Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Corley, what's your game here?" Murray walked over to the table.

"What are you talking about?"

"Why did you pull the plug on the development project?"

Corley took a sip of his tea, nonchalantly. "If I don't want to collaborate, I stop. What's the issue?"

"Just quit, just like that?! Do you realize how much cash we're bleeding every single day?"

Corley replied, "Roughly."

"And you're still doing this?!"

After finishing his cup, Corley started making a second brew, his movements smooth and practiced.

Murray grabbed the teapot from him, "You've been dodging me for three days, and now you're silent. Planning to keep dragging this out?"

It was then Corley looked up. "Who says I've been dodging?"

"Your secretary said you were on a business trip. Isn't that just an excuse to avoid me?"

"Hah, avoid you? You're giving yourself too much credit. I was in Pinehollow for a research trip I planned half a month ago. Do I really need to avoid you?"

"...Pinehollow?" Murray sensed something.

Corley gave a half-smile.

and drinks are exactly to my taste... Oh, isn't Roseanne's family from Pinehollow... Why did you bump into me-uh!" York was frantically signaling him, but to no avail, he had to bump

his mistake,

word: "You went to Pinehollow to see

"I said,

changed the subject, "I did indeed run into

"You call her what?"

"Anne."

was furious. "Say that again, I dare

Corley provoked. "Anne~ Anne-"

did

off his hand and calmly smoothed his collar: "Warn me?

took a

happens between us because of Roseanne, business is business, personal is personal. You

she can't stand guys who can't separate personal stuff from

his teacup forcefully, the sound echoing

provocations don't

about Roseanne, or the project? Or... do you want to