Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Owen casually remarked, "It's the outstanding students that make you wonder just how far they can go."

And indeed, she exceeded his expectations by miles.

...

Stepping out of the examination hall, Roseanne immediately received a message from Leda.

A week ago, they had agreed to celebrate after their interviews, planning to meet at their favorite French bistro.

Roseanne opened her maps app, ready to hail a ride.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind her.

"Roseanne? It is you!"

Hertha had also come for the second round of interviews that afternoon.

She had arrived early to get accustomed to the environment, hoping it would ease her nerves. She hadn't expected to bump into Roseanne.

"What's this..." Hertha Sherwood looked her up and down.

"Interviews," Roseanne replied calmly.

"You passed the written exam?!" Her surprise almost made her voice crack.

"Yes."

"How many points?"

"412."

top scorer in our

taken aback. "Was I? I

point of pretending?" Hertha sneered, her voice dripping with

392, barely making it to the interviews, and couldn't believe Roseanne had

hadn't paid attention to

she received the message about her interview schedule, she hadn't bothered

names according to scores from high to low, but Roseanne had never

don't believe it, just forget

it

places to be," she said, too exhausted to explain further. What Hertha thought of her didn't matter at

breaking it off with Murray Sherwood, pleasing his family was no longer her

crow; fall out

Hertha

back, her

You've finished the

"Yes."

did they ask? Were there many questions related to

raised an eyebrow. "You... want me to spill

it so crudely. Just sharing some experience, it's not that serious. Besides, the questions

Roseanne nodded, "Since you know everyone gets different questions, you should understand there's

locked eyes with her, enunciating each word, "we're in competition,

at a