The morning sun had just begun to warm the narrow streets of Ashford Glen when young Evelyn Harper realized her school fees were missing. She had tucked the money carefully into her backpack, but in her rush to reach the academy before the gates closed, she had forgotten to zip it properly. Tears welled up in her eyes as she retraced her steps, heart pounding with fear and desperation.
People passed by, some glancing curiously, yet none offered help. In a quiet corner beside a tiny cobblestone workshop, a man named Gideon Pierce polished leather shoes, the air around him filled with the smell of wax and tanned hides. His eyes caught sight of Evelyn’s tear-streaked face, and something stirred within him. He stood slowly, wiping his hands on his worn apron. “Child, why are you crying so?” he asked softly.
Evelyn sniffed and attempted to steady herself. “Sir, I lost my school fees. I searched everywhere, but I cannot find them. My stepfather… he gave me the money to pay the school today, and if I don’t, he’ll punish me and maybe even kick my mother and me out.” Her voice trembled, and Gideon felt his heart constrict.