Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 396

"Finally done!" Mamie exclaimed, closing her laptop with a sense of relief.

Beside her, an empty collection of soda cans bore witness to her long night.

Scales chimed in, "Let's go out. The meal's on me."

Roseanne and Mamie didn't hesitate to take up his offer.

After all, they had many more days of collaboration ahead, plenty of time for reciprocation.

Inside the steakhouse—

The place was lit by dazzling chandeliers, with the soft melodies of a piano playing in the background.

"Do you have a reservation?" the host asked.

"I booked a table yesterday," Scales responded, pulling up his reservation on his phone.

Soon, they were led to their table.

Roseanne had been here before and knew that although this place was pricier than most, the quality of food and service was unmatched.

Taking her seat, Mamie couldn't help but look around curiously, touching the fine linen and murmuring, "This is so different from back home…"

She then started snapping pictures with her phone.

Noticing the puzzled looks from her friends, she laughed awkwardly, "I'm sending these to Duke—oh, that's my dad. He's never seen a place like this before."

She then focused on her photography.

Scales gazed at her with a mix of sympathy and warmth.

So, her family situation was… like that.

Trying not to jump to conclusions, he cautiously asked, "What does your dad do?"

Mamie paused, a reaction that Scales and Roseanne interpreted as reluctance.

"If it's not something you're comfortable sharing…" he trailed off, giving her an out.

Mamie hesitated before replying, "Um… my mom's a homemaker, doesn't work. And my dad, well, he doesn't have a traditional job either. He looks after our apartment building, kind of like a janitor, I guess. And since we live near the coast, they sometimes go fishing to make a little extra. You guys should come over sometime; the fresh shrimp is amazing!"

Hearing her story painted a clear picture for Roseanne and Scales of Mamie's background.

"We're full, you go ahead," Roseanne smiled.

Mamie grinned, "If you insist!"

Scales reassured her, "And if it's not enough, we can order more."

Mamie nodded, smiling, then asked, "So, what do your parents do?"

Roseanne shared openly, "My dad's a teacher, and my mom's a novelist."

"Wow—a novelist! That sounds amazing!" Mamie's eyes shone with curiosity and admiration.

Both Roseanne and Scales felt a pang of sympathy.

"And you, Caley?" Mamie asked, her eyes filled with genuine interest.

In the face of such innocence, Scales didn't even mind the nickname. "My parents are civil servants."

Mamie was visibly impressed, repeating, "That's so nice, so nice…"