Revenge is Best Served… After Reborn

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 income are either begging or, for those few who are strong enough, doing some hard labor 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 of compassion. 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, are complicated. It depends on how he makes up for his past deeds, how he becomes useful to society, right?" Sophie said, "Odie has come this far on his own. Ms. Sandy, you can dislike him, criticize him, even accuse 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.

retreating figure and shook

prepared downstairs in Odie's

the door closed, Odie, who had been lying on

the

of his days in the slums surfaced in his

nearly dying in

had

the slums.

journey, he had done all

ruthless, vile,

if he didn't act that way, he wouldn't

a mongrel,

knew they were

were inferior