Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 884

The advisor was stunned into silence for a full three seconds.

It wasn’t until Owen repeated his question that she belatedly replied, “Oh, R-Roseanne… she took a personal day yesterday.”

“How long is she taking off? Did she say what for?”

“She just said she had something to do, but didn’t specify. I figured, what could she possibly be up to? Besides working in the lab or writing papers. Her grades are all excellent, and she’s taken a few days off before, so I didn’t press for details…”

“Has something happened?” the advisor asked cautiously.

Owen remained silent.

“Is there anything else unusual? For example, involving Carlson Smith?”

The advisor replied, “You mean Carlson Smith, the third-year graduate student?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not his advisor, so I don’t know the specifics, but if you need, I can ask around for you.”

“…Yes, please. I’d appreciate that.”

“Of course, of course.”

Five minutes later, the advisor called back.

“Professor Reynolds, it seems there is something unusual going on with Carlson Smith.”

“What is it?”

“He hasn’t returned to campus since the semester started. His advisor hasn’t been able to reach him either. Oh, and I forgot to mention one thing.”

“What?”

“The day Roseanne requested time off, Mamie and Scales also requested time off, one after the other.”

“Can you find Carlson Smith’s home address?”

“His advisor said his records are incomplete. All they know is that he’s from Springfield Province.”

Springfield…

That confirmed it.

After hanging up, Owen Reynolds immediately dialed the head of the registrar’s office.

The man was already asleep and was just as surprised to receive the call as the advisor had been.

“You want to look up Carlson Smith’s address in his file?!”

“Yes.”

“But… it’s so late, the office is closed. Perhaps tomorrow we can have them…”

“Tomorrow is too late. It has to be now.”

“Well…” The man on the other end was clearly hesitant.

He was clearly planning to use his connections to investigate.

“Alright,” Owen agreed.

Half an hour later, Corley arrived.

Owen opened the door and let him in.

Corley didn’t stand on ceremony, asking for a glass of water the moment he stepped inside.

As Owen poured him one, he gestured to Corley’s feet. “Either take off your shoes or put on these covers.”

Corley stared at him.

In the end, he chose the shoe covers.

“Here’s your water.”

“…Thanks.”

Then, the two men sat in silence.

About twenty minutes later, Corley’s phone rang. “Okay, go ahead…”