Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 478



Roseanne gratefully accepted the offer. The temptation was too strong to resist.

"Thank you."

"Just call me Corley."

She fell silent.

By the time they arrived in Lumina City, it was already 2 p.m. Roseanne's family of three wasn't in the same train car as Corley. After exiting the station, Roseanne was about to use an app to call a ride when she noticed Corley standing nearby, tall and noticeable with his long legs. He approached Norris with a smile, "Mr. Cole, my car's just outside. Why don't I drive you all home?"

Norris hesitated, "Oh, that's not necessary, we can just call a cab."

"It's no trouble at all, it's on my way," Corley replied, taking the luggage and heading outside.

"Well, if you insist, Sullivan. Thank you."

Roseanne quietly closed the app and put her phone away.

In the car-

Corley was at the wheel, skillfully navigating, with Roseanne in the passenger seat and Madge and Norris in the back.

"Mr. Cole, is that copy of Empires at Dawn: The Origins of Modern Nations you're holding the 2003 reprint?" Corley asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Norris perked up, "You know about that book?"

"My grandfather was into history, and I've picked up a bit from him. If I remember right, later versions of Empires at Dawn: The Origins of Modern Nations had two historical units removed, and there was another revision before that?"

Norris was intrigued, "Yes, it's been revised three times!"

"The latest revision was the one you mentioned, ten years ago, then there was one in '04, but the very first one is unclear. I remember reading it as a kid when it had 36 historical units. The version I have now is pre-second revision, with 30 units, meaning there must have been another revision before."

"1996," Corley interjected.

Norris was taken aback, "What?"

"If there was another revision, it had to be in '96."

"Why so sure?" Norris asked, curious.

"I wasn't certain before, but since you mentioned a revision before '04, it must have been the edition my grand-uncle oversaw, right in '96."

Norris was genuinely surprised, "What was your grand-uncle's name?"

"Shipley Sullivan."

"Shipley is your grand-uncle?! I've heard of him! How could anyone not know such a renowned translator and scholar?"

As Corley maneuvered the car, his

gaze occasionally met Roseanne's

in the rearview mirror before

returning to Norris, "The pre-'96 editions are hard to come by these days. But, before my grand-uncle moved abroad, he left me at his rare books." to

"I'll check when I get back. Should be able to find it."

Though Norris was visibly excited, he asked, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

After all, these were treasures left by someone's grand-uncle. Why would he share them with him? Norris had his reservations.

Corley smirked, "No trouble at all. A book finding its way to someone who appreciates it is far more meaningful than just sitting on a shelf as a collectible."

"Heh, then I won't be shy. Thank you!"

Corley responded, "That's more like it."

After all, they were practically family now.

Hearing them talk about books, Madge glanced at her daughter in the front seat and nonchalantly asked, "Sounds like your family has quite the literary tradition, Sullivan.

What kind of books do you enjoy?" to

"We have a lot of essays and novels at home,

Mrs. Cole, I just

more thrillike something a bit finished your book Seven Days an et

couple of days ago. The ending... how should I put it? Unexpected, yet inevitable. It was quite a shock." to

Madge was surprised that he had actually read her book. "You knew Seven Days was mine?"