for words.


    “Is asking your husband to get checked out really a threat?”


    Alessia’s eyes turned red, and anyone watching would have been convinced that the faulty with the couple opposite her.


    <i>212 </i>