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.

are exactly to my taste... Oh, isn't Roseanne's family from Pinehollow... Why did you bump into me-uh!" York

his mistake,

watching Corley's calm demeanor, emphasized each word: "You went to Pinehollow to see

was light. "I said, it was

he changed the subject, "I did indeed run

"You call her what?"

"Anne."

that again, I dare

Corley provoked. "Anne~ Anne-"

grabbed his collar: "Corley, did

his collar: "Warn

took a deep breath

partnership? Corley, I thought, regardless of what happens between us because of Roseanne, business is business, personal is personal. You wouldn't let

and immature? Ha, she can't stand guys who can't separate personal stuff from work."

forcefully, the sound echoing

your provocations

or the project? Or... do