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.

greening efforts along the roads. They had the old buildings refurbished and parks newly minted. Only the old town retained its original look, with the river dividing the new from

would boat on

over, breaking at the slightest touch and scattering like diamonds, shimmering

bridge spanned the river, and the Cole family lived at one end. While she was walking

Peak Academy, Norris got specially invited to teach at Pinehollow Horizon Future Middle

year, he became

a few students to international contests,

excellence secured him among

of her father, Roseanne

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

have failed so miserably as

him, don't ever come back.

Are you

on, I'm not your father, and you are not my