One Night With My Alpha Professor

Chapter 116 Audrey

Edwin stepped aside, allowing my friends to enter the cottage. "Come in."

Their eyes widened as they stepped inside, their gazes flickering nervously between the luxurious surroundings and our professor. And then they turned to me.

"Audrey! There you are, Gavin said, thoroughly confused-and relieved.

"We were looking all over for you, Tina added with a huf

I rubbed my hand along the back of my neck, suddenly feeling exposed in nothing but my bikini and Edwin's oversized button-down.

"I hurt my foot." I said, gesturing to the bandage on my foot. "Edw-Professor Brooks happens to live here during the

summers, so...

Tina's eyes narrowed slightly at my words, but I ignored her for now.

"Hm. What an interesting coincidence," Betty remarked, her tone casual but her curiosity clearly piqued. She didn't press further, though, seeming content to let it go for the moment.

As if on cue, a loud c**k of thunder reverberated through the room, causing everyone to jump. Rain began to pelt the windowsin droves; it seemed my friends had come inside at just the right time. Edwin glanced outside, then back at us, his expression one of mild amusement.

"Well" he said, his voice calm despite the storm brewing outside "it looks like you might be stuck here for a while. I was just

started." about to bake some cookies. Feel free to use the facilities to clean up and dry off while I

We all murmured our thanks, grateful for the offer. Edwin directed us toward the bathroom and a guest room where we could change into dry clothes. Tina pulled me into the guest room, shutting the door behind us with a decisive click.

"Okay, spill," she demanded in a whisper. "What's really going on here?"

I sighed, running a hand through my damp hair. "Honestly, it really was just a coincidence. I hit my foot, swarn to the nearest dock, and it turned out to be Edwin's-Professor Brooks-cottage."

Tina's gaze remained fixed on my face, as if she was searching for hidden lies behind my words. After a moment, finding nothing, she nodded slowly. "Alright. But you know I'm here for you, right? If you need me to tell him off or anything-

"Thanks, Tina," I said, touched by her concern. "But that won't be necessary. He's my boss for the summer, and I don't want to cause any trouble."

"Okay," Tina conceded, her voice softening. "But I'll be keeping an eye on him."

"I know you will."

After we had changed and dried off-my friends had grabbed our bags when they began their search for me-we rejoined -the others in the living area. Edwin was already seated at the table with Betty, Gavin, and Avis, a plate of freshly baked cookies sitting between them. The scent of chocolate and vanilla wafted through the air, making my mouth water

Audrey," Edwin said, gesturing to an empty chair with a welcoming smile. "Have a cookie."

I hesitated for a moment, feeling like I was made of stone. But a swift nudge from Tina in my lower back sent me stumbling forward, and I took a seat and reached for a cookie. As I bit into it, the sweetness contrasted sharply with bitter emotions

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Chapter 116

swirling around in my head.

How the hell had I managed to end up in yet another personal situation with the man I was a against? It felt like fate was laughing at me.

to be holding a grudge

As we munched on the cookies, Gavin's eyes suddenly widened in astonishment. He was staring at Edwin's liquor cabinet, his gaze fixed on a particular bottle on the top shelf.NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.

"Is that. No way," Gavin breathed, standing up for a closer look. Professor, is that a bottle of Dalmore 627"

Edwin's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "You have a good eye, Gavin,"

Gavin's excitement was palpable. "That's one of the most expensive whiskies in the world! Does it.. does it taste as good as they say?"

Edwin chuckled, a warm, unexpected sound that almost made me jump in my chair. "You can try for yourself if you'd like."

"Really?" Gavin's eyes widened as he turned to Edwin. "I've always seen our wealthy patrons order this at the restaurant I work at, but I've never had a chance to try it."

"Well, here's your chance." Edwin stood and retrieved the bottle, pouring a small amount into a glass for Cavin. The rest of us watched with bated breath as Gavin took a sip, his expression shifting from excitement to one of pure bliss.

