Page 37 of One Night With My Grumpy Professor Daddy

He leans back in his chair, studying me intently. Then leans forward defeatedly. “Very well, son. Since we can’t be going around in circles, and I trust your judgment,” he pulls out some papers from beneath a pile of books. “I’ll need you to fill out the resignation form.” I nod and retrieve the paperwork from my briefcase. My mind races with thoughts of Ava. I can’t let our sexual relationship jeopardize her future. However, with my resignation, it should no longer be an issue. Just as I’m about to sign my name at the bottom, Dean Walter interrupts me.

“That reminds me. Did you tell Ava Miller about your resignation?” I glance up, my curiosity piqued. “I don’t think I’ve told anyone. Why?” He leans forward, folding his hands on his desk. “Well, she asked to be reassigned to a new project supervisor.” My heart skips a beat. Ava’s quitting me? I set my pen down, unable to hide my concern. “Did she give a reason why?”

“It seems you’re not the only one who states personal reasons when making their decisions. I’m not privy to the details,” he shrugs, “but I wanted to inform you since you were overseeing her work.”

What the hell is going on with Ava?

Chapter twenty-one

Ava

One moment, I’m fine, scanning the crowd and notice Drake, and as if my night couldn’t get any more bizarre, seconds later, he’s with my family’s arch nemesis, and I’m left shaken to the core, unraveling emotions I thought were buried years ago.

Daniel Armstrong, standing amidst the sophisticated gathering as if he belongs in this world of power and privilege. Daniel Strong, the man who’s haunted my dreams and fueled my relentless pursuit of redemption, is here. It’s as if fate is toying with me in a twisted tapestry of connections.

But the turmoil in my chest is nothing compared to the feeling of realizing the truth. My heart races and my breath catches in my throat as I make the connection. Daniel Armstrong is Drake’s father— the man whose actions brought down my family’s law firm, the man who shattered our lives, is standing just feet away. As the puzzle pieces fall painfully into place, the clarity is too much to bear. I stand, a silent observer of the event, my gaze fixed on Daniel Armstrong. How could he be so nonchalant, so detached from all the destruction he’s caused?

Shock and disbelief hit me like a tidal wave like the ground under my feet shifted, and I’m struggling to find my balance.

“Hello, beautiful.” A voice says behind me, just in time. The interruption brings me back to reality, I pull myself together. George smiles, his blue eyes bring a momentary sense of relief. I mutter a response.

“Hello, George.” I fail at sounding OK, and his eyebrows crease in worry.

“Are you OK?”

“I am. It’s just being in these crowds, not my cup of tea, you know.

“Tell me about it,” he replies, launching into conversation. I don’t know if he’s trying to distract me or if he really can’t see that I’m falling apart. Disgusted, I catch eyes with Drake, his gaze intensifying as he cuts through the crowd. Strolling up the stairs, he says, “Ava, George, looks like you two are having a good time.” My body stiffens, and I cringe, ignoring his greeting. George walks away, obviously uncomfortable. Drake stares at me, confused, and even though I wasn’t ready to hear him say it, there was a part of me that already knew Daniel Armstrong, aka Daniel Strong, is Drake’s father. I can’t believe the man who’s ruined my family is related to the man standing right in front of me. Drake’s face creases, but I look away and say.

“I can’t believe this.”

“Wait, I was going to tell you about it.”

I’m filled with hurt, betrayal and pain so deep it bubbles to the surface. How can he stand there and say he was going to tell me?

“Of course you were,” I spit out. Bitterness, anger, and rage consume me. Tears blur my vision, and I turn to walk away. Desperate to hide my emotions, I take a deep, shaky breath, turn and walk briskly through the crowd without stopping— trying to get as far from him as I can. My heart’s throbbing with a pain I’ve never felt before, and I can’t help but second-guess every damn choice I’ve ever made. I can’t breathe. Desperation kicks me into high gear, and I push through the swanky venue, past all the chatty guests, until I hit the sweet release of the parking lot.

Without much grip on consciousness, I dial Daphne’s number. “Hey hey heyyyyyy,” she starts.

“Come…come get me,” I say. My breaths come in rapid, shallow bursts, and my vision blurs with tears.

“I’m five minutes away,” she replies rapidly.

Five minutes.

I stand there waiting for what seems to be the longest moment of my life, and then my girl appears like a lifeline amidst the chaos. Daphne rushes over, concern etched on her face as she takes in my distressed state.

“Ava, what’s wrong? You’re shaking,” she says in a soothing tone. I cling to her, my fingers trembling as I try to find my voice. “Daphne, I... I saw him. Daniel Armstrong is here, at this party.”

“What?”… her eyes widen because she gets the significance.

“Ava…girl, slow down — take a deep breath…relax, or you’re gonna have a panic attack.” Following her guidance, I try to regain control over my racing heart. She starts driving and puts down the windows. The cool air fills my lungs, gradually steadying my breathing. Once the panic subsides, I finally find the words to explain. “Daphne, Daniel Armstrong... he’s Drake’s father. Her expression shifts from concern to disbelief. “Are you sure, Ava?”

I nod, my voice trembling. “I saw them together. Drake and his father. And it all clicked. The Armstrongs, the law firm scandal, everything.” Daphne’s eyes narrow, “Oh my God…Ava, I’m so sorry. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I can’t think about that right now,” I say, gazing out the window. How can I be with someone whose family’s responsible for my family’s downfall?

“Ava…how did you miss that? Aren’t their last names the same?”

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