Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



Mamie raised an eyebrow, "This Sybil...she's something else."

"How so?"

"As soon as I got my grad school acceptance, I joined the freshers' group chat, and everyone's been talking about this Sybil..."

A top student at our university, didn't quite hit the mark for an automatic scholarship due to her GPA, but having published six articles in international science journals during her undergrad, the department made an exception and offered her a spot.

She's been dubbed the "prodigy," the "rising academic star."

"So, this is the famous Ms. Payne we've been hearing all about. Pleasure to finally meet you," chuckled a guy among the group, though his tone suggested otherwise.

Mamie frowned, "That's Slater, the admin of the freshers' group chat. Guy spends like 22 out of 24 hours online, always stirring things up."

As soon as Slater spoke up, Edna turned to the others, "Well, what are you waiting for? Everyone, say hello to Ms. Payne."

Sybil just smirked, staying silent. She was well-known, certainly, but also unmistakably proud.

Grace nodded slightly, true to her name, her smile was gentle and her voice melodious, "Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Payne."

Hertha, on the other hand, was visibly awkward.

She had tried everything-visiting when sick, bearing gifts, treating Madeleine like royalty to gain favor.

Now she found herself in Edna's camp.

And deep down, she knew exactly how she landed her grad spot-the exams didn't go her way, but gifts made a path. Madeleine obviously knew it too.

So facing her now was even more daunting.

Her eyes darted around, avoiding contact.

Then there was this guy named Arkle, who eagerly stepped forward, gripping Madeleine's hand tightly-

"Ms. Payne, it's an honor! I-I'm Arkle! I've read your papers, watched your lectures online, never imagined I'd meet you in person, I'm—I'm so thrilled..."

His excitement seemed genuine, given his rapid breathing, trembling body, and the bright sparkle in his eyes.

Madeleine, taken aback at first, smiled and gently reciprocated the handshake, "Nice to meet you, Arkle."NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

The guy's tan face flushed with a rosy tint, and he scratched his head, revealing a bright white smile.

Tall, easily over six feet, dressed in

nothing fancier than a wort

T-shirt and shorts, with leather

dals on his feet. Content h

to

His laugh was both robust and simple.

Slater quickly stepped in, yanking him back, "Get over there, you bumpkin. You're making us look bad!"

Arkle, however, seemed oblivious to

the

reveless, still grinning foolishly,

in the fact that Ms. Payne

had just called him by his name.

Edna wasn't pleased. Having her student fawn over her rival was like a public betrayal.

But she quickly recomposed herself, flashing a smile, "Ms. Payne, aren't you going to introduce your student?" Madeleine didn't want to engage.

Slater, seizing the moment, chimed in, "Yeah, Ms. Payne, your turn."

Madeleine's response was cold and deliberate, "We're not in the same research group. No need for introductions."

Before Edna could retort, Slater took the lead, "Is it really no need, or are you just embarrassed?"

"You-" Mamie was livid, eyes bulging, "Some mouths just can't speak anything nice!"

Slater shot back, "So what? I'm better than you, a fat pig!"

Mamie was stunned.

Sure, she was overweight, but being outright called a "pig" to her face was a first!

Roseanne's expression darkened,

"Seems like Ms. Edna's students aren't much to speak of either.

Spewing insults, even resorting toet

personal attacks, such low

velvet

standards. As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together. Clearly, a case of the blind leading the blind!"