Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne didn't beat around the bush. "Carlson, did you check out Lab C122?"

"C122?" Carlson paused, clearly caught off guard.

Roseanne continued, "I've looked into your current project, and it doesn't seem like you need the CPRT Analyzer."

Carlson looked down for a moment, his initial surprise fading, replaced by calmness.

When he looked up again, any sign of confusion had vanished, leaving a serene expression. "Yeah, I checked it out."

Roseanne exchanged a glance with Scales.

"I needed it, so I took it. Is there a problem?"

Roseanne pressed, "Then why have I passed by several times and never seen you using it?"

Carlson replied, "I don't use it often, but I do need it occasionally."

This response made Mamie swallow back her ready accusation "You're hoarding resources maliciously." After all, he was using it, so they couldn't really accuse him of anything. Resources at the college were meant to be shared, first-come-first-served, and they couldn't fault him on that.

long do

"I'm not

leave it at that for now," Roseanne said calmly, nodding at him before signaling for

watched them leave, his expression not one of

to finish up his work before changing his clothes and heading to

was ajar, and as

apply for the

It was Sybil Moore.

a college scholarship, which, though not as high as the national one, won't draw much attention. You're new here and already making waves; better to keep

the national

his grades are top-notch. What about you?" Edna was clearly losing patience. Sybil was

scoffed, "Do I really need to spell out how

closer in a coaxing manner, "Auntie Edna, don't be

our family proud,

give you bragging rights."

and ambitious, but let's not push it this year. Next

the auntie talk; it's

know, I know, I only say it when we're