Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



"Chubby? Chubs?!"

Mamie was truly fuming, but before she could roll up her sleeves and let loose, Scales had already beaten her to the punch-

"Who let you guys in? Our lab doesn't welcome two-legged beasts. If you know what's good for you, scram before we have to get physical." "Who the hell are you calling names?!" Slater was red in the face, veins bulging with anger.

Scales responded with a nonchalant drawl: "Whoever responds, I guess. Looks like we've got a beast quick to claim their title, huh?"

"You-"

Sybil scoffed coldly: "Proud of yourselves? The entire institute is fine, but your lab's the one needing an overhaul. Embarrassing much? And still, you talk tough!"

"I heard the fire safety overhaul alone could take months, tsk tsk... Such a shame, seems like you'll be without a lab for a good while. So what if you published in 'Science'? Doesn't mean the faculty values you any less. Why the arrogance?"

Roseanne chuckled: "I didn't want to say anything at first, afraid you couldn't handle it. But then I thought, being kind to beasts is just being cruel to oneself. Suddenly, I didn't feel so burdened."

"Yeah, so what if I published in 'Science'? You haven't even published there, have you? Must be eating you up inside. Sadly, academic prowess isn't something you can just envy into existence. If you can't, you just can't. No matter how sharp your tongue is, right?"

"You-"

Roseanne gave her a once-over: "I've always been curious. With you always loafing around, joining every bit of drama, where do you find the time for research and writing papers? Anyone with actual academic output is practically living in the lab. And there you are, the most leisurely of all, makes one wonder..."

She paused, capturing Sybil's microexpression, "Are those papers really your work?"

"What are you insinuating?! You only see me when I'm free, what about all the times I'm rushing in the lab..."

Roseanne interjected: "Rushing, or just playing on your phone?"

"I've conducted numerous experiments, produced so many reports..."

Roseanne pressed: "Then tell me, what are the POT parameters on the C-xp coordinate display? What's the domain? The range of parameters?" Sybil was lost: "..."

She heard every word, but couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Roseanne continued: "You don't even know these basic operations, and you claim to have done 'numerous experiments'? Produced 'many reports"?" Sybil's alarm bells were ringing, especially under Roseanne's scrutinizing gaze, as if peering into her very secrets.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

"I-I'm not wasting my time arguing!

Just know you have a week to clear out. After the renovation, this lab might not even be yours anymore!"

With that, she turned and left, her departure tinged with a hint of panic.

Slater was baffled: "Just like that... she's gone?"

They had vowed to show them, but it ended so abruptly?

"I won't stoop to your level today, but mark my words, you'll see!" Slater huffed and hurried after Sybil.

The intruders were gone, but the trio's mood hadn't lightened.

Mamie pondered: "From what Sybil hinted, even if we pass the

renovation inspection, they've got other schemes to claim the lab,

Maybe it's better not to renowne

at

all. Better to crash and burn than to hand it over!"

Scales considered: "First things first, we need to find somewhere else to work. Maybe we could ask around otheDresearch groups? Or even rent some space, we can pay."

Mamie shook her head: "Sounds feasible, but it's easier said than done. Who'd lend their lab to us?"

They were neither friends nor family; nobody was that desperate for cash.

"If you don't mind, you can use my lab."

A maic voice suddenly filled the space.

All three turned towards the door in unison.

And the next second, Mamie gasped: "Mr. Reynolds?!"