Chapter 3

Julian treated us to dinner at the most expensive restaurant in the city.

It was obvious he was doing this so we would look after his new TA.

Chloe sat right next to him.

Julian looked at her with a remarkably soft, almost doting expression.

I never expected such a ruthless man to be such a fool for love.

After dinner, the weather turned bad, and a torrential downpour started.

Students with umbrellas shared with those without, and everyone gradually left.

I had forgotten my umbrella, so I was stuck waiting at the entrance for the rain to stop.

"I can give you a ride."

I looked up at the sound of the voice.

Marcus gave me a gentle look, holding his umbrella halfway over me.

"Professor Sterling left with Chloe. My car is parked over there."

"Thank you, Marcus."

Once we got into the car, Marcus glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

"Avery, do you have a boyfriend?"

"Just broke up."

Marcus wasn't usually a talkative guy.

Why was he being so warm and conversational today?

"Chloe just transferred to our department. Try to help her out more."

Ah. So that was why...

"Sure. She's Professor Sterling's girlfriend, after all. I get it."

"Avery, that's not what I meant." Marcus sighed. "On the contrary, there is an open spot in the main research lab. I was hoping it would be you."

What was Marcus trying to hint at?

With my grades, of course it should be me.

"Yeah, I'll do my best."

Chloe and I were in the same research group, working on a core NSF-funded project led by Julian. We were each responsible for 50% of the project.

She handled the first half; I handled the second.

Once completed, the report had to be submitted to Julian personally.

Chloe insisted on taking over the submission.

Usually, turning in data to Julian was no different from stepping into a minefield.

So we always passed the task around like hot potatoes.

Since she was Julian's girlfriend, I was glad to catch a break.

But after she turned it in, Chloe came back looking extremely pale.

She walked toward me, looking deeply troubled.

I got a bad feeling in my gut.

Could it be that even his girlfriend wasn't safe from his temper?

"Chloe, are you okay?" I stood up from my chair, asking out of concern.

"Avery, I need to ask you a huge favor. Please, say yes." Chloe begged, looking incredibly pitiful, as if she had been deeply wronged.

"What's wrong?"

"I made a stupid, basic mistake in the first half of the report."

"I really didn't know the data statistics had to be based on this year's latest standards. I thought last year's would be fine."

"I was so scared of his reaction... so I told Professor Sterling that you were the one responsible for that section."

I stared at her, completely dumbfounded.

"And?"

Chloe grabbed my arm, trying to pull me close.

"Professor Sterling wants you in his office right now."

"Please help me out, Avery. I'll buy you dinner next time!"

Maya nudged my elbow from behind, giving me a warning look.

I sighed and nodded helplessly.

"Thank you so much, Avery!" Chloe’s face instantly lit up.

Maya gave me a sympathetic look of solidarity. "She's the Professor's new TA. We can't afford to mess with her. Good luck, Avery!"

She clenched her fist in an encouraging gesture.