After getting evicted from Prime Time, Helen didn't go home. Instead, she texted Malaya and waited for her at the back door of the staff passage.

Ten years older than her, Malaya took her in when she was in a tight corner and introduced her to work in Prime Time. Now Helen lost her job and brought trouble to Malaya. She wondered if Riley would give her friend a hard time.

The wind late at night was a bit cold. Helen tightened her thin clothes, leaned against the wall, slightly raised her head, and looked at the sky that was studded with scattered, glittering stars.

Shadewharf was such a strange city. It was cold and biting the bones, but the sky was always so enticing during the day and the night.

"Riley, look." When Jake and Riley left in a car, they happened to see Helen standing there motionlessly like a statue.

The night was deep, but the light was so bright that Riley's eyes captured her every expression.

He had come to Prime Time to relax but ran into this poor girl. At the tender age of 17, how would she know the fickleness of the world? It was a shame that she had learned the bad practices of humans, such as seeking after indolence and shortcuts.

"Looks like she is waiting for someone," Jake added.

Riley coldly glanced at Jake but said nothing.

Jake sensibly shut his mouth. If it were not for Helen's young age, Riley probably wouldn't have let her go so easily. He just couldn't understand Helen's crazy behavior. She was bold to ask Riley for help. Newborn calves were not afraid of tigers?

After a long time, Helen felt that the warmth in her had run out, but Malaya had neither texted her back nor showed up. She was a little worried. Was Malaya in trouble because of her? No. According to the rules of Prime Time, they shouldn't carry mobile phones with them during working hours. So, probably Malaya hadn't read her message.

While her mind was wandering, the door opened, and out came Malaya. Seeing that Helen was still there, she grumbled, "Silly girl, why are you still here? I just read your message. It has been hours! If I didn't read it, would you wait here all night?"

Helen felt guilty when she saw the bruise around Malaya's eye. "Malaya, I'm sorry to bring you trouble. Riley… are you all right?"

Helen hesitated in her speech, but Malaya understood her implication. Though young, this girl was attentive and sensitive. Malaya felt distressed about her.

"It's not a big deal." Malaya touched the bruise on her face and said nonchalantly, "That man will not make things hard for veterans. Don't worry about it. I will recover in a couple of days."

Helen nodded her head. Worried about Helen, Malaya reminded her, "I heard that Darrell's pinky was severed. Given his vengeful personality, I'm afraid he will come after you. Be careful, and you'd better not go home. Find a shelter and lay low for a while."

With no money or friends, she was about to lose her house. Helen smiled bitterly, "Where can I go?"

Malaya felt sorry for her, asking, "Don't you have any relatives or friends elsewhere?"

Helen shook her head.

Malaya sighed, "I can't help you though I want to. Darrell is powerful around the area…"

"I get it, Malaya." Helen cut her short, "What is coming will come. I can hide for a while, but I have to come back to Shadewharf eventually."

After all, her roots were here. This was where she grew up.

"Helen..." Malaya hesitated for a while and said, "In a place like Shadewharf, one person's strength is limited. If possible, you should find yourself a patron…"

Helen was surprised to hear such a remark. Malaya was also embarrassed. It was a bit inappropriate for her to say such things to a young girl, but Helen's situation was not desirable.

"I know what you mean." Helen lowered her eyes, "But do you know anyone within my reach who can keep Darrell at bay?"

Malaya opened her mouth, but no words would come out.

There was such a person, but that would not happen. Their status was worlds apart. More importantly, no woman could get close to him, not to mention become his woman.

"Malaya, thank you. I should go." Helen stretched her stiff feet and gave a grateful smile.

"Hey, wait!"

Malaya stopped her and stuffed several hundred dollars into her pocket. Helen declined, but Malaya pressed Helen's hand on the purse and would not let her return the money.

"Helen, it's not much but a token of my regard. Take it if you still see me as a sister. When you're in trouble, you can always come to me. I will do everything within my power to help you, okay?"

Helen's hand that gripped the money suddenly tightened. It took her a lot of effort to fight back the swelling bitterness in her chest.

"Okay, I see. I should go, bye."

After parting with Malaya, Helen didn't go home. Instead, she wandered aimlessly in the street. There were only three months left before the deadline, but she hadn't even earned the odd. During the day, she worked three jobs with good hourly rates, but her salary was just a drop in the bucket. Now her only high-paying job was lost, and Riley's humiliating words still rang in her ears. Helen looked at those houses decorated with colorful lights in a deep alley, pausing and pondering.

Helen realized what she was thinking about, snapped back to her senses, cursed under her breath, and ran back home.

Helen's apartment was in an old neighborhood out of repair. Signs of dilapidation were everywhere. Even the street lamps were dim. Basically, the residents were either the elderly who had lived there all their lives or outlanders who needed cheap rentals.

Though small and damp, the apartment was her only shelter in this world. Her memories had been connected to it since she was born.

"I'm back." Helen took off her shoes and entered the house. Only a cat welcomed her home.