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

slightly taken aback. "Was

What's the point of pretending?" Hertha

392, barely making it to the interviews,

genuinely hadn't paid attention to

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

to scores from high

you don't believe it,

it

to be," she said, too exhausted to explain further. What Hertha thought

off with Murray Sherwood, pleasing his family was no longer

love the crow; fall out of

But Hertha

her gaze inquisitive,

finished the

"Yes."

they

eyebrow. "You... want me to

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

questions, you should understand there's

word, "we're

was at a