Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 786

Stoddard leaned back in his chair, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "You can't fool me, Owen! You say you're not interested in Roseanne, but you're acting like a lovesick puppy. Caught you red-handed!"

Owen Reynolds just stared at his computer screen, saying nothing.

"Listen, buddy," Stoddard continued, "if you have doubts, the best thing to do is to just ask her straight up. Man up a little! You've mentioned yourself that Roseanne hates all that beating around the bush."

Owen seemed to be lost in thought.

"Don't hesitate any longer! Before you know it, she'll be someone else's girl. I bet you can't focus on work until you sort this out."

"Who says I can't focus on work?" Owen shot back.

"Ha! Then why's there a mistake in these simple calculations?" Stoddard pointed

to a glaring error on the screen. "Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, my friend."

Owen glanced over, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face. Stoddard gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You got this, bro!"

With that, he turned back to his own workspace.

"When did you figure it out?" Owen suddenly asked.

Stoddard paused, turning with a smirk. "The way you look at Roseanne, the special treatment you give her, even your tone is softer around her. If I didn't notice, I'd have to be blind."

a sheepish grin. "Is it really that

talking about?" Liz

up, shooting Stoddard a warning

Stoddard hid his hands behind his back, giving Owen

so secretive, Mr. Stoddard? Some top-secret project I can't know

addressing Stoddard, her eyes subtly drifted

put it that way, it's

himself. It wasn't just Owen's feelings he could see clearly;

he

You've

now, and nobody's been pulling late nights. What do you

Owen Reynolds returned home

up at Roseanne's window. It was

quickly lost his appetite In the end, he settled

his desk, Owen opened his laptop and stared at his unfinished paper, trying to

an hour, he checked the time again. Another half hour passed, and still no sign

his teacup in the kitchen, his

be at

the sound of a car engine cut through

the balcony, spotting Corley's