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."

the top scorer in

taken aback. "Was I? I

the act. What's the point of

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

hadn't paid attention to the

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

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

believe it,

it

she said, too exhausted to explain further.

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

the crow; fall out of love, and everything related turns

But Hertha

her gaze

finished

"Yes."

"Were the questions hard? What did they ask? Were there many questions

eyebrow. "You... want

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

different questions, you should

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

was at a loss