In the past, Seth''s answer had always been swift and decisive. But this time, he hesitated.


    The old gentleman slowly leaned back in his chair. "It''s not toote to change your mind," he reminded him gently.


    Seth''s deep-set eyes were reflected in the bulletproof ss.


    After a long pause, he finally spoke.


    "No. She has a better future ahead of her. It shouldn''t be wasted on someone like me."


    The old man simply shook his head. "You''re as stubborn as ever."


    "This is the path I chose," Seth said. "There''s no turning back for me."


    ...


    In early August, Noreen set off for WT Business School.


    Rosalind Gilmore was fussing the entire way to the airport.


    "What if I can''t get used to the food there? Maybe I shouldn''t go after all."


    "This is non-negotiable," Noreen said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I can only focus on my work if I can keep an eye on you."


    Rosalind hadn''t expected that one deception topletely obliterate her credibility with her daughter. Now Noreen insisted on taking her along even to study abroad.


    After a few more failed attempts to protest, she gave up and resignedly followed Noreen''s lead.


    "Don''t worry about the food. I''ve already hired a chef from our hometown. You''ll adjust."


    When Noreen had decided to bring her, she had anticipated these issues and made arrangements well in advance, wanting to ensure Rosalind would befortable.


    "Alright, alright. It''s only for two years, not a big deal. I promise I won''t hold you back!" Rosalind assured her.


    As their car stopped at a red light, Noreen opened herptop to deal with some work emails. Suddenly, Rosalind, seated beside her, murmured, "Oh, that poor thing. Doesn''t she have any family to look after her?"


    "What poor thing?" Noreen asked without looking up.


    "That homeless woman over there. She was just picking through the trash for something to eat," Rosalind said, her voice filled with pity and sadness.


    Noreen nced up. By a public trash can at the intersection, a filthy woman with matted, tangled hair was bent over, rummaging inside After digging for a moment, shee pulled out a half-empty cup of bubble tea and began drinking it, a look of pure satisfaction spreading across her face.


    Noreen froze. Was... was that Bianca? She couldn''t be sure. The appearance and demeanor of this homeless woman were a world away from the morous, polished Bianca she once knew.


    Just then, several people in whiteb coats approached, shouting at her, "Don''t eat things from the trash!"


    The more they yelled, the more frantically the woman drank, choking on the liquid As the orderlies rushed


    toward her, she plunged hornakid


    back into the bin, grabbed a handful of something, and shoved it into her mouth.  s?novels


    "Oh my god... that''s dog poop!" the lead female orderly shrieked, lunging forward to restrain the woman. The others quickly joined in, subduing her.


    This time, the woman didn''t struggle. She justy on the ground, vomiting violently.


    "She''s really lost her mind! Eating dog poop."


    "Looks like it."


    "Let''s get her back to the institution."


    The light turned green, and Colby drove the car through the


    intersection: In the rearview mirror Noreen watched as the woman was forced into a van parked nearby, the words "...Psychiatric Hospital printed on its side.


    "How tragic," Rosalind sighed.


    Noreen closed her eyes and said nothing.


    Moments after the two of them settled into the airport''s VIP lounge, Wilbur tagged her in their group chat.


    "The verdict is in. The corrupt official got the death penalty! Seth... life in prison."