4. Love Obsession

Still inside Professor Charles' office.

The room was quiet, with only the soft hum of the air conditioner and the ticking of the clock on the wall. A tall window allowed the twilight light to seep in, creating warm shadows in every corner of the lecturer's office, which was filled with bookshelves, folders, and stacks of papers.

Professor Charles sat leaning back on the sofa, his tie hanging loosely around his neck. In front of him, Cassie, his student, smiled faintly while touching the professor's hand. Cassie's long hair was loose, her cheeks flushed, whether from smiling or something else.

"You know, Prof, I never imagined a professor could be this relaxed," Cassie said, tilting her head playfully.

Professor Charles chuckled softly. "He-he-he. And I never imagined a student as smart as you could be so ... persuasive."

Cassie moved closer, almost touching her nose to the middle-aged man's face. "In that case, let's just say we're exploring academics in another form."

The atmosphere began to heat up when suddenly there was a loud knock on the door. Followed by a voice that Charles recognized very well.

"Professor Charles? It's me, Monica. Can I come in for a moment?"

Cassie's eyes widened immediately. "Oh my God! That's Prof. Monica!" she whispered in panic.

Charles stood up spontaneously. "Quick! Hide!"

Without thinking, Cassie jumped up and rushed to hide under the large wooden desk in the corner of the room. Her breath was held, her body pressed against the legs of the desk, trying not to make the slightest sound. Her hair hung down to the floor, but was covered by the shadow of the desk.

Meanwhile, Charles straightened his tie, combed his hair with his hands, and patted his wrinkled pants and shirt. He glanced briefly at the desk where Cassie was hiding and took a deep breath.

With a calm step, he opened the door. "Please come in, Professor Monica."

Monica, a short-haired woman with a maroon blazer and a folder in her hand, entered with a friendly smile. "Sorry to bother your afternoon, Charles. But I need to hand over the new student report."

As soon as she entered, Monica's eyes swept across the room. She saw the slightly messy sofa, the tilted cushions, and two cups that were still warm.

"Hmm ..." Monica muttered softly, then gave Charles a meaningful look.

"You looked busy just now. Did I come at the wrong time?"

Professor Charles smiled stiffly. "No. I was just resting a bit."

Professor Monica approached and handed over the report folder. "Here's a complete list of guidance students for next semester. Oh yes, and I slipped in the CV of a visiting lecturer from Germany. But I think you're more interested in local things, right?"

Professor Monica's tone of voice sounded teasing. She sat on the sofa, right where Cassie had been sitting before, and crossed her legs. Her eyes sharply observed Charles' every reaction.

"I think you can choose a special guidance, can't you?" Monica added, then touched her finger to Charles' arm subtly.

Professor Charles immediately straightened up, his expression becoming tense. "Monica, please. Can we talk professionally?"

Monica raised an eyebrow. "Professional? Come on, Charles. How long have we known each other? I know you're not the type of man who just sits and reads journals all night."

Professor Charles brushed her hand away slowly but firmly. "You're going too far, Prof. Monica. I'm not comfortable with the way you're talking."

From behind the desk, Cassie held her breath, her face flushed with fear of being discovered and disbelief at hearing Professor Charles' cold tone towards the woman who clearly liked him.

Monica looked at Charles in annoyance. "You know I've liked you for a long time, Charles. But you always stay away. Now I understand, maybe it's because there's someone else, right?"

Professor Charles turned his head, this time with narrowed eyes. "Don't make assumptions, Monica. And please, I ask you to mind your manners in my office!"

Professor Monica stood up, her expression changing to disappointment. "Alright. If that's what you want. But remember Charles, not every opportunity will come twice."

Professor Monica walked towards the door, but before leaving, she glanced around the room again, then smiled cynically. "And next time, make sure you tidy up your sofa more neatly!" The door closed.

Professor Charles sighed heavily, then immediately locked the door. He turned around and walked towards the desk, then looked down.

"Cassie. You can come out now."

Cassie slowly crawled out, her hair disheveled, her knees sore from being hunched over for too long.

"For God's sake, I almost died of fright!" she said while standing and shaking out her short skirt.

Professor Charles smiled wryly. "You shouldn't have been here in the first place."

