One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 209

Audrey & Third Person

Audrey

“I… I don’t understand…”

A failure. The judges had voted majority ‘no’ on my project.

I had worked so hard on it-countless hours spent sitting up at night, perfecting every little detail. My mother, my mentor, had personally helped me up until her coma. Even she had insisted that it would be great.

And I’d thought that the judges loved it, based on their reactions when I had revealed the final piece.

“Can… Can I ask why I failed?” I asked, ignoring Mr. Black’s coal-like eyes on me.

Judge Daniels gave me a sympathetic look. “Personally, I did love your work, Audrey. I found your presentation to be an 8 out of 10. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and your passion shines through. But…”

“But your project lacks originality,” Judge Fuller cut in, gesturing to Mr. Black beside him “As Mr. Black pointed out, you have recycled your old designs. We expect more from a student of your caliber.”

“Yes,” Mr. Black added with a self-satisfied grin. “Judge Fuller and I agreed that your work is quite… repetitive.”

…I knew it. I knew he was going to do something like this.

“But I only used small scraps of fabric from my old pieces as a symbolic gesture,” I insisted. “The gown looks nothing like anything I have made before! Each element was carefully chosen to represent my journey, my transformation, and that’s it.”

Mr. Black’s smirk widened, and I felt a chill run down my spine. His eyes gleamed with malice as he spoke. “Is that so?” he asked, gesturing to the luna moth on the bodice of my dress. “Because from what I understand, you presented a very similar gown during your Brooks Designs internship last summer. I believe it was the same gown that got you into Paris Fashion Week, correct? Hardly original, wouldn’t you say, Mr. Fuller?”

Judge Fuller nodded. “Indeed. Audrey, I was intrigued by your project at first, I will admit.” He tapped on his phone for a few moments, then turned the screen toward me. “But Mr. Black revealed photos of your dress from last summer.”

I felt the blood drain from my face as I leaned forward and studied the picture.

The picture of the dress I had made last summer. The one with the luna moth on the bodice, only this one…

This one looked almost identical to the one on the mannequin now. As if the original image had been… doctored. The room seemed to spin around me as I struggled to find the right words to respond.

“This… This isn’t…”

a memory flashed through my mind-Mr. Black and…

clicked into place, and a surge of anger cut through my panic. My eyes narrowed as I realized what was happening; Mr. Black had somehow gotten photos of my gown from last year and had Photoshopped

Chapter 209

.85%

for my thesis would look like, but

the same thing now, aren’t you?” I accused, jabbing a finger in his direction. “You hate me. Mr. Black, because I got you in trouble last year. And now you’re trying to sabotage me again, just

The other judges gasped.

have been comical if the situation weren’t so dire. “Why, I would never!” he gasped. “To think that a respectable man such as myself would

I could feel my nails digging into my palms, but I

Klein,” Judge Fuller interrupted, standing from his chair.

her kind eyes now filled with disappointment. “I’m sorry. Audrey, but the decision is final. You must repeat your last semester and will

“But those pictures-”

you cannot accuse judges of foul play

malice. “Perhaps one extra semester will give you time to develop truly

felt tears stinging my eyes as the reality of the situation sank in. I wouldn’t graduate with my friends. All my hard work,

was a solution to this. Eyes widening, I stepped forward, reaching for Judge Fuller’s wrist. If only I could show him my memories, show him what had really happened last

if I

touch me!” Judge Fuller gasped, jumping back

“No, I wasn’t-”

said cautiously, rising from her own chair now. “One extra semester won’t be the end

“But…”

I’d burned him even though I

tight to even speak. Gathering my portfolio with trembling hands, I turned on my heel and stumbled out of the room, feeling as though the

a bouquet of vibrant flowers in his hands. His face lit up when

down the bond.

slipped from his grasp,

“Audrey-”

him. Not

word, I ran past him and Tina,