Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



On the other end of the phone, Duke stayed silent for a long moment before finally speaking up, "... You guys are seriously planning to start your own lab?"

"Absolutely!"

"This isn't some whimsical idea that just popped into your heads?"noveldrama

Mamie replied eagerly, "Of course not! We're dead serious about this!"

"Alright then, ten million, right? I'll transfer it to your account at the bank in a bit!"

"Wow-thank you, Duke! Love you, xoxo~"

Duke chuckled with a hint of affection, the kind only a doting father could muster.

That very evening, Mamie shared a screenshot of the transaction in their group chat.

Bright and bold were the seven zeroes in her account, impossible to miss.

Mamie: [All set-】

...

Scales couldn't help but smile upon seeing that "~", almost able to picture how smug Mamie must have been while sending that message.

It seemed he had to step up his game too.

He put away his phone and walked over to the couch, "Grandpa, it's been a while since we played chess. How about a game?"

"Of course! It's been ages since someone actually sat down for a proper game with me."

The old man, leaning on his cane, got up from the couch and settled in front of the chessboard.

They played two rounds, each more thrilling than the last!

Scales intentionally lost a few games, much to his grandfather's delight.

"Scales, you lost again. You seem off today, what's up?"

Sighing, Scales feigned frustration, "Honestly, it's your chess skills. They've improved. Have you been practicing behind my back?"

Flattery gets you everywhere.

Sure enough, his grandfather burst into laughter, "Hahaha..."

Scales insisted, "No, no, let's play another round!"

This time, Scales didn't hold back and naturally won.

The old man, pouting in a childishly sullen manner, said, "You said I practiced, but it looks like you were the one who did! No more, this isn't fun!"

After a pause, he continued, "What's

gotten into you today, coming home out of the blue and even offering to playchess? Out with it, what's the matter?"

"Cough!"

Scales knew he couldn't hide anything from his grandfather's keen eyes.

Without holding back, he shared everything about the academic bullying and malicious suppression he faced at school.

"...Instead of enduring it silently,

decided it's better to start anew. We've got the money and the

location, only the bureaucratel

paperwork is left..." Content belongs

He paused, stealing glances at his grandfather, almost pleading with his eyes.

Yet, the old man remained silent, his gaze deep and contemplative.

Scales dared not rush him, instead busying himself with tidying up the chessboard, the tension palpable.

After what felt like an eternity, his grandfather finally sighed, "I didn't think the academic world had

become so toxic... If what you're

kids in starting from

saying is true, then I support

"As for the paperwork... just go for it, don't worry about the rest."

"Thank you, Grandpa!"

"Remember-do it well. Don't start something you can't finish, giving others a reason to laugh!"

"Got it! You can count on us!"

Though Scales faced some hurdles, everything eventually fell into place.

That night, he too posted in the group chat, following Mamie's lead: 【All sorted~】

But Roseanne, expected to have the smoothest journey, surprisingly encountered some bumps...