I didn’t know what to say. When Jordan had said that he’d handle it, then I’d assumed we’d be here together. He wasn’t, and since I had no idea of his plan, there was nothing I could do. I dropped my eyes once more and flicked my thumbnails against each other.
I didn’t want to get him into any more trouble than he was going to be in, but I also wanted to get myself out of it. The two were warring inside me, and I couldn’t think for a second which one was the strongest desire.#p#分页标题#e#
Three knocks at the door echoed through the room.
Dr. Lewellyn looked up. “Come in.”
I turned my head as the door opened. I didn’t need to—I felt him the moment he stepped into the room.
“Dr. Lewellyn,” Jordan greeted him. “Miss Hamilton.”
“Professor,” I said softly, focused on a spot on the carpet. It was slightly lighter than the rest, like something had been spilled and bleach used to clean it up.
“Take a seat, Dr. Keaton,” Dr. Lewellyn told him. “I’d like to get to the bottom of this before I make any immediate decisions. The cat seems to have his claws in Miss Hamilton’s tongue, so perhaps you can help me.”
“Of course.” Jordan took the seat next to mine. “Sir, I need you to understand that I am solely responsible for the commencement of this relationship.”
I snapped my head up.
“Was it not consensual?” Dr. Lewellyn looked between us.
“Yes, it was,” I answered.
“I pursued Miss Hamilton,” Jordan continued. “It was with a great deal of coercion and a force I’m not proud of using that she agreed to this.”
I stared at him. What was he doing?
“I had information about her she preferred not be spilled.”
“You blackmailed her?” Dr. Lewellyn queried, his eyebrows raised.
“Yes, sir.”
“Miss Hamilton? Is this true?”
Jordan’s eyes were brighter than usual—they were like beacons, and they were imploring me to agree with him.
I understood.
He was crucifying himself to protect me. Screwing his whole life so that I still had mine.
“Yes,” I whispered, holding my breath. “But I consented to everything that happened between us, including the relationship.”
“Would it have happened had Dr. Keaton not been privy to personal information?”
“I can’t answer that, sir.”
“Try.”
“Probably not. I hated his damn guts this time last month.”
Jordan’s lips twitched into a half smile.
“Sorry. That was a little blunter than I’d have liked.” I grimaced, my cheeks flushing.
Dr. Lewellyn coughed. “Your honesty is…appreciated, Miss Hamilton.” He scratched his nose. “So, to summarize, Dr. Keaton, you initiated the relationship via blackmail, forcing Miss Hamilton to agree. But, Miss Hamilton, you say you consented to everything from the start.”
I nodded, averting my eyes again.
He sighed. I heard the helplessness as it reverberated through the air.
“I’m trying very hard to think of a way in which this can be resolved with minimal damage to reputations, but I’m struggling.”
“Dr. Lewellyn,” Jordan started, leaning forward. “My reputation precedes itself. With all due respect, it could probably do with a bit of a blemish. I might get a few less e-mails being asked for private consultations on rusty spoons people’s children buried when they were three.”
My downward gaze hid my smile.
“This situation is all on me. I will offer you my resignation now, starting immediately, if Miss Hamilton’s reputation can be saved. She is, after all, the innocent party.”
Once again, I snapped my eyes up. This was his other great plan? Take the blame and resign? Was he insane?
And innocent my ass. The man had a video I’d sent him of me shoving a vibrator inside my vagina, for goodness’ sake.
Dr. Lewellyn pinched the bridge of his nose once more. “I need to think about this situation in more detail. Miss Hamilton, I’d prefer not to make any rash decisions regarding your future here or, indeed, at whichever law school you may be accepted to. Your grades are exceptional, so you will be suspended for the rest of the week, effective immediately.”#p#分页标题#e#
I nodded. “Of course, sir.”
“Dr. Keaton, your resignation is accepted. This will also be effective immediately. I appreciate your heroics, but if you didn’t offer a resignation, you would be fired.”
“Understandably.”
“The resignation will, perhaps, allow you to retain a shred of dignity when leaving this establishment.”