At that moment, Johanna felt a surge of courage. She nodded firmly, her voice clear and resolute. "I'll go with you!"

The two quickly packed their belongings. Archie quietly slipped into the director's office and stole five hundred dollars. Meanwhile, Johanna went to the kitchen, stole some food, and stuffed it into a backpack. The youngsters slipped out of the house under cover of night, scaled the wall, and escaped into an uncertain future. The years of wandering were just as difficult.

Initially, the five hundred dollars prevented starvation, but once it ran out, securing food became a struggle. They sometimes went hungry and slept under bridges, often driven away by other homeless people. For a week, they collected discarded mineral water bottles, rummaging through trash cans, because the bottles could be exchanged for money. Once they filled a large sack, they sold it for a few dollars—enough for food. Countless days and nights passed in this harsh yet strangely sweet existence. Compared to the orphanage, it was different.

One day, a group of young thugs targeted Johanna, their provocations escalating. To protect her, Archie fought them, dragging his injured body back to their bridge. Archie had broken one thug's leg, ensuring future retribution.

They abandoned their makeshift home and left the city, traveling until they reached Seldvale. There, in the dazzling, prosperous city of skyscrapers, the youngsters were deeply shocked.

That night, the moon was obscured by dark clouds, but the ambition in Archie's eyes burned bright. Johanna looked up at him. His gaze fixed on the bustling city, he said, "We won't live like this forever. Johanna, trust me. I'll keep climbing, no matter what! I don't want to survive like a helpless ant; I want to reach a height no one else can. I want those who humiliated us to beg for mercy! I want to stand in the clouds and watch others struggle in vain! I want money, power, and everyone to bow before me!"

Archie relentlessly pursued his ambition, securing a low-ranking position with the Russell family. His soaring ambition constantly clashed with harsh reality. The height he dreamed of seemed a distant pipe dream. To take a shortcut, he targeted Imogen, the much older daughter of the Russell family. He succeeded, staging an accident to rescue her and carefully weaving a web of affection.

Now, it had all come back to bite him. Johanna trembled, holding Archie's body, her tears flowing uncontrollably. Her voice choked with sobs, she whispered, "I regret it, Archie. I regret it..."

Their earlier days had been beautiful, a time of mutual dependence and joy amidst hardship. Life had been tough, yet they had found a semblance of dignity. But now, how had things spiraled into this mess?