Page 37 of Arrogant Professor

“Franklin,” I said, loud enough for Elle to hear in the living room. The faint whisper of her footsteps indicated she had tiptoed out of sight to the bedroom. “I was just about to stop by your office.”

“We need to chat, Vincent,” he replied.

A pit of dread sat like a stone in my stomach. I stepped aside, gesturing for Wilcox to come in.

“Can I get you something to drink?” I offered, heading for the kitchen.

Wilcox held up his hand and moved no further than the entryway.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t a social call. I’ll get right to the point.”

He reached inside his coat and retrieved a brown folder, pulling out half a dozen pictures. When he passed them to me, I fought to take a breath, but no air could reach my tight lungs.

Elle and I were in the courtyard, half hidden by autumn foliage. That kiss was damning, our bodies flush together, Elle’s arms draped around my shoulders indicating just how casual we were with each other.

“Courtesy of Helene Roche,” Wilcox said. “She’s furious, Vincent, and I can’t say that I blame her. No words can express how disappointed I am with you. Having a sexual relationship with a student is wildly inappropriate and breaks university rules.”

I shoved the pictures into his chest.

“Taking bribes is also against university rules.”

Wilcox’s face turned tomato red as he blustered.

“I beg your pardon. I did no such thing.”

Now that I had nothing to lose, I felt reckless and I plowed on.

“You’re allowing Giselle’s father to have complete access to her classes and her grades. Did she consent to that?”

Wilcox jammed the pictures back into the folder.

“Well, no, but Mr. Roche has provided considerable financial support to this school since his daughter enrolled.”

“He’s controlling that girl, Franklin. She can’t do a goddamn thing without her father sabotaging it, so she does his bidding, and you’re making excuses for him.”

Wilcox waved me off with irritation.

“That is a personal family matter which is none of our business.”

I stepped closer, jabbing a finger in his chest.

“You are the Dean of this school. It’s your responsibility to ensure the students are protected.”

His eyes flashed.

“Exactly. That’s why you’re fired.”

Hearing those fateful words felt like a splash of cold water in my face. I rocked back on my heels and gritted my teeth. I knew there was a danger of this the moment I got involved with Elle.

Several agonizing seconds of silence filled the entryway.

“Helene Roche would like you to know,” Wilcox added. “That she will make sure you never work in another school again.”

My eyes slipped closed. That was the killing blow, right to the jugular. If I had been up against Wilcox alone, it would have been a fair fight. We both broke rules and we needed to step down.

With the Roche wealth on his side, Wilcox was protected while I was left to hang.

“Get out,” I said, my voice low and rough.

---