In the slums overseas, the reason they stay that way is because the poor seem destined to remain poor. The wealthy won''t give them jobs, so their only means of ie are either begging or, for those few who are strong enough, doing some hardbor for barely enough money to get by. Truly changing their fate is rare." Sophie spoke softly, "And for the rest, even if they beg until they bleed, how could they possibly afford the crazy medical bills? It''s tough enough just to survive. They wouldn''t steal unless they were absolutely desperate." Sandy, unable to counter Sophie''s argument, changed her approach. "But like you said, that''s just a ''what if''!"


    "Yes, a ''what if," Sophie nodded. "Maybe the person who stole your purse that day, Ms. Sandy, was a desperate criminal, someone who''s hit rock bottom. But that doesn''t mean everyone in the slums isn''t worthy ofpassion. Ms. Sandy, you don''t know Odie, you don''t know his past, yet you''re quick to judge him. Is it just because of his bad reputation? Or is it because he used to work for the White family as a servant and then managed to rise above his station?"


    "Who cares about his past? I''m not interested!"


    "Odie was once a child from the slums, Ms. Sandy, a child."


    Sophie continued, "I believe Odie''s tough exterior, his fierceness, and cruelty are just a way to protect himself, to keep others from hurting him, to hide his scared, weak side. If I put it that way, can you understand why Odie acts the way he does, Ms. Sandy?" Sandy turned her head away, still upset.


    "Of course, I''m not saying Odie is a saint. He''s done plenty of bad things. Many things, grudges, right and wrong, areplicated. It depends on how he makes up for his past deeds, how he bes useful to society, right?" Sophie said, "Odie hase this far on his own. Ms. Sandy, you can dislike him, criticize him, even use him, but you must never insult him."


    Listening to Sophie''s gentle words, Sandy''s face turned red. She said, "I can''t argue with you! I don''t care about him!"


    With that, Sandy ran towards her room.


    Sophie watched Sandy''s retreating figure and shook her head helplessly.


    Sophie then ced the dinner she had prepared downstairs in Odie''s room before leaving and closing the door behind her.


    The moment the door closed, Odie, who had been lying on the bed, slowly opened his eyes.


    He looked towards the now shut door.


    Memories of his days in the slums surfaced in his mind-he had


    debeaten up, nearly dying in deceived people, stolen money


    had


    the slums.


    Throughout his journey, he had done all sorts of dirty work.


    When people called him ruthless, vile, and disgusting, he wasn''t angry.


    Because he knew if he didn''t act that way, he wouldn''t survive.


    When people cursed him as a mongrel, a lowlife, he wasn''t angry.


    Because he knew they were powerless, cursing him only


    because they were inferior and


    needed someone to vent their frustration on.


    When people used him of being evil, of killing countless people, he also wasn''t angry.


    Because he knew it was the truth, and he had nothing to be angry about.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    But when Sandy, with her sense of superiority, treated him like a servant and spoke ill of him, he truly got angry. He never thought that Sophie would defend him.


    This was the first time, the first time someone protected his dignity and the first time someone pierced through his facade, saying... he still had a chance to be a good person.