Chapter 77
77
+25 BONUS
“If you don’t want to fail your class , go study like you’re supposed instead of trying to bribe your way through!”
Shaun and I exchanged a surprised glance. We couldn’t believe someone had actually tried to bribe Mr. Holland. He was infamous across campus for being cold and unyielding–there wasn’t a single person who could “work connections” with him, let alone think they’d get away with it.
Who would even have the audacity to try? Was it one of the new students who enrolled while Mr. Holland was on his teaching hiatus?
Mr. Peter Holland, who Hurley University’s dean had recently convinced to come out of retirement and return to teaching, didn’t tolerate nonsense. Anyone smart enough to enroll here would know better than to try something so stupid.
Curious, I wondered who the poor soul was. When the young woman turned around, I froze.
Oh. Wow.
It was Lily, Jeremy’s girlfriend.
Well, that explained why I’d just run into her mom outside.
The moment Lily spotted me, her face went through a kaleidoscope of colors–shock, embarrassment, and panic, all in quick
succession.
Why? Because to my family, she’d always presented herself as the perfect student, practically a model of academic excellence. And now, here she was, caught trying to bribe her professor to avoid failing a class.
Mrs. Walker, spotting her, immediately jumped into action. “Lily! You need to teach Emilia a lesson. She’s completely ungrateful! I suggested she meet your cousin—you know, the one who’s a double Ph.D. from Amberton–and she actually had the nerve to say no!”
She turned to me, full of indignation. “We’re talking about a double Ph.D. from Amberton! And you , a divorced woman with just a bachelor’s degree, dare to turn him down? Do you even know how lucky you are that we’re willing to consider you? My nephew could marry any young woman he wanted, and we’re here giving you this chance ! ”
In her mind, her nephew was practically a gift to the world. She probably believed even a goddess descending from the heavens wouldn’t be good enough for him, let alone me.
Mr. Holland, who had been quietly observing this train wreck , finally seemed to snap out of his initial surprise at seeing me. He looked at me and let out a low, amused chuckle.
“Doesn’t it suck when someone wastes their time on romance instead of studying, only to end up with nothing in the end?”
Ouch.
Same old professor–sharp–tongued and merciless. His words hit me like a punch straight to the gut.
Lily, who was quick on her feet, noticed the slightly familiar way Mr. Holland addressed me. Her mind worked fast, and she immediately shifted gears.
The disdainful, superior attitude she’d always had toward me disappeared in an instant. Smiling sweetly , she grabbed my arm, leaning close like we were best friends. “Emi, you know Mr. Holland?“”
Oh, I saw right through her little act. She was clearly trying to leverage me to get out of trouble.
I calmly pulled my arm out of her grasp. “Whether I know him or not is none of your business . ”
Her face fell, her sweetness vanishing in the blink of an eye. “Emilia , I’m going to be your sister–in–law soon!”
I gave her a small, amused smile. “Soon means not now. And honestly, there’s no guarantee you’ll ever get there.”
Even if she did become my sister–in–law, what difference would it make? There was no way I’d help her suck up to Mr. Holland.
1/2
77
+25 BONUS
Lily’s face turned red with frustration , but before she could fire back, Mr. Holland waved her off with another curt dismissal. Not daring to argue with him, she grabbed her overpriced gift box and stomped back toward her mom, shooting me one last glare before storming off.
After they were gone, Mr. Holland gave me a quick, unimpressed off before turning and walking back inside. He didn’t close the door, though, which was his way of inviting us in.
Taking the hint, I followed him without hesitation. Shaun came in tight behind me.
What none of us noticed was that as we stepped inside, Lily quietly snapped a picture of us entering Mr. Holland’s house together.