Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne arched an eyebrow, teasing, "So sure I'll make it? What if I don't?"

Even she wasn't too confident herself.

Owen Reynolds' deep eyes twinkled with amusement, "You said it yourself, 'what if' is just a possibility. I tend to believe in the likelihood of positive outcomes." Roseanne's lips curved into a smile, "Well, here's hoping your good luck rubs off on me."

...

The final round of interviews at Kingswell University was scheduled for early March.

Roseanne picked out a formal outfit, pairing it with low-heeled black leather shoes.

Her attire was standard, nothing flashy, but definitely error-free.

Before heading out, she pondered for a moment and then casually tied an orange and green scarf around her neck.

Her otherwise muted ensemble instantly had a pop of memorability.

The night before had seen a downpour, leaving the ground damp and the air carrying a sticky heaviness.

It felt as though the whole world was wrapped in plastic.

Roseanne watched as people entered and exited the waiting room, some sighing heavily, others visibly tense. Yet, she remained relatively calm.

nervous?" the young woman sitting behind her poked her shoulder

disliked last-minute cramming and had prepared for this day far

scared, just pumped with an adrenaline rush akin

"Number 45, Roseanne-"

"Here."

straightened the wrinkles on her clothes, and was led to

entering, Roseanne

the panel of interviewers,

clad in a grey suit today, his usual gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, a slight frown adding a layer of sternness and aloofness not usually

that instant, she felt her nerves

the formal

panel started with a

related to her field,

quite comfortably

preparation.

the interviewers deliberately

them with

Reynolds, it's

a sharp glint in his eye, "You're applying for bioinformatics, a multidisciplinary field that requires a comprehensive skill set across

"Yes," Roseanne nodded.