Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

She hiked up her skirt, this time with more caution.

The little mishap barely ruffled any feathers; everyone's concern was solely on whether Roseanne was hurt. Stoddard offered his arm without hesitation, "Here, little Roseanne, lean on me. I've got muscles! You won't fall."

But it was Liz whose gaze lingered on Roseanne's side, as if trying to bore holes into her with her eyes.

During dinner, Sammy noticed she barely touched her food and worried she might be feeling unwell, "Why are you eating so little today? Stomachache again?" Her meals were often at odd times, so Sammy had gotten used to nagging.

"The dishes today are all pretty light, just right for your stomach. And this is your favorite..."

"Can you not?" Liz pushed his hand away, "I just don't feel like eating, alright? Why do you have to make such a fuss? Can't I even decide whether to eat or not?" Sammy's hand, midway in serving, froze, "That's not what I meant. I just worry about your health..."

No one else intervened, simply focusing on their own meals.

It wasn't that they didn't want to interfere; they were just used to it.

After all, Sammy enjoyed it. Why would these outsiders chip in?

It could only end up offending someone, and nobody wanted to be that fool, engaging in thankless tasks.

Owen glanced over at Sammy, who was completely absorbed with Liz and didn't notice Owen's gaze.

Roseanne wasn't one to meddle in others' business or indulge in gossip; she just kept her head down, savoring the gourmet meal in front of her.

No wonder it's a Michelin restaurant; it's absolutely delicious!

...

After that day, Roseanne completely parted ways with Owen's lab.

A few idle days later, on a weekend afternoon, she suddenly received a call from Norris.

"Darling, I've got good news! Wanna hear it?"

"Of course," Roseanne guessed what it might be but played along, "Spill it, Dad, don't keep me in suspense!"

"Ha... let me tell you, our Horizon

Future Middle School staff

residential area is gettingNôvelDrama.Org owns this.

demolished! We're getting compensation according to

vel

commercial land rates. Your mom and I calculated, and it's about a million!"

"That much?!" Roseanne tried to

sound as surprised as possible,

"Good thing we didn't sell the

BAUMS

house when we bought the new one."

"Exactly! Speaking of selling houses, remember Louisa from next door?"

Louisa?

Roseanne remembered her all too well.

She was the one who ruined the wisteria in the courtyard, which had convinced Roseanne to persuade her parents to move. "What about her?"

Norris shared, "Heard she bought a place in another neighborhood and moved last month. But instead of keeping the old house, she fell for a real estate agent's pitch, sold itin a hurry to buy the new one, and let it go for a low price."

"The day after the transaction was completed, the urban development authority announced our area was up for demolition." Louisa was filled with regret.

But since she had sold it herself, there was nothing to do but accept it.

One day, as she aimlessly flipped through the sale contract, curious about the specifics, she noticed-

The buyer's name was exactly the same as the young agent's!

The agent had managed all the paperwork on her behalf, and she had signed wherever he pointed without giving it a second thought.

Louisa had never bothered to check who the buyer was, simply taking the agent's word for it.

Oh, what a mess!

Turns out, the agent bought her demolition-bound house at a bargain?