Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

As soon as Madeleine's voice trailed off, a tall figure emerged from the inside.

Roseanne was stunned.

Madeleine introduced, "Let me introduce, this is Mr. Olson's student, Corley Sullivan." Corley smiled slightly and extended his hand towards Roseanne, "Nice to meet your."All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

"You... are Mr. Olson's student?" Roseanne was taken aback.

"What? Don't I look the part?"

"Not really."

Madeleine's eyes darted between the two, "You two know each other?"

Corley nodded, "Yes, we do."

And have known each other for quite some time...

"Well, that's fantastic. It's all in the family, then. Why don't you stay for dinner tonight?"

Corley responded, "Thank you, Professor. I'll gladly accept."

And Roseanne was already planning to stay for dinner anyway.

Aunt Sarah had prepared a whole spread, including two of Roseanne's favorites.

Whether by intention or coincidence, Corley gave Roseanne the seat closest to those two dishes and took a spot next to her. Madeleine raised an eyebrow at the scene.

But Roseanne took it as happenstance, praising inwardly: Madeleine is so thoughtful, making my favorite dishes!

"How old are you?" Madeleine suddenly asked Corley.

"I'm 28 this year."

"To be running your own investment firm at 28, that's quite impressive."

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Corley modestly waved his hand, "You flatter me. The firm got off the ground with my family's support. It's only in the last two or three years that it's begun to take off."

"I have more respect for researchers like you and Mr. Olson, who delve into their work day after day, year after year, enduring the solitude and monotony to contribute to the truth of science and the mysteries of academia."

Madeleine replied, "For those of us who love research, this life is neither lonely nor dull. Isn't that right, Anne?" "Yep." Roseanne nodded.

There were no corporate machinations, no societal taints. The lab was pure and simple, indeed very comforting.

At least for her and Ms. Payne, it was.

Corley had an epiphany, "It seems I'm the shallow one here. No wonder Mr. Olson said I was too worldly, not cut out for academia." "Did Hans really say that?"

"Absolutely." Corley nodded, "Right in front of me and my parents."

"That's something Hans would do."

Corley's charm, his high emotional intelligence, even his ability to flatter was so skilled it brought a hearty laugh from Madeleine.

After dinner, Roseanne took the initiative to clean up.

Corley rolled up his sleeves and joined her in the kitchen.

Roseanne was surprised; they'd

known each other for years, albeit not closely, but she'd never heard of him stepping foot in a kitchen.

"Why that look? Is it that strange?" Corley asked as he disposed of the leftovers into the trash.

"A bit."

Corley chuckled, "Am I that useless in your eyes?"

"To be honest, you used to be."

Murray would never set foot in the kitchen, and anyone who hung out with him couldn't be much better, she figured. Corley seemed to read her thoughts, exclaiming, "Guilty by association! That's unfair!"

Together, they cleaned the kitchen, and although Corley kept trying to prove he wasn't "useless," the reality was-