Chapter 1

In Centralis' most luxurious castle, Jayden Porter appeared down the corridor wearing a suit and tie. He was holding the arm of Lina Doux, who stood next to him in a haute couture dress.

Their good looks drew the attention of many people, and those who knew them gathered around enthusiastically.

"Congratulations on becoming the Beta of Centralis, Jayden."

"In just six years, you've been promoted from an ordinary werewolf to a Beta. How amazing!"

"I heard that the Alpha King will also be attending your inauguration ceremony today."

Jayden smiled and exchanged pleasantries with everyone, his eyes shining with unconcealed pride. He said, "Thank you for all your well-wishes, everyone."

I was momentarily stunned, pausing in my search through a trash can in a corner. I didn't expect Jayden to become the new Beta, but the fact that he could succeed in the position proved that he was capable.

In the future, he would be assisting the Alpha King in handling the Centralis' government affairs as the highest-ranking official below the king. Naturally, everyone would want to curry favor with him.

Someone looked curiously at Lina. "You're Beta Jayden's mate, right?"

Lina smiled and nodded slightly.

"You're so beautiful. You and Beta Jayden are a match made in heaven," someone else said flatteringly.

A second later, Jayden quickly clarified their current relationship. "She's not my mate yet, just my fiancee."

Lina stiffened slightly before forcing a smile onto her face and going along with his words. "That's right, but we'll be marking each other soon. Everyone will be invited to witness our bonding ceremony when the time comes."

I was surprised to find out they weren't bonded yet. After Jayden and I broke up six years ago, he promptly proposed to Lina. Considering how much he loved her, they should've bonded ages ago.

I didn't understand why they were dragging things out.

Suddenly, a waitress walked toward me with a nasty expression on her face.

"Hey!" the waitress yelled loudly. "This is a luxurious castle, you dirtbag, not some place any beggar can walk into. Hurry up and leave! You're dirtying our castle!"

There was obvious disgust in her eyes.

I had just returned from the playground with my daughter, Cassidy Holstrom. I was covered in mud stains from there, so I had dirtied the floor around me.

Cassidy had even torn my clothes in some places while I was playing with her, and my hair was a mess with grass stuck in it. All in all, my current appearance was very similar to that of a beggar.

"Sorry. I was looking for something in the trash can. I'll leave once I find it, and I'll also clean up after myself," I explained apologetically.

The waitress refused to listen and scolded angrily, "Enough nonsense! Get out, or I'm calling security!"

She spoke very loudly, which drew the attention of the surrounding people. Jayden, upon hearing the commotion, also looked over at me.

"Emily," he exclaimed in shock.

I glanced at him before looking away calmly.

"Do you know her, Mr. Porter?" the waitress asked, looking at him in surprise.

Jayden regained his calm and replied in a cold, indifferent tone, "She's an Omega who begged for scraps from my family before, so I've seen her a few times."

He quickly looked away as if looking at me any longer than he already had would hurt his eyes. He had even identified me as a beggar.

I could see where he was coming from. When we broke up, he criticized me for asking him for money to buy a house.

Upon seeing Jayden's reaction, the waitress reached out to shove me. "You're able-bodied, yet instead of finding a proper job, you snuck into the castle to beg! Get lost!"

I almost lost my balance and snapped angrily, "I told you I was looking for something. I'll leave once I find it, and I'll compensate you for any losses incurred."

The waitress sneered derisively. "You'll compensate us, you say? Do you have the money for it?

"Just the floor tile you soiled is worth $100,000. Can you even afford to pay the compensation costs?"