After an hour-long discussion session with Chancellor Bostic, Olivia agreed to talk to her mom. Kalvin kept quiet all the time standing near the door, leaning against the wall. Melvin was sitting next to Olivia. Olivia looked back at Kalvin a few times when Bell mentioned Kalvin's brave actions and impressive personality. Olivia doubted some of the things Bell said. As an example, she couldn't believe it when Bell said 'Kalvin is a talented boy with a soft kind heart who is willing to help others'. Wasn't he the guy who tried to strangle her a few minutes ago? Wasn't he the one who killed a soldier? She was pretty sure those things had nothing to do with 'his big heart'. In those moments Olivia looked back at Kalvin and Kalvin looked away willingly skipping eye contact, feeling uncomfortable. He was writing a letter of complaining to Bell in his head all the time when Olivia looked back at him. He thought some things Bell said about him were exaggerating. Even a kid can recognize it. But he calmly tolerated all hilarious smirks from Olivia, burning looks from Maxwell and warning signs from Melvin. What else is left to do anyway? Finally the 'serious discussion' came to an end. Now it's the decision time. Literally his fate was on his worst enemy's hand right now. What a feeling it has to be. For a moment Olivia wanted to disagree but her internal deep desire to forgive her mom interrupted. She eventually looked at Bell.

"I agree to talk to her and I'll make sure she helps to fix this, but on one condition," she said firmly to Bell, who met her gaze with a quizzical look. He could see Elsa's stubbornness reflected in Olivia's face, and that was not a good sign.

"Come on, no games, Olivia. What do you want?" Bell asked cautiously. Olivia's response was unwavering.

"In return, you will vote 'yes' to lower medical restrictions by 25% for children," Olivia said. Bell looked at her in shock. What a bargaining! Maxwell and Kalvin gazed at Bell, uncertain of their thoughts. They were well aware of Madam Elsa's persistent efforts to persuade him to vote for her side. His 'no' in the last two votes had led to her defeat. A third and final vote was imminent. Bell's 'no' was one big reason for the feud between them.

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"I cannot agree. Lowering medical restrictions would squander our limited medical resources. Moreover, with the population on the rise, Olivia, we should not impede measures that help control population growth."Bell stated.

"Are you suggesting that we leave children to die?" Olivia cried out in distress. Bell maintained a calm and understanding gaze as he responded,

"I understand your concern, but during difficult times, we often face tough decisions. With 30% of our population being children under 18, and an annual death rate of 10% among them, we are looking at roughly 3% of our current population. By easing medical restrictions, we can potentially cause a rise in our population " Olivia, her voice firm yet filled with concern, countered,

"Lowering medical restrictions won't save every child. We are proposing a 25% reduction to address this issue."Bell shook his head in disagreement. Olivia bit her lower lip just like Elsa does when she is angry.

"Then we don't have a deal. Your son will die. That's it," she said, standing up and leaving Melvin in shock.

"Olivia, please!" Melvin cried out as Olivia started to walk toward the door. Kalvin blocked her way by standing in front of the door. Olivia looked at him directly with a challenging look on her face.

"Get out of my way," she said directly. Kalvin stared at her with concern and anger in his eyes at first. After a moment, he opened his mouth." Please," he barely whispered. Bell looked at Kalvin with a pained expression. Kalvin's words melted his heart. He couldn't bear to see Kalvin in such a desperate situation, begging for mercy from his enemy. He couldn't let his kid suffer so much pain, guilt, and stress like this.

" Bell please" Maxwell begged. He knew Kalvin was never the type to go begging for help unless it was from Maxwell, Bell or Melvin.

"OK, I'll do it. I can't lose him," Bell said with a defeated look and a frustrated voice, exactly as Olivia had expected. Olivia turned around with a satisfying smile.

"OK, the vote is in tomorrow morning. I'll talk to Mom after that," Olivia said, but Melvin disagreed.

"No, you won't leave this room until then," she said, staring at Olivia directly. Olivia looked at Bell with a questioning expression.

"She's right. It's too risky to let you go. So I suggest this, the vote for Turner kids' pardon will be called right after the vote for lowering medical restrictions, and you'll talk to your mom now," Bell said. Olivia wasn't ready to face her mom yet, but what else was left to do?

"OK," she said after a moment with a weary voice.