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."

were the top

slightly taken aback. "Was I? I didn't

point of pretending?" Hertha sneered, her voice dripping

had scored only 392, barely making it to the interviews, and

genuinely hadn't paid attention to

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

lists names according to scores from high

believe it, just forget

it

said, too exhausted to explain further. What Hertha thought of her

off with Murray Sherwood, pleasing his

crow; fall out of love, and everything related

Hertha stopped

turned back, her gaze

finished the interview,

"Yes."

did they ask? Were there many questions related to

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

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

gets different questions, you

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

was at a loss