Chapter 79 Audrey

The sound of pen scratching on paper was all that filled the silence of my dorm room. With a red pen in hand, I carefully worked through the enormous stack of papers that Professor Stevens had asked me to grade. Even though it was a lot of work, it kept my mind off of other problems-mainly the matter of finding a mentor for my thesis-which was a good thing.

Suddenly, the sound of a soft ping from my laptop cut through the silence. I glanced over at the screen with a sigh. expecting another rejection email or perhaps sonte more instructions from Professor Stevens. Instead. I felt my heart leap into my throat as soon as I saw the sender's last name: Black.

With trembling fingers. I clicked to open the message. My eyes widened as I read its contents:

"Dear Miss Thatcher,

1 hope this email finds you well. Upon further reflection, I believe I may have been hasty in my initial assessment of your qualifications. I would like to extend an invitation for you to return for a second interview at your earliest convenience. Please let me know if you are available to discuss this opportunity further.

Best regards. Atticus Black"

I stared at the screen for a few long moments, utterly dumbfounded by his letter. Upon further reflection, he had said.... What sort of game was he playing at? Just a couple of days ago, he had made it clear that I was only valuable to him as a potential bedmate and that if I wanted to work with him, I would need to sleep with him first.

Now he wanted me back for another interview?

For a moment, I just stared at the screen, wondering what to do. The idea of accepting his offer was tempting. I had to admit. But ultimately, I couldn't bring myself to do it. "As if," I muttered as I clicked and dragged the email to my trash folder without any intention of responding.

There was no way I was going to subject myself to his leering gaze and inappropriate comments again, no matter how badly I needed a mentor for my thesis. I didn't want to be mentored by someone who treated humans like meat. I'd find someone else eventually-anyone but him.

But as I tried to return my focus to grading, a nagging thought kept pulling at my attention. Why would he suddenly want me back if I had made it crystal clear that I wasn't going to sleep with him? He had seemed so certain that the only way he would even consider a human such as myself was if I slept with him.

So why the sudden change of heart?

with Edwin after I had fallen asleep in his class yesterday. The concern in his eyes, the way he had pressed me for

I said those words, I knew it wasn't true. Of course Edwin would intervene if he thought something was wrong. It

I was on my feet

standing outside his office. Smoothing down

his mu**ed voice

concentration as he studied some papers. He

from Mr. Black asking me to come back for another interview," I said, placing my hands on my hips. I don't

You?

faintest look of guilt creeping into his eyes. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "I may have... had a conversation with him,

my mouth hanging open. "What

my shares out of his

"I told you that it was fine. Why did you

not expecting my outburst, but I didn't back down. Even when

up, his

had to step in because I knew there was more to the story, he replied c**lly, pressing his fingers into the surface of his desk,

crossed my arms, looking away. "It doesn't matter.

you're falling asleep in my class and lying about why," Edwin

potential mentors," I said-another half-truth, conveniently leaving out the part where I was also unable to sleep due to

lips, shooting me a disbelieving look. Although when he spoke, his voice had softened slightly. "Well, I suspect that there's more going on here than you're telling me. If

I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would

I stay out of it when my student is falling asleep in my class?" Edwin asked in an exasperated tone

that moment, something in me snapped. I had heard enough about being his student, and this was the last straw. "Oh, cut the

gray eyes studying me intently for several long seconds. The tension in the room was palpable as I waited for his

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