Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne had been grinding through two exam papers in the library, stumbling over each final question. She racked her brain for ages, to no avail, and then remembered seeing a similar problem in a book. She got up and headed to the lending area to search for that book and its problem type.

After a few minutes of searching, she found it and was about to return to her seat when a book caught her eye.

The title was "Genetic Sequences: Recombination and Fusion." And she remembered something Owen had said, prompting her to pull the book from the shelf.

As she flipped through the pages, she was surprised that the book's viewpoint resonated deeply with her thoughts. She turned more pages, her excitement growing, and she became completely engrossed in the material.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and a message popped on the screen.

Leda: [Guess where I am?]

Roseanne thought it was some word game and was about to reply when a thought struck her. [You're at school, aren't you?]

[Bingo!]

Immediately after Roseanne stepped out of the library, she saw a figure standing under a tree.

"What brings you here all of a sudden?"

"Just passing by and thought I'd bring you some treats." Leda lifted a bag, the delicious aroma wafting through the air. "I've made the delivery, so I should be off."

"Aren't you going to join me?" Roseanne asked.

Leda waved her off. "It's all for you. I've got tons to do." She sighed, "I've just taken on a new project and been busy with work for three days. I only slept eight hours in total these few days. I woke up to my dad summoning me. It's just madness!"

A designer Leda only took on a few big projects a year, each demanding her full attention, often leaving her no time to rest. This time, it was a rush job, or else she wouldn'Dhave got dragged into it.

"This gig has a bit to do with the Sherwood family," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye, "Interested?"

"Not interested," Roseanne cut her off before Leda could finish, handing her an umbrella, "Aren't you busy? Don't forget the sunscreen."

Leda watched her walk away, raising

an eyebrow. She hadn't even shared the details yet. Looking down at the project brief, it was true. The Reynolds family's rival was the

Sherwood family.

Meanwhile, after sending Millie off, Murray cleared out York and Cliff, who were there for the spectacle.

The once noisy hospital room fell

silent. Rubbing the temples, Murray looked at the IV needle in his hand and yanked it out without a second thought Blood oozed from the puncture site. He scowled, dabbing it with a tissue before putting on his jacket, ready to leave.

"Mr. Murray! You can't leave the hospital now!" After entering to change his IV bag, a nurse tried to stop him.

Murray frowned. "Move!"

Intimidated by the cold fury in his eyes, the nurse stepped aside, watching him leave before reporting to the hospital authorities.

Murray hated the sterile smell of hospitals and the helplessness of being a patient. He wanted to go home.

Sure enough, Beverley's calls started flooding his phone.

Concentrating on driving, he ignored the calls until the constant ringing became too much to bear, and he eventually picked up with one hand.

Beverley's voice came through, frantic and fast. "The hospital just called me, saying you left without discharge. Do you have any idea of your condition? You need to go back..."