Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The moment the words left her lips, Roseanne instantly regretted it.

But like spilled milk, there was no taking it back.

Corley chuckled, "You know... I'm intrigued by you."

Roseanne rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.

The corner of the man's mouth twitched. "Don't play dumb. I know you understand me."

"What's that? Can't hear you, cough! Let's not talk about it anymore."

Seeing her feign ignorance, Corley couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Run all you want, dodge once or twice, but eventually..."

"Oh dear," Roseanne interrupted, "I forgot my tissues. Do you have one?"

"Sure."

"Lend me one, thanks."

"Now you can hear?" Corley said, half-smiling.

Roseanne was silent.

She was right. Corley indeed had something he needed from her.

But it wasn't until her coffee was nearly finished that he got to the point-

"Mr. Olson is facing a bottleneck with an ongoing project. It's been two months without progress. He's interested in your perspective. Here's all the data." Saying so, he handed over a USB drive.

Roseanne reached out to take it, Corley's

than hers, making the contact feel

withdrew her hand once she had

expression remained unchanged, but

definitely doing it

eyes widened in annoyance, but then he handed her a

it, no

irate, but her anger

all, accidentally

the

hold a grudge

OLMS

Corley?

didn't see

was a paradox either

shop, Corley walked her to

suddenly said, "You're too cunning.

simply smiled at

what?"

of being charmed by me, losing

of

that moment, Corley resembled a

choked, "Scared? I'm only worried about being tricked

"Ah, same difference."

puzzled. How was it the