Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



Edna Moore crossed her arms and looked down, a smirk on her face. "A complaint, you say?"

"Cut the act! The fire inspection went fine for all the other labs except for Roseanne's, which got a notice for improvement. You're telling me you had nothing to do with it?"

Edna's smile widened. "I'm swamped, barely have time to finish my reports and papers. Do you really think I'd waste my time squabbling with kids? But as for others... I can't say."

After all, with so many students under her wing, it was only natural for one or two to take issue with Roseanne and her team, wasn't it?

"You've grown bold, acting on your own without even a heads-up. Do I not matter to you anymore?!"

Edna frowned. "You called me here just for this? What, standing up for Madeleine's students now? That doesn't sound like you, Director White." Babur scoffed. "You think you're so clever with these petty tricks? Pathetic!"

"This fire inspection was a joint operation by the campus and the local fire department. I don't care how you usually deal with them behind closed doors, but this has dragged the whole faculty into it!"

A single lab getting a notice means the faculty shares the blame for oversight!

Especially since fire safety equipment is usually provided by the lab itself. The faculty is responsible for checking and approving it before lending it out to students.

"And you still think you're smart?" Babur sneered. "If the other department heads find out..."

Edna's expression shifted.

"This time, I've covered for you. But don't stir up trouble again!"

Gone was Edna's earlier arrogance. She hesitated. "...So, what now? Call the fire department, smooth things over?"

"You think the fire department is at your beck and call? To report and retract as you please?!"

Edna: "So... we do nothing?"

Babur: "The notice has been posted. Let them make the required improvements."

Since the damage was done, they might as well go through with it.

As for Corley and Owen Reynolds...

The fire department issued the notice, and Edna was the reporter. No way could this be traced back to him.

Babur laughed.

Edna laughed too.

Fire safety improvements, huh...

That would take at least a few months, right?

By then, it would all be water under the bridge.

...

Back in the lab-

Scales: "...Alright, got it. Thanks."

After ending the call, his expression was grave as he turned to Roseanne.

Mamie immediately pressed, "What did they say?"

"Our guess was right. The fire department hinted at a complaint. If it were a regular notice, it could be resolved in twenty days. But with a complaint involved, the quickest we can hope for is four months. During the improvement period, the lab can't be used until it passes the fire department's inspection."

"Four months?!" Mamie's eyes widened. "By that time, we'll be on winter break. What use will it be to us then?"

Not even a day's delay could be afforded by their current progress.

Scales pondered, "Can we apply forProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

a Move all our equipment Os a hassle, but better than

waiting."

net

Roseanne shook her head, having already considered this. "Half an- hour ago, the administration replied that each research group camonly apply for one lab."

"This won't work, that won't work, what do we do?" Mamie was near tears. "We can't just build our own lab, can we?" "Oh-someone's planning to build a lab? Let's see who's daydreaming out loud."

Sybil Moore walked in, her smile smug and her tone mocking.

Slater followed, chuckling. "Who else but our dear Mamie, talking in her sleep with her eyes wide open?"