Patrick gazed at her. “Are you afraid of me?”
Emma denied, “I’m not afraid of you. I just can’t get close to you, to understand you. I thought you were like those in absolute high positions, not a villain, but absolutely lacking in empathy for ordinary people.”
She continued, “I came to Silver Moon Pack, saw the grand buildings, people being managed from top to bottom, then saw the boundless plains, where even houses far away bore the same style as here. Then I realized, you are nobility, true nobility, unlike Edward, this place entirely belongs to you.”
Patrick explained, “Strictly speaking, this place belongs to my grandfather. He contributed the most to the establishment of Silver Moon Pack. He earned merit in battle, every scar on him was for the future of Silver Moon Pack. Stories and deeds about him are widespread here, even the murals in the corridors praise his past bravery. Later, he died from an illness left by the war. In his memory, everyone elected his eldest son, my father, to become the alpha here. It’s an honor.”
Emma nodded, “Certainly, it’s an honor. Your grandfather laid a solid foundation for his descendants with his strength and bravery. You should feel proud.”
“But that has nothing to do with me.”
Emma refused to acknowledge his self-denial, “You are only twenty. You have a lot you can accomplish. Why rush? I do not resist family honor. Being born into a good family is fortunate and a manifestation of ability. Talent is also a divine choice. We shouldn’t be ashamed of being born into a good family.”
Patrick looked at her in amazement. “You think that way?”
“I resist the fact that despite having such a good status, it’s not being used for the betterment of society. If Edward were born into a better family, perhaps he wouldn’t have been constantly suppressed by the traditionalists in the Blue Halo Pack, but would have been able to do more beneficial things for the pack.”
Patrick asked her, “What kind of person do you think I am?”
Emma earnestly replied, “In my view, you are someone who is dedicated to serving the Silver Moon Pack. You come from a good background, yet you do not use it to oppress others. Even though you hold a noble position, you can also empathize with the suffering of others. You will be a great alpha; you just need time to prove it.”
Patrick had heard many people praise his abilities, often marveling at his promising future. They would unconsciously add, “You truly are your grandfather’s descendant, your father’s son, you will surely be as outstanding as they are.” It was as if Patrick himself was just a shadow wrapped in a halo, and anyone could be Patrick, as long as they were a grandchild of his grandfather or a child of his father. No one could see what he had actually done, the gleaming points that were uniquely his.
“Do you see any other excellent, praiseworthy traits in me?” he asked. Emma offered a fresh perspective on how she saw him, and he liked the version of himself reflected in her eyes.
Emma thought for a moment. “Considerate and mature beyond your years. You consider others’ feelings and make concessions that may not align with your own desires, and you are very attentive. Even if unwilling, you still take on responsibilities for the greater good.”
These were indeed praises that Patrick had not heard before. Everyone thought he should be proud of his background and abilities, but he, plagued by self-doubt, was the one who couldn’t match his status, the proud and aloof alpha Patrick during the day, and at night, just a lonely insomniac, embracing his own insecurities.
“Just now, I thought you were thinking of me as too villainous, but now I feel like maybe you’re thinking of me as too good,” Patrick sincerely remarked.
Emma couldn’t help but laugh, “I never misjudge good people, nor do I misinterpret bad people. It’s my survival skill. Florence and I are both adept at discerning people’s true nature. If I think you’re good, then you’re probably even better than I imagine.”
These words greatly comforted his confidence, which had always been lacking over the years. “What about my mother, do you think she’s a good person?”
Emma actually harbored some resentment towards Jennifer. She did not respect Emma, nor did she respect her deceased mother. Strictly speaking, anyone who insulted or tarnished her mother’s memory should be categorized as a villain. However, this was Patrick’s mother. She sighed, trying to provide an objective assessment, “She’s not entirely evil, but she seems to be spoiled. I don’t like her, but I won’t conflict with her. You can rest assured onthat.”
Patrick also understood his mother’s character. “I will advise her to get along with you. Just as you said, she’s just a bit spoiled. I’ll make sure she gradually accepts you. You are a good child and deserve her respect and love.”
On this point, Emma thought, this seemed difficult to achieve.
After Patrick returned to his room, he began to reflect on the words Emma had spoken. He thought perhaps reevaluating himself wouldn’t hurt. It could help him discover issues he hadn’t been aware of before and make adjustments to make more beneficial decisions. Suddenly, someone pushed the door open, startling Patrick. Normally, he was very perceptive. Even from five meters away, he could hear clearly through the wall, but his distraction had dulled his senses.
However, typically, only one person would enter without knocking, his mother Jennifer.
“Mother, it’s late,” he said, looking at her. Since his father’s death, she rarely sought him out unless it was for something important. “Why did you come over all of a sudden? You should be resting with Nelson.”
“He’s taking a shower, so I came to see you while he’s busy,” Jennifer said.
The statement sounded odd. Nelson was never the one to have a say in Silver Moon Pack. Jennifer didn’t need to care whether he agreed or not. Moreover, Patrick was the actual person in charge of Silver Moon Pack. He frowned, “You shouldn’t need his permission to come see me.”
Sure enough, Jennifer’s face showed a strange embarrassment.
She hesitated and said, “About that new girl, how do you feel about her?”
Patrick didn’t understand what his mother was trying to express. “She’s my sister. She’s only sixteen, with no fixed abode, always working. She never had the chance for an education. Everything she does is for her mother. She never considers her own life, even though it has never been easy for her. Isn’t that true?”