Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Corley kept his composure, his gaze fixed. "Did I not ask you? Weren't you the one who told me to go after it? What's got you so uptight now?"

Murray's mind raced back to their group chat from not so long ago, his face turning as white as a sheet.

Roseanne was trembling all over, nearly collapsing.

Owen caught her quickly, steadying her. "Let's get you out of here."

Corley narrowed his eyes, blocking Owen's path. "And where do you plan to take her? Don't forget this isn't some high school prom where you can come and go as pleased." Sensing the gravity of the situation, Murray glared over with a look as ferocious as a wolf's, a storm of rage brewing in his eyes.

Owen lifted his gaze, his usually harmless and gentle eyes turning sharp and dangerous. "Mr. Reynolds from NexTech Innovations initiated the academic conference at the Starlight Tower Hotel. The meeting's about to wrap up, and he was there today. A quick call, and he should be here in two minutes. If you don't want the mess you've made today to reach the ears of the Sullivan and Sherwood elders, you'd best learn when to stop."

In Lumina, the Reynolds family's power and status were unmatched by either the Sullivan or Sherwood families. Plus, Owen went straight for the jugular, invoking the family elders.

Corley hesitated for a second.

Murray couldn't help but frown.

"And if I'm not mistaken, the Reynolds and Sherwood families have a partnership. If this scandal sours relations, it's not something you can handle all by yourself." His tone was measured, but Corley and Murray felt the

their reactions

remained silent, and with a slight squint in his eyes, Corley had no

it!" Kicking a stone in frustration, Murray felt his chest was about

scene, Cliff and York exchanged glances, not

and turned to leave. Murray

forward,

Murray roared, "Get lost!"

...

began to rain. Raindrops pelted the car window, sliding down, trailing wet paths. The howling

a hole had been punched through her

a warm

of Owen enveloping her. Her pent-up emotions suddenly broke through, tears

her soft sobs, Owen felt a heavy weight in his heart. He asked the driver to pull over and raise the partition, giving her

calmed down, remembering