"Oh, wow... that's delicious," Gavin breathed, savoring the liquor. "I've never tried any alcohol that even compares..

"Well, now I'm jealous." Betty said with a laugh.

Edwin's gaze swept over our eager faces, and he laughed softly. "I probably shouldn't be doing this, given that I'm your professor and you're my students. But.." He turned, grabbing four more glasses from the nearby cabinet. "Would the rest of you like to try some? Consider it an apology for the trouble during the fashion show last semester."

My friends nodded enthusiastically, although I remained silent and still as a statue in my chair.

Edwin poured small amounts for each of us. I hesitated, shooting him a wary look as he handed me my glass, but my friends' murmurs of pleasure as they tried the whiskey made my resolve crumble. I took a tentative sip, savoring the sensation of it burning a warm path down my throat. It was the same whiskey that Edwin had been so casually drinking earlier.

He had said, earlier that night, that he had no need for bribes. I supposed I had forgotten just how wealthy Edwin was, given the meager furnishings in his apartment back at Grayspring. He played the role of a regular professor quite well, but he was drinking the world's most expensive whiskey on a Wednesday night, and now sharing it with us like it was nothing...

The realization made my cheeks heat up slightly. Perhaps he hadn't taken a bribe for Linda to join the intern program after all, that was one less thing to be mad at him for, I supposed.

Although, now I wondered how she had gotten into the program

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As the whiskey worked its magic, the mood in the room lightened considerably. My friends began to joke about drinking with our professor, their laughter filling the space and making it feel more like a casual gathering rather than an unexpected

encounter.

"This is surreal," Avis giggled. "We're having drinks with Professor Brooks in his secret cottage."

Edwin's smile was genuine, his demeanor relaxed as he leaned back in his chair. "As long as you don't tell anyone, I don't mind the company. It's nice to have some life in this place for a change."

As the evening progressed and the drinks continued to flow, my friends became increasingly fascinated with Edwin's collection of expensive collectibles. They crowded around his bookshelves and display cases, marveling at rare first editions and antique trinkets.

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But still, I couldn't shake the discomfort settling in my stomach.

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How could Edwin be so nonchalant after everything that had happened? How could he invite my friends into his home, share his prized whiskey, and converse as if nothing was amiss! As if he hadn't slept with me twice while engaged to another?

And how the hell could I allow myself to just sit here, enjoying his company?

Pathetic.

Needing a breath of fresh air, I slipped out onto the porch while my friends were preoccupied by the collectibles. The rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle, the rhythmic patter against the wooden deck soothing I leaned against the railing, inhaling the fresh, damp air, letting it calm my racing thoughts.

But I wasn't alone for long. The door creaked open behind me, and Edwin's presence soon joined mine. He leaned on the railing beside me, and I couldn't decide whether to lean into him or dive into the misty lake and be done with all of this.

"I don't want to marry her, you know," he said softly, his voice barely audible over the remaining droplets of rain.

My heart leapt into my throat, the sudden revelation sending a jolt through me. I turned to face him, only to find his intense gaze already locked onto mine. He moved closer, his hand reaching up to gently cup my chin, tilting my face toward his.

"Audrey

In that moment, all of my anger and hurt seemed to dissolve. The overwhelming urge to close the distance between us, to feel his lips against mine once more, was quite literally irresistible. I rose onto my tiptoes, my eyes fluttering closed as I felt his breath fanning against my checks.

But just as our lips were about to meet, reality crashed back with jarring clarity.

I jerked away, my heart pounding in my chest. What the hell was I doing? He was still engaged, still my boss, still the man who had caused me so much pain. No amount of sweet nothings could change that The rain had stopped, leaving a profound silence in its wake. I turned on my heel, leaving my glass on the railing.

"I think it's time we go home," I said firmly, flinging the door open and striding inside.

Edwin said nothing. He just let me go, his gray eyes burning twin holes into the back of my head.

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