The morning began with birdsong, the kind Bianca had grown to love—the warble of maya birds, the gentle coo of doves. She rose earlier than usual, eager to check the orchard after the exhausting chaos of the day before. Maybe, just maybe, things would be calmer today.
But when she opened the front door of the mansion, the calm shattered.
Camera flashes exploded.
"Señorita Bianca! Look this way, please!"
"Smile for GMA News, Miss Rodriguez!"
"ABS-CBN would like a statement—are your fruits really curing illnesses?"
A crowd of journalists had gathered at the gates—reporters in vests, cameramen lugging heavy equipment, microphones waving in the air like weapons. Beyond them, vans marked with TV station logos were parked on the roadside.
Bianca froze, gripping the doorknob like it was an anchor. "What in the world…"
Lara bolted out behind her, hair still messy from sleep. "Wait, wait—are those… media?"
The answer came fast. A reporter from a Manila station pushed forward, microphone nearly colliding with Bianca's chin. "Miss Rodriguez, thousands online are calling your harvests 'miracle fruits.' Can you confirm if they cure disease?"
Another voice chimed in. "Are you a healer? Or is this just a scam targeting the desperate?"
Questions bombarded her from every angle. Bianca's pulse quickened. She wanted to retreat inside, but more cameras were already angled at the mansion's balcony, recording every movement.
"Stop crowding her!" Ramon barked, storming from the gate. His broad frame shielded Bianca as he shoved back reporters. "You can't just barge into private property!"
"Sir, the people deserve to know the truth," one journalist snapped.
Bianca's mind spun. Just yesterday, they'd barely managed villagers and buyers. Now the whole country seemed to be at her doorstep.
---
By mid-morning, it wasn't only journalists. Curious townsfolk lined the fence, pointing and whispering. Some waved, others shouted, "Bianca! My son needs the fruit!" or "Pabili, hija, kahit isa lang!"
Lydia tried to calm them with polite refusals, but the desperation in their voices cut deep. Mothers clutched babies, elderly leaned on canes, all hoping for a miracle basket.
Inside the mansion, Lara paced furiously, phone buzzing nonstop with notifications. "Bian, we're trending on Twitter. Hashtags: #MiracleFruit, #HaciendaHealing, #BiancaRodriguez. News channels picked up Enzo's vlog. Even TikTok edits are going viral!"
Bianca buried her face in her hands. "This is too much. Too fast."
"Too good," Lara countered, though her voice lacked its usual sparkle. "But we need strategy. If we don't handle this, someone else will—and they won't care about your family's legacy."
---
That evening, the national newscast confirmed it.
On TV, seated beside her grandmother, Enzo spoke to a prim anchor. His voice trembled as he described her improvement. The camera panned to Lola Ramirez smiling, her skin glowing with newfound strength.
The anchor leaned forward. "And you're certain this came after eating fruits from Hacienda Rodriguez?"
Enzo nodded. "Yes. I don't know how… but yes."
The anchor turned serious. "Ladies and gentlemen, this may be the biggest story of the year. Tomorrow, our team will visit Hacienda Rodriguez to investigate."
Bianca felt her knees weaken.
Tomorrow?
Her sanctuary was no longer hidden. It was about to be exposed—completely.
---
End of Chapter 29