(T/W: This chapter contains depictions of abuse involving minors, including emotional, physical, or ual harm. Viewer discretion is advised, and individuals who may be sensitive to such topics are encouraged to proceed with caution or refrain from engaging with this material.")

Charlie, Leora, and Alice lounged at their favorite pavilion, sipping on their cups of milk tea as they discussed the day's events.

"So, how did the placement test go, sis?" Alice inquired, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Charlie's expression fell as she sighed heavily. "I'm doomed..."

Leora, always the one for a bit of playful banter, chimed in, "Well, aren't you always?"

A pained grin crossed Charlie's face as she playfully swatted Leora's arm. "Ha-ha, very funny."

"But seriously, what happened?" Alice pressed.

Charlie leaned back in her seat, a troubled expression clouding her features. "I'm confident in all of the subjects, but biology... It's like a foreign language to me. And I had my sights set on getting into the special class..." She trailed off, a glimmer of frustration in her eyes.

Leora and Alice exchanged surprised glances, their eyebrows shooting up in unison. "Special class? YOU?!?!" Alice blurted out, unable to contain her astonishment.

Charlie's cheeks flushed with indignation. "Hey, cut it out with the insults!"

But Leora intervened, coming to Charlie's defense. "Our Charlie may have had her struggles in the past, but she's no idiot. She's always managed to pull through with decent grades. Maybe she's really turning over a new leaf!"

Charlie's eyes lit up with gratitude as she reached for Leora's hand, a hint of vulnerability in her gaze. "Sister Leora, do you really believe I'm not stupid?"

Leora chuckled affectionately, patting Charlie's hand. "Of course, I do, silly."

But then she recoiled, a shiver running down her spine. "Stop it... you're an alpha, and I'm an alpha... it's disgusting!" Despite her words, Leora couldn't help but laugh at Charlie's childlike antics.

It had been a while since Leora witnessed Charlie's vulnerability. Ever since they entered high school, Charlie had morphed into a terrifying bully. But now, seeing her old best friend's warmth resurface, Leora couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope that perhaps Charlie was finding her way back to herself.

As Charlie and her friends strolled down the hallway of Hastings Academy, the atmosphere seemed to tense up around them. Students either averted their gazes or hurried past, afraid of catching Charlie's attention and becoming the next target of her infamous bullying.

Feeling the weight of the uneasy atmosphere, Charlie let out a heavy sigh. "Charlie, why the sudden sigh?" Leora inquired, concern lacing her voice.

Charlie paused, contemplating her next words carefully. "Do you think people find me terrifying?" she asked, her tone laced with innocence.

"What the fork are you on, sis Charlie? Are you high today? Of course, everyone sees you as a terrifying and terrible monster!" Alice blurted out without thinking, clutching her milk tea with a death grip, suddenly aware of the S-Class Alpha beside her.

"Heh, heh... What I mean is, I, uh..." Alice stumbled over her words, realizing her blunder too late as Charlie let out another sigh.

Sensing something deeper troubling Charlie, Leora and Alice exchanged concerned glances. "Are you okay, Charlie?" Leora asked, her voice gentle with worry.

"You see... I know I did terrible things in the past... Is it too late to change now? Am I that irredeemable?" Charlie's voice held a hint of sadness as she voiced her inner turmoil.

Once again, Leora and Alice exchanged surprised glances, their expressions softening with understanding. Leora's heart swelled with joy at Charlie's admission, seeing her best friend's genuine desire to change for the better. She had always believed that the goodness in Charlie's heart would resurface eventually, but she didn't expect it to happen so soon.

"Sister Charlie, you were originally a good-natured kid... You were kind when we were growing up. I don't know what happened, why you suddenly started acting like a spoiled brat, but I always believed that one day, you'd find the goodness in your heart that you tried to bury. So to answer your question, it's never too late to redeem yourself!" Leora spoke with utmost sincerity, her eyes locking with Charlie's as she smiled warmly.

"L-Leora..." Charlie's voice cracked with emotion as she enveloped Leora in a tight hug.

"Hey! I told you not to do these kinds of things! We're both Alphas! This is disgusting!!" Leora joked, playfully pushing Charlie away.

"Sister Leora... Sister Alice... From now on, I will turn a new leaf! I will change and be Saint Charlotte if needed! I have to change if I want to live a long life, so... I hope you both help me, my dear sisters, best friends!" Charlie declared, pulling both Alice and Leora into a tight embrace, leaving them both stunned into silence.

"I still think sis Charlie is high..." Alice muttered, breaking the moment with a playful jab.

"Excuse me, can I pass through?" A cold voice from behind interrupted the tender moment shared by the three friends hugging in the hallway.

It was Serena Sutherland, her presence casting a chill over the corridor.

"Hehe, of course... Let's make way for Miss Sutherland..." Alice chimed in, her tone light and playful.

As Serena passed by, a hint of strawberry champagne wafted through the air, tantalizing Charlie's senses. It was Serena's pheromones—the scent that seemed to suit her perfectly.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Charlie and her friends, Serena had accidentally eavesdropped on their conversation.

Did I hear that right? Charlie wants to change? Is that why she's suddenly being nice to me? Serena's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. It seemed almost too good to be true. No one changes that quickly, right? But then again, why would Charlie lie to her friends? Despite being a bully to everyone else, Charlie had always been fiercely loyal to Leora and Alice.

But Serena couldn't shake off the memories of the things Charlie had done to her. They were unforgivable.

I don't know if I can trust her... Even if she says she wants to change, I definitely can't, not after everything she's done to me... Serena's heart hardened with resolve as she continued down the hallway, her guard