?


    Just after Edna got the boot, she watched, powerless, as not one, but two of herbs were pped with notices for mandatory renovations. It felt like the sky was falling.


    "Edna, what do we do now?" Sybil asked, paning her voice as she reached for Edna.


    ter was freaking out, scratching his head like a monkey on speed.


    Finals were just around the corner, and with thebs in this state, their projects were on hold.


    No progress meant nothing to show for their semester work. What were they supposed to present?


    This wasn''t just about grades; it could mean the difference between graduating or not.


    Hertha looked equally stunned.


    But deep down, everyone knew this was Roseanne and her crew''s doing.


    Hadn''t they done something simr to them before?


    It was a case of what goes aroundes around.


    Ifints could be weaponized, well, they just got a taste of their own medicine.


    Among them, Grace was the only one unfazed.


    She wasn''t into research or academics. Getting into grad school was more about padding her resume and securing a good job or a better match for marriage.


    Whether theb was operational or the project was affected didn''t really matter to her.


    Especially now that she had Murray...


    Securing him meant she wouldn''t have to worry about the future.


    ter vented, "They say it''s for renovations, but who knows how long that''ll take? Look at Roseanne''sb; it''s been almost two months and they''re still not cleared. We can''t just start our ownb, can we?"


    Starting their ownb...


    Edna''s eyes sparkled at the idea, but Hertha felt a chill down her spine.


    Laughing nervously, she said, "Do you thinkbs grow on trees? Money is one thing, but finding a location and getting the permits is the real headache. Who''s got the connections for that? ter, do you? What about you, Sybil?"


    ter grumbled, "I was just saying. No need to bite my head off."


    Sybil, trying to avoid any confrontation, pretended to be invisible.


    Edna dropped the idea of starting a newb.


    Hertha breathed a sigh of relief.


    Did they think she was a fool?


    ne


    Ignoring the costs, even if she had the funds, she wasn''t about to waste


    tha venture that w ther directly ste


    Roseanne''sb was hers and hers alone.


    Belongs


    Carlson seemed to have anticipated this day, his demeanor calm.


    The only regret was the halted progress on their projects.


    But he had been grinding for years. This could be a chance to take a breather and contemte his next move.


    Meanwhile, in the administration building, the principal''s office was abuzz with the news.


    When Hancock heard about the report, he was taken aback. "A report? Who did it?"


    The secretary shrugged. "Hard to say."


    It wasn''t a matter of not knowing, but rather not willing to disclose.


    Hancock rushed to see Sinir Nelson.


    "Sinir! Edna''sb has been reported!"


    Sinir Nelson, putting down his newspaper, gave him a nce. "Yeah."


    "You knew?"


    "Got a call from the fire department about half an hour ago."


    "Before it happened? They informed you?"


    Sinir nodded. "Yeah."


    "And you didn''t stop it?"


    "Why should I? Can I stop this one and every other that follows? The hotline''s there for a reason.


    swnovel.


    Anyone''s entitled to make a report."


    "But you know this is just retaliation. We shouldn''t endorse this, should we?"


    Sinir Nelson sighed. "Retaliation?


    The dictionary defines it as


    ne


    deliberately hitting back at someone who''s wronged you. Sure, Edna wasn''t innocent to begin with, and although Roseanne''s approach isn''t the most noble, it''s not unjustified either."