Chapter 7

Alpha Mike was full of arrogance. “She can’t survive without me. Just wait. In less than a week, she’ll hit rock bottom and come crawling back. She’ll remember how good I was to her and contact me first.”

Gamma, the butler, sighed and shook his head. “You’re taking advantage of that child’s love for you, Alpha. But not everyone waits for someone to come back.”

Alpha Mike slumped onto the couch, exhausted. “This is the last time.”

All of this I learned later from Gamma.

But by then, like distant memories, it no longer mattered.

…

In a foreign land.

When I got off the plane, I didn’t even leave the airport. I immediately bought another ticket to a different city. After bouncing from place to place, I finally arrived in Milan, Italy.

Looking at the unfamiliar streets and the sea of yellow-skinned, people of all skin colors around me, a crushing sense of loneliness swept over me.

With no money, I found a restaurant near the airport. I washed dishes, cleaned tables, greeted customers—anything the boss needed, just to earn a barely livable wage. As for where I slept, before my first paycheck, I had to spend every night on the airport benches.

Having just gone through surgery and a miscarriage, the intense labor made me faint from exhaustion. My wounds got infected multiple times, and I ran a high fever at work.

The restaurant owner, afraid something would happen to me, gently let me go with a polite excuse.

I lost my job. Worse, I spent my remaining wages desperately searching for a new one.

When I had nowhere left to go, the airport bench I’d been sleeping on was taken over by a gang of thugs.

When I went back to get my bag, the way they looked at me—it was like they wanted to devour me. I bolted without even grabbing my things.

I crouched on the roadside and broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

When the tears dried up, I wiped my face and forced a smile.

Two years ago, before Alpha Mike picked me up, wasn’t I also just a penniless beggar?

To survive, I learned from scavengers how to dig through trash bins for food.

Maybe it was the Moon Goddess watching over me—because that day, I actually found a valuable wallet in the trash. A thief had stolen cash from a wealthy lady and tossed the wallet with her ID and cards into the bin.

I recognized the wallet’s material—rare and expensive—so I guessed it must be very important to its owner. I decided to return it to the address on the ID.

The owner was a kind Chinese woman. When I gave it back to her, she studied me cautiously.

I shrugged, calm and dignified. “I swear by the Moon Goddess; I didn’t steal it. I was starving and found it while searching for food in the trash.”

I paused and added, “I recognized the leather—it’s from Lily’s first luxury line, only a few pieces exist worldwide. I figured it must mean a lot to you, so I brought it back.”

She was stunned. “Now I believe it—you must be a child from a noble family who’s fallen on hard times.”

I smiled bitterly. “You’re mistaken. I’m just a drifter from the slums.”

I turned to leave, but she suddenly grabbed my hand. “Miss, thank you for returning the wallet. It was a love token from my husband. If you need anything, just ask.”

“Is there anything you need?”

I said, “No, thank you.”

She looked puzzled. “But you clearly look like you need help.”

I forced a smile. “What I need is money. A lot of money. And a lot of love… You can’t give me that.”

“Hmm… but I can offer you a job. Would you like to be a seamstress?”

A glimmer sparked in my eyes.

“What did you say?”

“I can recommend you to a friend. You can work at her shop.”

I grabbed her hand, overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you. I really need that job.”

I must have been a decent housewife once—I had done plenty of mending and laundry. This job was just what I needed to survive.

And it sparked a new interest in me.

The new boss was also a kind woman. She didn’t look down on me for my shabby clothes, in fact, she gave me special treatment.

She even gave me a small private room to rest and let me arrange my work hours freely. I was so grateful; I could only repay her with even harder work.

She grew more and more fond of me and eventually asked, “Anna, why did you come here? You don’t have any relatives, and the language barrier must be tough. Isn’t life hard?”

I looked up, my eyes deep and wistful, my tone tinged with sorrow. “I’m waiting for someone. For salvation. For a destined encounter.”

That’s why no matter how hard things got, I couldn’t give up. I had to endure. Had to survive.

The boss gently suggested, “Anna, you have talent. Have you ever thought about going to school? If you could get a degree in fashion design, things might get easier.”

I thought it over. Looking back on the difference between Lina and me: Lina wasn’t as pretty or healthy as me, but she was an Alpha—born with abilities others envied. That’s why everyone admired her.

Me? I had nothing. I clung to Alpha Mike like a pathetic little lapdog, just a worthless sidekick with no opinions of her own. That’s why they never respected me and trampled all over my heart.

So, I immediately asked the boss about the process of going back to school. I swore to myself: Since I’ve broken free from Alpha Mike and Lina, I’m going to fight for myself this time.

This time, I’ll stand tall on that stage, dazzling.

I didn’t dare waste a second. I picked up textbooks again, studying language and fashion design. I wanted to get into the best fashion academy in the area next year.

…

Time flew by.

One month later.

United States.

Alpha Mike hadn’t been idle. He worked tirelessly to build a career path for Lina, pushing her fashion designs until she was crowned the queen of style. He figured—if he couldn’t love her, he’d at least help her career. Maybe that would ease her pain.

Lina’s health and mood both improved rapidly under Alpha Mike’s love and attention.

On the day her company launched, Alpha Mike invited many business partners to support her. The care and tenderness he showed surpassed even what an Alpha might offer.

One of my old acquaintances, filled with jealousy, brought me up.

“Lina, this is such a big day. Why isn’t your sister Anna here to celebrate with you?”

The whole room fell silent.