Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 679

Memories, long dormant, began to stir awake.

Fragments of the past flashed through Kathleen's mind, particularly the image of those despairing, tear- filled eyes that haunted her nightmares.

Her voice was raspy with emotion, "Why is Aberdeen's kidnapping blamed on me, just because I happened to be with her when she left? Is it fair to pin her disappearance on me just because of that?"

"If I had known it would come to this, I would have rather been the one taken. Then, perhaps my grandparents would be obsessing over my absence instead."

Kathleen seemed to be lost in her memories, tears streaming down her face, consumed by guilt. Corley couldn't bear to see his mother like this.

Remembering how his grandmother had recently become obsessed with a mystery novel titled "Seven Days," he offered Kathleen a suggestion: "Gran's been really into 'Seven Days' lately. Getting her a signed copy, especially one personalized to her, would make her day."

Seeing Kathleen's mood brighten at the suggestion, he quickly added a word of caution, "You know how Gran can be. Let's take it slow. Get the signed copy first and tell me; I'll help you present it to her..." Better to tread carefully than to make things worse.

can it be?" Corley, seeing her eager to

needing his attention, and he rushed

her request: "...I'm not sure who the author is, but the title

should the inscription say?" the butler inquired, having overheard the

will do. 'Wishing you health and a long life' or something," Kathleen pondered. That's the kind

butler agreed and set out to fulfill

the end of the semester approached, the plant quarantine practical course

exam.

standard sit-down test; students were tasked with

based on the accuracy

Scales, and Mamie formed a

the meeting spot in the group chat, and on

students were already there, loitering in front

college had arranged for five buses, four