Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 397

After nearly polishing off their plates, Scales stood up to settle the bill.

Just as they were about to leave, they bumped into Slater, Sybil, Grace, and Arkle. The only one missing from

their usual troupe was Hertha, which wasn't surprising considering she never dined at places like this. "Well, well,

well, if it isn't Ms. Payne's three musketeers?!" Slater broke the ice with a smirk, but his teasing tone made

people uncomfortable.

Roseanne and her companions didn't respond.

Slater's smile stiffened a bit before he continued, "What a coincidence running into you here. Didn't see Ms.

Payne with you. Too stingy to treat you to a meal at such a swanky place, huh? Not like us; Ms. Edna covered our

tab today." "The department really does spoil us, huh? Most of this year's research funds went to our project."

"It's a real shame, you know. You guys work your tails off for a grad degree, only to end up with an advisor who

barely has a say. What kind of future does that hold for you?"

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Slater's words flew non-stop, while Sybil and Grace looked on with cold indifference.

Only Arkle, ever the peacemaker, tried to intervene but was briskly pushed aside by Slater-

"Back off, bumpkin! | don't want to catch your country stink!"

Arkle stiffened, a look of hurt and inferiority flashed in his eyes, but he continued, "Con, we're all

classmates here. No need to... make it awkward."

"Why don't you just shut it? You think you have a say here?"

"Why can't | speak? I've got a mouth, don't I?" Arkle retorted, his patience wearing thin.

But arguing was not his forte.

Slater sneered, "Oh, look! The country boy's got a temper. Know your place, will ya? Or do you no longer care

about your future here?"

Arkle hung his head.

He remembered Carlson's advice: Kids from our background will always face unfair treatment. Keep your head

down until you're strong enough to make them look your way. But Arkle wondered, would fairness still mean

anything by then?

"Alright," Sybil suddenly spoke up, "let's drop it."

Grace quickly added, "Yeah, Ms. Edna and Carlson always say they hope we can all get along."

Mentioning "Carlson" was a deliberate move to remind Slater not to overdo it, considering Arkle was under

Carlson's wing.

Pushing someone too hard could lead to uncomfortable questions.

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Slater then lost his steam, "Alright, alright. Wasn't trying to give him a hard time. Just can't stand people who

don't know their place...always siding with outsiders!"

His gaze shifted back to Roseanne and her group, "Speaking of which, ever consider joining our team?"

Roseanne scoffed, "Sorry, not interested."

Slater nodded, "Though you're not quite up to our level, we are a welcoming group, you-" "Sorry, you seem to

have misunderstood me. | meant-your group isn't up to ours." "You!"

"A group that spends its budget on wining and dining rather than real research? I've said it before, a rotten head

results in a rotten tail. Seems like your group's culture is consistent." en

Scales chimed in, "And, isn't your behavior violating sregulations?"

Mamie immediately raised her phone, "I record this for evidence. Say it again, who treated you to this meal? Ms.

Edna, right? If I'm not mistaken, you said Ms. Edna covered your tab...?"