Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The neighbor gossiped, "Seriously? Without a job or education, what's she up to?"

"Oh, you know, playing sugar baby to the rich! Just lie down and spread her legs. And voila, her bank account's blooming. Why bother hunting for a job?"

"Yikes! Hazel, watch your mouth! That's a lady's reputation you're messing with!"

Hazel continued, "Hmph. If his daughter has worked a decent job, why hasn't she shown her face around here in years? She's ashamed, and that's why. Norris surely doesn't want the scandal. In a small town like ours, gossip spreads faster than wildfire. How's he supposed to keep his head high as a teacher?"

"Oh, my lord..."

These whispers never reached Norris. Even if they had, he might have kept to his silence.

In his eyes, what his daughter was doing wasn't much different from being kept as a mistress in a big house.

When Roseanne stepped off the train, she couldn't help but wrap her down jacket tighter around herself. Despite Pinehollow being farther south than Lumina City, it was still bitterly cold this time of the year. She sat in the taxi, watching the scenery reel backward, memories of her hometown slowly aligned with the view outside the window.

Pinehollow had seen its heavy industries move out over the years. The government pushed tourism, leading to significant greening efforts along the roads.

would boat on the

winter, its flowing surface would freeze over, breaking at the slightest

the Cole family lived at one end. While she was walking through the alleys, the sign for Pinehollow Horizon Future Middle School Staff

at Twilight Peak Academy, Norris got specially invited to

he became

a few students to international contests, all of whom went to prestigious universities and

His teaching excellence secured

father, Roseanne felt a

told you to aim high, and this is your choice? For a man, you're willing to throw away your

think I, Norris, have failed so miserably as a teacher and

with him, don't ever come back. Don't

sure about this? Are you willing

on, I'm not your father, and you