Cassie looked up, her eyes flashing. "But you didn't reject my presence, did you, Prof?"

"Not at all!" After saying that, Charles kissed Cassie's lips again very greedily. Likewise, the girl was also carried away in the lecturer's game that was so tempting.

Then the two smiled at each other. Professor Charles sighed, then reached for his coffee glass and sipped. "Cassie, this is all too complicated."

Cassie approached, standing in front of her lecturer. "You don't need to explain anything. I know this is just a fleeting moment."

"Hey, don't think like that. Cassie, maybe this is wrong. But honestly, I'm very attracted to you. I don't know why," Charles said bravely.

"I feel the same way, Prof. This seems crazy. You are my lecturer. But I like you!" Cassie also revealed her feelings.

Charles looked at his student. "But we still have to be careful. If other people know, especially Monica, it could ruin both of our careers."

Cassie smiled wryly. "Don't worry, Prof. This secret is safe with me."

They stared at each other for a few seconds, then Cassie took her bag and walked towards the door. Before unlocking it, she turned her head and said softly, "I don't regret all that we've done, Prof."

Charles didn't answer, only watching Cassie's back until the girl disappeared behind the door. He then sat back on his sofa, this time alone, and felt his hair, which looked messy.

"The academic world is indeed full of puzzles," he muttered softly.

The evening sky began to darken as Cassie stepped out of the campus gate. The cold London air hit her face, but she continued to walk calmly while tightening her long jacket. A small smile curved on her lips, still remembering her hot and mysterious conversation with Professor Charles in the lecturer's room.

But from a distance, someone watched Cassie's every step with anger.

Alan. The tall man with the dark leather jacket stood on the corner of the street, leaning his back against a lamppost. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched.

The man watched Cassie pass through the campus gate without knowing she was being watched.

"How dare you reject me! Even though it's clear that I love you so much, Cassie!" Alan growled softly while clenching his fists.

His mind was filled with revenge. Alan felt that his pride had been trampled on by Cassie, the girl he used to think would be easily obtained by him.

But it seems, Alan has a good plan at the moment. "If Cassie thinks she can play around, I will teach her a lesson she won't forget!" he said with a cold grin.

In a luxurious penthouse in the center of London, Professor Charles was talking seriously on the phone while standing on the balcony, looking at the city from above.

"Blake, starting today, watch Cassie. Make sure she's safe, without making her feel watched," Charles said in a firm tone.

At the other end, a heavy male voice answered, "Ready, Mr. Charles. I'm already on location. I will make sure no threat gets close to her."

Charles nodded even though Blake couldn't see him. "Alan is moving. I don't want Cassie to get hurt because of the slightest mistake."

"Understood, Sir."

Charles hung up the phone, then massaged his temples. Behind his status as a humble lecturer at that famous campus, not many people knew that he was the real owner of the university.

And more than that, Charles was a successful businessman who was on the list of the hundred most influential business figures in England.

But for him, the world of education was a calling. Charles chose to disguise himself as an ordinary lecturer in order to touch the lives of young people up close, without being covered by an image of luxury and power.

In the living room, an old woman sat in a rocking chair, knitting wool. Her hair was completely white, and her eyes were warm. She was Grandma Evelyn, Charles' grandmother, his only living family.

Seeing her grandson come back into the living room, Grandma Evelyn smiled gently. "You look tense, Charles. What's wrong?"

Charles sat in front of her, looking at his grandmother with respect. "I was just thinking about someone, Grandma. A student. She's very different."

Grandma Evelyn raised her eyebrows, interested. "Different how? Are you falling in love with her?"

Charles was silent for a moment, then answered softly, "Maybe. But this seems very complicated, Grandma. I'm her lecturer. And I have too many secrets."

Grandma Evelyn sighed deeply and grasped her grandson's hand. "My Dear, life is always full of secrets. But true love cannot be hidden forever. If you feel she is worthy, then protect her. Not with your power or money, but with your heart."

Charles looked down. "I've assigned Blake to watch her. There's someone from campus named Alan. He's very dangerous."

Grandma Evelyn nodded. "Then do what you need to do. But don't ignore the voice of your heart. The world may know you as a successful businessman, but Grandma knows your soul is still a caring educator."

Charles smiled faintly. "Thank you, Grandma.”