Chapter 311: Pride and Prejudice

**Thelma Zane’s POV** Frank grabbed Aldrich’s collar with an iron grip and dragged him to the edge of the training ground, his steps firm and deliberate. Surrounding the perimeter of the wire fence were young trainees of the same batch, engrossed in their weekend movie night. The contrast between Aldrich and his peers couldn’t have been starker. “Look at them,” Frank said, his voice cutting through the evening air like a blade. “A group of young people your age—innocent, pure, and passionate. They can make friends with just a glance, share laughs with ease, and build bonds without hesitation. And then there’s you. At fifteen, maybe sixteen, you’re living like a cynical old man, prying into the dark corners of everyone else’s soul. But here’s the irony—you’re the one stuck in the dead end.” Frank’s words came with the weight of years of wisdom. His tone was scolding, yet there was an undeniable hint of concern beneath it. He shook Aldrich slightly to emphasize his point. “Wh