Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

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Duke paced back and forth, muttering under his breath, "You used to not give a darn about what anyone said. Why the sudden interest in slimming down? Did someone give you a hard time?"

Mamie had always been taught to be confident and optimistic, never letting her physique be a source of worry.

Back in elementary school, even when her peers ostracized her for being chubby, she remained cheerful, not letting it bother her. And now, she's talking about going on a diet?!

His darling daughter, bless her heart, was always so carefree, it must take something monumental to make her consider losing weight.

Duke's heart raced with concern.

Hearing him continue, Mamie realized he was about to spiral into conspiracy theories and quickly interjected, "I watched a documentary, okay? It said losing a bit of weight could be good for your health. Can't stay overweight forever, right? Just thought I'd give it a try..."

Duke frowned deeply, a documentary?

Something wasn't adding up.

He knew his daughter inside and out. Her greatest joy was savoring a good meal, followed closely by tinkering in the lab with all her beakers and test tubes.

In these years of Tik Tok trends and livestreams galore, she hardly ever scrolled through videos.

Let alone decide to diet because of one.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he blurted out, "You haven't fallen for someone, have you?"

Mamie's face turned beet red, thankful the phone hid her blush, "No, no! I'm here to study, not fall in love! Geez, Duke, I've got class soon, gonna be late. Gotta go, bye!"

With that, she hung up.

Duke stood there puzzled.

Such a strong reaction, yet she denies it?!

Hmph! His little girl was still young. If any guy dared to sweep her off her feet now, he'd have a word or two for him!

Mamie grabbed a quick breakfast and dashed to class.

Today was Professor Owen Reynolds' lecture.

When she arrived, Roseanne and Scales were already seated, with ten minutes to spare before class started.

"You're eating that little again?" Roseanne eyed her breakfast with concern.

Scales was frowning so hard, you'd think he could catch flies between his brows.

But he had been in a foul mood these past couple of days, no one knew who ticked him off.

In just a short while, Mamie had

finished a corn cob and was now et

staring at the lonely-looking

breakfast sandwich, reluctant to

takn

a bite.

Once it's eaten, it's gone.

Scales, expressionless, questioned, "Is it worth it?"

"Why wouldn't it be? I've lost five pounds, five! That's like "

A hefty chunk of bacon, enough to make ten heaping plates of bacon bits!

Scales sighed, "You're just torturing yourself."

With that, he ignored her and flipped through his book loudly.

Mamie was puzzled. Why was he so worked up about her dieting?

"Huh? What's this? Mamie, did you drop this?" Roseanne picked up a business card from under the seat.

Mamie glanced at it, about to speak, when Roseanne exclaimed, "Sammy's card? How did this end up here?"

"You know him, Roseanne?"

"Yeah. He's one of Professor

Kingswell University too,orkst

Reynolds team members, works at

I think as a

counselor?"

Mamie's eyes lit up, "What's he like?"

"Nice guy, polite, academically strong. Worked his way up step by step."

"Is he married?" Mamie felt it was crucial to know.

She had wanted to inquire but hadn't found the right moment or reliable source yet.

Roseanne shook her head, "Not that I know of."

Mamie barely breathed a sigh of relief when the next second—

"But he does have a girlfriend."

He's taken, then...

Mamie fell silent for a moment.

"Why do you ask?" Roseanne already had a hunch.

"Just... bumped into him at the mixer last week He was really nice, even helped me with my plate when it wasn't his fault. Just thought d

learn a bit more about him, that's all

IMS