Time flew by.Persephone seemed to have it all—a world that appeared perfect to everyone around her. However, beneath the surface, her life was far from smooth sailing.Persephone was independent-minded from a young age. Her parents would be frequently summoned to the school due to her behavior since primary school.Despite their high social status, Zuko and Lina had to comply with the teachers' instructions. Persephone had received her share of lessons after returning home.Quick to learn, she cleverly avoided involving her parents when teachers wanted to meet them. Her support system extended beyond her biological parents to include Toph, Arya, Chris, and Lena. Occasionally, Cordelia, Zephyr, Linda, and Nicholas would join the mix.Persephone had even managed to enlist the presence of Daniel from Cumulus City with just a phone call.As a teenager, Persephone's thoughts took a more peculiar turn. Bursting with curiosity and a rebellious spirit, she defied her parents, especially
Theodore dashed over to her mysteriously and dropped off a test paper. He would take the written and interview tests for prestigious schools overseas in another week."Sis, guide me through this practice test, and I'll tell you a secret…" Theodore inherited Zuko's distinctive features but was a spitting image of his mischievous Uncle Toph. "One test for one secret. Fair deal, right?"Persephone shrugged, uninterested."Hey, I'm serious!""Could you let me concentrate for a while?""Seriously, sis, don't you believe me?"Wherever Persephone turned her head, Theodore followed.After several rounds, Theodore couldn't hold back. "Fine, I'll tell you first…"A hint of triumph curved Persephone's lips. She had her little brother under her thumb since childhood."You have to help me with the test after I tell you!""Hmm…" Persephone twirled the pen in her hand. "Depends on how valuable your secret is!"Theodore pursed his lips and whispered in her ear, "There's news about Greta!"
Persephone widened her eyes. It was her ex-boyfriend, the mistake of her four years in university—the youth she misspent, the jerk she misjudged!She had inherited most of the excellent genes from the Hamertons, especially loyalty. Since entering university, she had fallen for this poised and handsome senior. She had poured her heart and soul into their four years together. Yet, on her graduation day, he confessed that he had fallen for someone else..."Sephy, I'm sorry. She's the daughter of the chairman of the company where I interned. Being with her could spare me 20 years of struggle... Please understand, I want a better life!"At that moment, Persephone almost crushed the cup of bubble tea in her hand!Her parents had always taught her to keep a low profile, not just due to their humble and cautious nature but to avoid unnecessary trouble. As such, after attending the international kindergarten, she had private teachers at home starting from elementary school.Even in univers
Zephyr and Nicholas walked out together, resuming their bickering, each trying to prove who had been tougher earlier.Persephone chuckled and walked up to them, hooking an arm around each."We let off some steam on your behalf just now." Zephyr ruffled her hair. "Feeling a bit better now?""Sephy, your Grandpa Nicholas' still got the moves!" Nicholas laughed. "But your taste, oh dear. You spent four years in university with that fella... Such a wimp, can't take a beating!""Nicholas!" Zephyr pursed his lips. "If you can't speak nicely, then keep quiet. Sephy's feeling upset."Nicholas glared at him. "What's there to be upset about? Didn't we just thrash that kid?""You called him a wimp, implying Sephy can't choose right!""She never could. Why can't I say it?""You…""Grandpa Zephyr, Grandpa Nicholas!" Persephone was amused and exasperated by the two old men. "Could you two stop arguing? I've let go of Samuel already. Honestly, this fight was unnecessary for me."Zephyr and
No one, not even Persephone's parents or the persuasion of Zephyr and Nicholas, could deter her from making her decision.-A few days later, Persephone arrived in Flinge, the central city of the five provinces by the border. It was far from Centrolis, a world she had never seen before. Here, it was different from elsewhere, with its prosperity and darkness, a place of extravagance and infamy.This area was a mix of everything, housing many fugitives, drug dealers, and wanted criminals. It was a haven for crime, as the rumors suggested."I heard Greta was sold to human traffickers by her own father!" Persephone remembered Theodore's words. "There are many human traffickers in Flinge. They torture kidnapped girls in various ways... The place is terrifying. Are you really going there?"Persephone looked up at the neon signs overhead and took a deep breath.In truth, human traffickers posed no threat to her. Even if there was no influence from the Hamertons there, they wouldn't allo
"Morpheus, oh, Morpheus! Haha..." Amidst the chaos, a man's voice cut through with unusual clarity.Morpheus glanced at the approaching figure. He was seated while Fat Jim stood, though he wasn't much taller."Morpheus, you've hit the jackpot!" Fat Jim's laughter crinkled his eyes and nose together. "The spectators are clamoring for you to have another match! Hehe! You're the pillar of our boxing ring now! How about it?"He patted Morpheus' shoulder, pinched it hard, and then moved behind to pat his back, but Morpheus grabbed him by the arm."Hehe... Don't be so forceful!" Fat Jim almost lost balance. "Relax a bit. Get ready and keep up the good work! You can still win the next match!""No more," Morpheus muttered. "You know my rule: one match a day.""Don't be so rigid! How is one match a day enough? Among all the fighters, your popularity is the highest!""Even if it's higher, it's still one match." Morpheus raised an eyebrow, his cold gaze akin to a predator prowling in the d
"Oh, Morpheus, still so dedicated!"The sharp voice of the woman made Morpheus furrow his brows involuntarily."I've brought something good for you today!"Before the words could land, Morpheus had already noticed the girl they had brought along.For some reason, his heart trembled slightly at the sight of her. This street was both the most bustling and the dirtiest in Flinge. He had never seen a girl daring enough to wear a long white dress on this street.Wasn't she afraid of getting dirty?As it turned out, just like Fat Jim had said, she was an outsider, unaware of the dangers lurking in these murky waters.Kourtney Moon took a few steps forward, her eyes glued to Morpheus' well-built muscles. She smiled cryptically, her hips sashaying like a serpent.Clad in a striking dress that was fitted to her figure and paired with her bold makeup and fragrance, she exuded a compelling aura.Her gaze roamed over Morpheus' form. As the most famous madam in this area, she always though
Fat Jim and Kourtney were chatting and laughing as they walked out. When the door opened, a tall, sturdy figure blocked their path. Before they could react, Morpheus kicked the men who were holding the girl, sending them flying with force.Then, he scooped the girl up with a swift motion, carrying her over his shoulder, and strode out through the doorway."I'm taking her with me," he stated firmly with his back to the others, enunciating each word. "From now on, she's mine."-All along the way, Persephone had her eyes covered, remaining so silent that it gave the impression that she might be mute.The progress of events took her somewhat by surprise. However... lying across Morpheus' shoulder felt surprisingly comfortable.He ran fast and steady, easily supporting her with just one arm. She guessed he must be a big guy. An inappropriate analogy flashed in her mind—he was a bit like the horse she had raised in her family's stable since she was young.Thinking about it made Perse