Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne said sincerely, "You know, I really should apologize for being such a hothead when I was younger. She deserves an apology."

Leda nearly choked on her drink, coughing several times before painting her face with a look of sheer refusal. "Oh, come on, girl, spare me the drama. It's not like you don't know the whole story. The only class I ever flunked and had to retake was Ms. Payne's elective. Just the thought of her gives me the chills. Besides, I'm such a nobody. She's probably forgotten all about me. Honestly, I'm no help to you." Seeing Leda's reluctance, Roseanne didn't push further.

"But," Leda's eyes twinkled mischievously as her tone unexpectedly turned, "I might just have the perfect person for this job."

"Oh?"

"Remember my cousin, Owen Reynolds?"

Roseanne sipped her water and nodded. "Of course, I remember."

Owen Reynolds, the youngest leading figure in the national physics community, topped last year's list of the ten most influential young scientists in Nature magazine. An undergrad protégé of Madeleine, he majored in Applied Biosciences, published five papers in SCI within two years, and was hailed as a prodigy by the biological sciences community.

Then, he made the radical decision to switch disciplines and dive into physics for reasons unknown. It caused quite a stir at the time.

out, a capable person could make a mark in any field. Owen had become a heavyweight in

junior by a few years at the same university, Roseanne had heard legendary tales about Owen long before she knew he was Leda's cousin. Owen had been working at a research

Ms. Payne's health days ago. He's been busy but thought of paying a visit. It'd be perfect if you two went together." The more

couple of rings,

a deep voice, cold and

in

background noise suggested he was busy, and the call ended in less than a

talk more then."

nodded. "Thanks,

hour early. When she arrived at the restaurant, she checked her watch and found she was on

Perfect timing.

His attire was simple yet elegant, wearing a white shirt paired with black slacks and gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. The sunlight casting shadows on his profile made him look like

T-shirt and jeans, her hair tied back