Chapter 4

Our first class that morning was a lecture in our department. I barely made it through the door before Gavin called out.

"Holly, hold on. I hear you brought in movers and cleared out your dorm room?

"What's gotten into you? First the drama with your boyfriend, now this with your roommates. After all these years in school, I'd expect you to handle yourself better.

"If this is how you're going to behave, don't bother coming to my class. And you're not coming into the lab this afternoon, either."

Just then, Dad texted.

[I told accounting to stop all future payments. I left this month's funding in place. I don't want this affecting the data you need for your thesis.

[But if anyone gives you trouble, tell me. I'll build you a new lab if that's what it takes.]

I glanced up from my phone, faintly amused. "Are you sure you want to keep me out of the lab this afternoon?"

My calm response seemed to throw Gavin for a moment. Then he brushed it off, apparently convinced that an ordinary student posed no threat to him.

He cleared his throat and returned to his stern, authoritative tone.

"You want to join us in the lab? Then apologize to Eugene and Cassidy, right here, and explain to the class why you were out of line. Show me you mean it, and we can put this behind us."

I looked at him with a faint smile. "Professor Turner, what's Cassidy done for you that you're willing to defend her cheating with my boyfriend?"

Gavin clearly didn't expect me to challenge him. He jabbed a finger at me, his hand trembling with anger.

"You..."

My classmates immediately closed in around me.

"You can't talk to Professor Turner like that!"

"She goes after someone else's boyfriend, and now she's mouthing off to her professor. What did you expect?"

"He's giving you a chance to fix this. You could at least appreciate it!"

Sitting through his lecture, surrounded by these people, no longer seemed worth my time. I turned and walked out without another word.

I wasn't worried about finishing my degree. Dad sat on the university's board of trustees, and a word from him would be enough to get me a new advisor.

Less than ten minutes later, Dad told me it was taken care of.

I arrived at the lab on time that afternoon. My new advisor wasn't there yet, and Eugene looked at me as though he knew all along I would come crawling back.

"We're about to start. Just apologize so we can get on with it."

Cassidy bit her lower lip, putting on a concerned expression.

"Holly, if it's too hard to say it yourself, I could...apologize for you. I don't mind if it means they'll let you stay."

Before I could answer, my classmates gathered around us.

"Cassidy, you're not the one who insulted Professor Turner. Why should you apologize?"

"Seriously, you're being way too nice to her."

Freya stepped forward and shoved me. "You're apologizing yourself, Holly, or you're not coming in."

The shove caught me off guard, and I hit the floor. As I tried to get up, Gavin pushed a ruler against my back, forcing me down.

"You have no respect for anyone, do you? This is your last chance. Apologize to everyone here, right now. Or I'll make sure the university expels you."

A deep, commanding voice came from the doorway.

"Let's see you try."