Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



As night fell, the moon shone brightly, casting a clear light over the chilly breeze that swept through the streets.

Roseanne made her way to the laboratory's main entrance, glancing back before issuing a command, "Sweepy, lights off."

"Roseanne, please confirm authorization," a mechanical voice responded out of nowhere.

Looking upwards, she confirmed, "Authorization recognized, turning off the lights."

Three seconds after her words ended, the lights within the entire laboratory dimmed to darkness.

As Roseanne departed, the door automatically shut and locked behind her.

The wonders of a smart lab...

How convenient!

She took out her phone, ready to call a ride, when suddenly, she noticed the door of a Porsche parked by the curb swing open, and Corley stepped out.

Roseanne, surprised, exclaimed, "You're still here?"

Corley had dropped by earlier that afternoon to inquire about some laboratory equipment being brought in.

A conversation that could have been easily settled over the phone, yet he personally made the trip, "...just thought I'd check out your new lab while I was at it."

Mentioning the lab had Roseanne's eyes sparkling with excitement as she eagerly showed him around.

That tour lasted an hour.noveldrama

Realizing she had other matters to attend to, Corley took the hint to leave.

Roseanne had thought he left long ago, but there he was...

Corley simply stated, "Waiting for you."

"... You really didn't have to, I mean....."

Roseanne tried to articulate her thoughts.

The man, however, wouldn't have it, cutting her off, "Get in the car, it's late."

Roseanne, slightly taken aback, muttered a thanks.

Corley smirked, "That's more like it. Say something I want to hear."

With that, he gallantly opened the passenger door for her.

On the road, Corley inquired, "...what did you call that smart assistant again?"

Roseanne replied, "Sweepy."

"Who named it?"

"My brother."

"Does it mean anything?"

"Like sweeping through the battlefield with the might of a dragon."

"I didn't expect Halley to have such a flair..."

Roseanne reached for her phone, "I have to record this and send it to my brother."

"Sure, I was complimenting him. Missed recording it? Want me to repeat?"

Roseanne, "..."

Indeed, no one could outmatch Corley in sheer audacity.

Twenty minutes later, they pulled up at the end of the lane.

"We're here."

Roseanne unbuckled her seatbelt, "Thanks, Mr. Sullivan, for saving me the cab fare again."

"Anytime

I

save. What do you say,

me as your full-time, free- "

of Win or need, I can help you

Roseanne shook her head, "Not considering."

"Why not?"

"There's no such thing as a free lunch. If there seems to be, it's probably because "

Corley raised an eyebrow, "Because what?"

"I'm likely the lunch."

He chuckled softly, "Getting wiser, aren't we?"

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice..."

"But you can't paint everyone with the same brush, right?"

Roseanne pondered for a moment, "Better safe than sorry, I suppose. Might as well sweep them all."

This left Corley speechless.

"Really that strict?"

"In research, precision is key."

"Here, take this." Roseanne handed him an envelope from her bag.

"What's this?"

"An invitation. The lab wouldn't have been ready so soon without Mr. Sullivan's help. How could we

the key player at the opening ved nee

ceremony?"

Those two construction crews

Cainly did put in significant effort,

down the original timeline by

Be did put in significant effort,

at least a third.

Corley accepted it, peeking inside, "Red?"

"Yeah, for good luck."

"People might think you're sending me a wedding invitation."

Roseanne quipped, "Well, you can think of it as one. Isn't the completion of the lab a joyous occasion?"

Corley nodded, "Alright, I'll cherish it! I'll be there on time tomorrow!"