Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



"...Liz?" Sammy called out twice, but the woman didn't respond.

It wasn't until he gently squeezed her shoulder that Liz finally snapped back to reality.

"...What did you say?"

"I was asking what you're looking at?"

"Nothing." Liz brushed off his hand from her shoulder, "I've got something for Mr. Reynolds."

With that, she hurried off towards Owen Reynolds.

Sammy watched his own hand fall back to his side, and Liz's eager figure moving away, a puzzled frown crossing his face.

He hadn't expected Liz to be interested in this kind of mixer.

Since she wanted to come, he thought he might as well join her.

So, he specifically reached out to the college student council, offering to attend as a faculty representative.

After all, Sammy didn't just work in Owen Reynolds' lab; he also held a position on campus.

When Liz saw the invitation, her smile was brighter than the sun itself.

Sammy rarely saw her smile like that, and he couldn't help but smile too.

He thought to himself, this was definitely worth the effort!

"Professor, wait up-'

"

Owen Reynolds halted, turning to see Liz approaching him with a smile.

"Miss Lee, what can I do for you?"

"Professor," she said, half-jokingly, "since Roseanne is tied up, how about I step in for a dance with you?"

Owen Reynolds' gaze darkened slightly: "No need."

Liz's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, laughing it off, "Come on, I was just kidding. Don't reject me that fast... I came to ask about when we can replace that aging equipment in the lab? Mr. Stoddard has complained about it several times."

Owen Reynolds frowned, "Two days ago, I sent out a group email detailing the handling of the aging equipment, including the cost of new equipment, installation time, etc."

Liz's expression stiffened, "Is that so? I must have missed it... Sorry."

"Lab regulations, rule number two, require checking the work email daily."

Ouch!

"Professor, I..."

"As a researcher, I'd hope you'd focus more on your work."

Liz looked down, "Understood, Professor."

"Good."

With that, he walked away.

Not only did Liz face rejection, but

she

ps got a lecture, leaving here

her teeth in frustration.

Sammy approached, noticing her sour mood, and handed her a gl

et

of juice with a gentle tone, "Liz, your favorite lime seltzer, want a a sip?"

Liz looked up sharply.

For a moment, Sammy thought he saw... disgust in her eyes?

Could she... disgust him?Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Before Sammy could discern further, those beautiful eyes became impassive again.

"Thanks," Liz took it, tasting a sip, "It's pretty good."

Yet, her grip on the glass tightened, her knuckles turning white.

Why?

Why could Owen Reynolds openly invite Roseanne, but dismiss her invitation without a second thought?

Even though Roseanne had turned him down!

Why?

Why were so many men orbiting around Roseanne?

What was so great about her!

"How do you think I compare to Roseanne in looks?" Liz suddenly asked.

The question caught Sammy off guard.

It took him a few seconds to

recover, then he smiled, "You and Roseanne are both stunning. But in my eyes, Liz, you're the most beautiful woman in the world, no argument!"

However, such sweet nothings did nothing to appease Liz, instead, her expression darkened even more.

Indeed, she was beautiful. So why couldn't Owen Reynolds see it?