Instead, Ruth asked if she could attend as an ordinary community member.

She sat in the second row beside Denise and took careful notes.

A speaker explained how prospective donors could check registration details, ask for project records, and verify whether the people pictured in an appeal had actually agreed to participate.

Afterward, Mom spoke with Ellen Reyes.

I had introduced them by phone months earlier, but this was the first time they met in person.

“I’m sorry for what he did with Daniel’s story,” Ruth said.