Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 812

Scales's lips twitched. "Hey, what do you mean, 'you men'? Don't lump me in with the rest. I'm nothing like that."

Mamie rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. There's a saying, you know-'men are all the same."

Scales protested, "I'm telling you, I'm not like him."

"I don't buy it."

"If you don't believe me, try me!"

Mamie was caught off guard as Scales spun on his heel and walked away. It took her a second to process, and then she blinked in confusion. Try what, exactly? Meanwhile, Grace and Slater, though spared from expulsion, found themselves in limbo. Their advisor had dropped them, and none of the other professors were willing to take them on. In the end, the school grudgingly arranged something for them, just to get it over with.

Academics? Ambitions? Those were off the table. At this point, just keeping their heads down and scraping by for a diploma was the best they could hope for.

On top of that, the university proactively reached out to the competition organizers to explain what had happened. The grand prize originally awarded to Roseanne's team was returned, and an official statement correcting the winners was posted online.

One scandal had unearthed a whole mess beneath the surface.

As the deep chill of late winter set in, the end of the year crept closer.

After spending several days in the lab, Carlson left for his hometown with Arkle.

Duke called more than once, urging Mamie to come home.

"My darling girl, when are you coming back?"

Year's. Your mom and I have packed up and we're heading to

last minute to show up! Your great-uncles might not say anything to you, but they'll definitely give me an earful. Have a little pity on your old man, will

know, Dad! I'll be home

in the living room. "I'll have Larry pick you up at the airport

tattoo-he looks like a mobster. I'll just grab a cab." "Alright, alright, whatever

flew back to her home

she left, Scales stopped coming into the lab too, leaving Roseanne on

own.

...

fallen, thick and deep

double-checked the power, locked

a tire pressure warning light

had no choice but to order a

a request on the app, but

this hour? That was

Roseanne

feathery flakes swirled through the air, gathering on the tree branches until they formed thick, fluffy

watching as a little hollow formed

several times over the winter,

cold, so she tucked her red hands back into

as a snowflake drifted down and landed on her eyelashes. The icy

sighed, wishing for one more snowfall before she left. Roseanne hadn't

car horn sounded-a sharp beep that cut through the