Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



"Come on, a dad joke, by its very nature, is supposed to be so bad it's good."

"

." He really had a knack for spinning things his way.

Corley's smile faded as he adopted a serious tone, "Spit it out, what's going on? Is there a reason you absolutely had to see him?" Roseanne raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Why would you say that?"

"You can't stand the guy, so why on earth were you breaking bread with him? Unless... you needed something. Care to elaborate?" After a moment's thought, Roseanne slowly began to explain...

Corley: "So, you're saying you need his signature on some consent form to wrap things up?"

"Exactly."

"Why not just get anyone to sign it?"

Roseanne turned to him, staring intently.

"Cough!" Corley cleared his throat, "Just kidding."

"I thought funding and approvals would be the biggest hurdles. Turns out, the real obstacle is right here."

Corley: "He refused to sign?"

"Yep."

The man's expression darkened: "What's his condition?"

Roseanne: "..."

"Is he asking you to get back with him? Give it another shot?"

"

." Was this guy hiding under the table, eavesdropping?

"Pfft! The nerve! Thinking about getting back together, as if he has a shot!"

Roseanne: "..." There's nothing quite like being roasted by someone who gets it.

"What's going through your mind?"

Roseanne let out a small noise, "...Me? Nothing."

"Definitely something!" Corley's face was stern, his expression screaming, 'I've got you figured out, no use hiding it.' Roseanne: "..."Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

"Great! It's definitely not anything nice! Not secretly cursing me, are you?"

"Cough—well, not exactly..."

Corley: "Where did you say that plot of land was again?"

"East Suburb."

"Good location, not far from downtown, and easy access. Did he give it to you when you broke up?"

Roseanne's mouth twitched: "Why so many questions?"

"This is a tricky situation... We can't exactly force Murray to sign,

that's not our only option." Content

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Roseanne's eyes lit up, "You have another way?"

"I do."

Her interest peaked even further.

Corley: "I've got a plot in East Suburb too. I'll sign it off to you for your lab."

Roseanne was stunned; he made it sound so simple, but this was land, not a toy!

"Forget it, I can't afford your land."

Corley: "No charge, my gift to you."

"That's even more reason to refuse. I don't accept unearned rewards."

"How about this? You pay what you feel it's worth. A token?"

Roseanne: "...Mr. Sullivan, can't you sell your land? Why insist on giving it away?"

Corley smiled slightly: "To me, you're not just anyone."

Roseanne: "..." How does one even respond to that?

Still, before getting out of the car, she made her stance clear, "I appreciate the offer to help,

Ì'II

find my own way." Content

belongs

Corley listened, slightly disappointed but not surprised: "Alright."

If it were so easy to sway her, she wouldn't be Roseanne.

Back at home, Roseanne sat on the couch, gazing at the untouched

documents and pen, letting Que

long sigh.

Downstairs, Owen Reynolds was returning from his lab.

But at the corner, he bumped into Corley's car.

He hadn't paid it any mind until Corley stopped and greeted him, "Good afternoon, Mr. Reynolds."

Owen Reynolds turned, meeting his smirk with a calm, "What brings Mr. Sullivan here?"

"Simply escorting Anne home."

Anne?