Page 76 of Forbidden Lessons

I’m low-key surprised that more students didn’t refuse to participate. That last bit with the envelopes? God, what I wouldn’t take to look inside some of those.

Threaten to read the contents of their envelopes.

“You guys have at least gotten the gist of Zimbardo’s experiment by now, right? How normal people can become sadistic assholes when they’re given some authority. Even when everyone involved knows it’s bullshit?”

Some murmurs, but most of the class is on their phone or talking with the person next to them.

“Look, I’m in charge until the professor gets here.” I pick up the stack of envelopes and slap them against my palm. “Icouldstart the lecture. But who knows when I’ll have this much power again?”

A few more students perk up at this, some frowning, others smiling like they know what’s coming.

Haven is staring at me like she’s just spent three years building a house of cards, and I’m holding a flame thrower.

“So how about we play a few rounds of Survivor?”

There’s absolute silence as I shuffle the envelopes. I take out three and put them face down on the desk.

“I’ll open an envelope or two, and you guys get to vote which secret is the lamest.”

Students glance at each other like they’re looking for permission to be assholes.

Guess they need a little incentive.

“I’ll keep it anonymous. But if you don’t vote, it’ll be your envelope next, and everyone’s gonna know your name.”

“That stuff’s private!” the girl with the death wish yells.

“The fuck do you care?” I pull out her envelope, waving it around. “You said you didn’t do the assignment, so I’m pretty sure these are blank.”

She scowls at me.

“Right! First envelope.” I tear open Anthony and Linda’s envelope and take out their slips, giving them a quick scan. “Damn, okay.”

I hold up a finger. “Let me see what we’re working with here.”

There’s a collective groan as I open the second envelope and take out those papers.

I laugh, pressing a hand to my chest. “Shit, guys. You took this assignment way too serious.”

No laughter now. In fact, a few students are fidgeting with their hair, their clothes, their books, their pens. Nervous as hell, and with every right to be.

Especially Haven and Melissa.

And wow, plot twist…I somehow randomly chose their envelope too.

My jaw clenches when I read what’s on their slips of paper. Each paper so far has had the student’s names written on. No wonder Haven and Melissa are such good friends. They’re practically peas in a fucking pod.

Is it true, though? I mean, nowhere in the assignment did it say the secrets have to be real. Not as if Rooke was going to fact-check. This whole thing is about the ethical and psychological hoops his students have to jump through. The lines they have to cross. Although, fuck, looks like everyone in this class is a motherfucking delinquent.

I have to force myself to look up and flash the class a smile. “Fuck. That’s a doozy. You know what? Round of applause, you ruthless motherfuckers? I see some serious corporate ladder climbing in your futures.”

There’s some scattered applause, but most of the guys just look grateful that I’m not going through with my threat.

Guess that means I’ve done my part. Got everyone to sweat in their seats and question their life choices.

Time to laugh it off, right?

Tell them to read from their books until Rooke arrives.

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