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.

If this scandal sours relations, it's not something you can handle all by yourself." His tone was measured, but

for their reactions and calmly

Murray remained silent, and with a slight squint in his eyes, Corley had no choice but to step aside, letting Owen

a stone in frustration, Murray felt

scene, Cliff and York exchanged glances, not daring to

picked up his jacket and turned to leave. Murray watched his departing

forward,

Murray roared, "Get lost!"

...

began to rain. Raindrops pelted the car window, sliding down,

stared out the window, feeling a hole had been punched through her

a warm

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

asked the driver to pull

remembering the events that had transpired,