Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Jen's tongue tied in knots, unable to utter a word for what seemed like an eternity.

The others shared a look of utter disbelief.

"Prof... Professor?" Sammy's gaze darted between Owen and Roseanne, as if he'd stumbled upon some earth-shattering secret. Liz's lips tightened, her gaze icy.

"Owen, what's all this about?" Stoddard recovered from his initial shock and asked point-blank.

Owen simply said, "Helping out, didn't you notice?"

"You're helping all the way into the Cole family's affairs now, aren't you quite the hero..." Stoddard joked half-heartedly.

Owen replied, "A close neighbor is better than a distant relative, especially one who only turns up for meals."

"Near neighbor? What do you mean?"

Roseanne explained, "Mr. Reynolds lives next door. We're neighbors, door to door. Just this afternoon when I was leaving the lab and planning to go grocery shopping, Mr. Reynolds was heading out with his car and offered me a lift to the supermarket." "So, that's the story." Jen let out a sigh of relief.

For a second, she thought something was going on between them! It totally freaked her out!

Sammy also patted his chest in relief, narrowly avoiding a major misunderstanding. Thank goodness...

Liz's dark mood cleared up instantly, "Is it time to eat then?"

"Absolutely." Jen nodded vigorously.

Roseanne gestured, "Everyone, please take a seat and start. I'll have the last two dishes ready in a jiffy!"

Dinner was a cheerful affair.

Jen couldn't stop praising Roseanne's culinary skills, and Sammy was equally enthusiastic.

Even Liz, who was perpetually on a diet, ended up eating more than half a bowl of rice.

She didn't want to, but two of the dishes were just irresistible.

All Roseanne's fault...

After dinner and cleaning up, Roseanne escorted them downstairs.

To be accurate, it was both Roseanne and Owen who saw them off.

Though everyone knew the two were neighbors, living in the same building, their side-by-side departure made them seem more like a couple seeing off guests.

Jen noticed and had a strange expression on her face.

Sammy, engrossed in conversation

with Liz, didn't pay much attention, "Liz, it's dark out. It's not safe for you to goalone. Shall I walk you home?"

"No, I've got my car."

"Oh, alright then. Be careful on your way."Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

QUMS

In her car, Liz didn't start the engine immediately. Instead, she pulled up a contact and dialed.

"Are you still working in real estate?" she asked once the call connected.

"Yeah, that's all I do. What's up? Suddenly checking in on me, what do you need?"

Liz bit her lip, then she said, "I'm looking to rent a place near Kingswell University. Preferably an apartment building, no elevator, within walking distance to the library." en

An apartment building? No elevator?

The person on the other end was taken aback by these requests.

"You sure you want something like that?"

Is the lady lowering herself to experience the hardships of life?

Confusing, but I'll go with it.

Liz confirmed, "Yes."

"If those are your criteria, then... it's gotta be those old steel factory dorm buildings near the south gate of Kingswell University." Liz's eyes lit up, "That'll do!"

"But just so you know, those

buildings aren't in the best shape, no

fancy neighborhood management, but they do have easy access to transport..."

"That's fine. Just find me a place. I'll pay whatever it costs."

It's not only Roseanne who can be Owen's neighbor.

There's more than one way to get close to Owen.

...

After seeing everyone off, Roseanne and Owen headed back.

Suddenly-

"Anne."

She turned instinctively to find Corley standing across the street, smiling and waving at her.