Page 63 of My Forbidden Professor

“It was in my first month working as a professor. An old girlfriend came to finish her degree and, while consensual, still violated some pretty strict ethical codes between faculty and students. It only took a couple of weeks for us both to know we’d outgrown each other and we ended things on agreeable terms, but not before Marcus stumbled on us together. And he’s used that as leverage ever since to ensure my compliance and discretion. Sotheby would name her in this scandal if I didn’t do what he wanted and I couldn’t do that to her.”

“Jesus,” Tristan mutters, more to himself than anyone as he drags a hand down his sculptured jawline. Even he seems momentarily taken aback by the nature of my confession.

But it’s David’s reaction I’m focused on, watching carefully as the muscle feathers in his stubbled jaw while he processes the truth. Finally, he lets out a low, humorless bark of what might be wry laughter. “I see. You know, I’m sick of people using other people based on genuine relationships that everyone is entitled to experience.”

His dark gaze roams to his young wife. She smiles under his heated gaze. If anyone can understand complex relationships and unjust opinions, I guess it’s them. Not everything is as it seems on the surface. If people dug deeper, or had the inclination to understand better, they’d soon realize that relationships are personal, and no one else’s business.

For the first time in forever, I don’t feel the usual shame and self-loathing lacerating me. Instead, the wound has been cauterized.

“Well, your rat bastard dean certainly didn’t lack for ambition, did he?” Tristan says, shaking his head in a mixture of disgust and incredulity. “Squeezing someone’s personal life to facilitate his own indiscretions...it’s almost impressive in a really fucked up way.”

“I wish I could say that’s the extent of it,” I say into the weighted pause. “But unfortunately, there’s one more particularly egregious violation that he’s asking for.”

Squaring my shoulders, I hold David’s stare without flinching. If nothing else, he deserves to know this. “Since the photos from your wedding ended up on the socials, Steph’s identity at the university has been revealed. Marcus doesn’t know anything about us,” I hasten to add. “But he knows Steph is my student. He’s ordered me to get to know her, to ultimately get you to donate more. More donations. More money for him.”

“I’d say that gives us more than enough impetus to go scorched-earth on the miserable bastard, wouldn’t you agree?” Tristan drawls in that signature smoky timbre, leaning back and steepling his fingers in a distinctly unruffled display.

David lets out a chuckle, shaking his head as he meets Tristan’s resolute stare. “You’re goddamn right it does,” he growls, the words landing with blistering finality. “That smug piece of shit went too far when he even had the passing thought to use my little girl.”

We work late into the night, a whirlwind of intense strategizing and information sharing. I sit in awed silence for long stretches, simply trying to absorb the sheer intellect and capability arrayed around me.

David is an unstoppable force, slicing through complexities with that same ruthless pragmatism that’s allowed him to build an empire. Beside him, Tristan matches his razor-sharp focus with an almost preternatural calm, like he’s several galaxies ahead and merely waiting for the rest of us to catch up.

Adeline, also clearly brightly intelligent, floats between offering insight and simply being a reassuring presence for Steph, the two of them orbiting in a sisterly bond. Lily prowls the periphery, eyes blazing with the same protective ferocity I witnessed that first day in the lobby—utterly devoted to Steph’s wellbeing.

We’re doing this for her.

I’m in this until the bitter end so she can finally emerge into the light she was always destined for.

“Okay, we’ve got the broad strokes for dealing with Marcus handled,” Tristan states at one point, rubbing at his chiseled jaw as he leans back to survey the rest of us with that trademark unreadable expression.

I nod tightly, the first real seed of what might be cautious optimism blooming in my chest. Because utilizing my intimate knowledge of the dean’s finances to essentially turn his own greed back on him is diabolically elegant in its simplicity. He won’t say no to the ‘donation’ David will be ‘giving’ to the university. From there, all I have to do is funnel the money into dummy accounts that I’ll have full control over. Then seed it with just enough fingerprints and digital breadcrumbs to connect Marcus to the crime. The evidence we gather through this plan will add to recordings I’ve kept over the years of some of my discussions with Marcus. Hopefully, it will add up to a solid case against him and faith in him as a dean. He might name me in a scandal with Emily, but after we’ve finished with him, whatever he says won’t be worth dirt.

That smug bastard has no idea what’s about to rain down on him. And I can’t wait to be a first-hand witness to the moment that perma-sneer finally gets wiped off his face once and for all.

“The real trick is to get those photos off Daniel. Before he releases them online. He’s already followed through on his threat with the wedding photos. He’s proven he’s capable of that step. A man like that is vindictive enough to do the worst when he doesn’t get his way. He’s going to have to think he’s getting away with everything and will continue to do so,” David says, obsidian gaze finding mine. “And that’s going to depend on you, Professor.”

My stomach churns with acidic dread. “If I knew of a way, I’d have already done it.”

“You’re probably the only way, but it’s going to rely on your acting skills,” David says. “And it won’t be pleasant.”

I give a tight nod and push past the knot forming in my gut. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. “I’m ready. There’s no bridge I won’t burn to stop him.”

A flicker of something crosses David’s face, but I’m not sure if its respect or the fact he doesn’t know me well enough yet to understand I will do anything to protect his daughter.

Beside me, Steph stiffens almost imperceptibly. “You don’t have to do this if it makes you uncomfortable, Jacob. We’ll think of another way.”

I brush a kiss against her cheek, letting the scent and warmth of her surround me. “We’re in this together. No more going it alone. I’ll do anything. Anything to fix this for you.”

Pulling back, I hold her stare, letting her see my conviction.

Her breath escapes in a shuddering rush, lips parting slightly as she drinks in whatever it is on my face.

Giving a slow nod, Steph doesn’t look away. “I know, Jacob. Whatever it is, however you have to do it. I know you will. For me.”

I lean in and kiss her. I don’t care who’s watching. Let them see how much she means to me. I won’t shy away from others’ opinions, just like none of the people in this room have.

When we break apart, I turn to face everyone. Adeline’s mouth twitches and her eyes are bright as they dance from me to Steph. Lily looks smug as she sits back and crosses one leg over the other. Tristan’s mouth holds a smirk, as though he’s waiting to get Steph alone to rib her, and David’s expression reflects acceptance, with a hint of fatherly discomfort.

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