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

was slightly taken aback. "Was

act. What's the point of pretending?" Hertha sneered, her voice

only 392, barely making it to the interviews, and

genuinely hadn't paid attention to

interview schedule, she hadn't

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

don't believe it, just

it

to explain further. What

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

fall out of love, and

Hertha

turned back, her gaze

You've finished

"Yes."

eyes flickered. "Were the questions hard? What did they ask? Were there many questions related to

"You... want me to spill

experience, it's not that serious. Besides, the questions they asked you might not be the same

know everyone gets different questions, you

enunciating each word, "we're in competition, what makes you think

was at a