Taming My Professor

Chapter 5

Gerald's POV

“Mr Knight,” Robert Smith, the chancellor of the state college greeted enthusiastically as I walked into the conference room. “We tried our best to attend as soon as we got the call. What's so urgent to make a man of your calibre come in person?” He asked, eyes bulging as Henry pulled out a chair.

I settled in, placing a folder on the table. My eyes swept across the room, scanning the faces of the three officials present. As expected, the coward of a governor sent his three best negotiators rather than face me.

Pathetic.

I took a deep breath, eyes sharp as they landed on Robert. “I want to buy the college,” I said, my voice flat.

The room fell silent as the officials exchanged glances. The shock and panicked expressions on their faces was quite amusing.

“Mr Knight,” Amanda Reeve, a member of the board began. “The college is state owned. You can't just buy it.”

I shifted my gaze to her. “I can.”

“On what terms?” Adam Whyte, another member asked.

“On mine,” I replied calmly.

Robert’s face flushed as his voice became loud. “This is outrageous! The governor would never approve…”

“The governor owes me,” I interrupted gently. “As do most of you,” I said, voice steady.

The room broke out in murmurs, but I couldn't care less.

“Let’s be precise,” I said, disrupting their side conversations. “The college remains state-owned on paper. Funding streams remain intact. Public oversight remains ceremonial. I acquire operational control through a special purpose. Renovations, endowments, research grants fully funded. Salaries stabilized. Debts erased.”

Amanda leaned forward, arching a brow. “And in return?”

I smiled faintly. “Efficiency.”

Adam let out a sharp laugh. “You want to run a public institution like a private toy?”

“Negative,” I purred. “I want to run it like a system that works.”

Robert’s voice rose. “You’re asking us to sign away authority!”

My voice grew dark as I fixed my gaze on him. “Who said anything about asking?” I clicked my tongue, “Amanda,” I said, eyes steady. “Your brother’s embezzlement charges disappeared because the files mysteriously vanished. Adam,” I sighed, shifting my gaze towards him, “Your offshore accounts survived a leak because the server logs were corrupted, and finally, Robert,” I cooed, lips widening with a smirk as my eyes drifted towards him. “Your opponent’s accident was ruled as a mechanical malfunction rather than a homicide because of insufficient evidence.”

I paused. “All these because of my instruction.”

The room went silent.

“I didn’t do these things as a favor. I did them because the system needs people who understand leverage.”

Amanda’s hands trembled. “This is blackmail.”

“No,” I said. “This is business.”

Adam exhaled slowly. “What exactly do you want?”

“Operational control,” I said. “Curriculum approvals. Faculty appointments. Disciplinary boards. Security contracts.”

Robert shook his head. “And the staff?”

“One change,” I said. “The psychology department requires restructuring.”

“Dr. Hale?” Amanda asked. “He’s tenured.”

“Then he’ll be wealthy,” I replied. “Offer him a generous severance. Non-disclosure. Immediate departure.”

“Why psychology?” Adam pressed.

“Because it’s inefficient,” I said simply. “I prefer clarity.”

Robert cleared his throat. “The agreement?”

I slid a folder across the table. “A thirty-year operational lease through the trust. State ownership preserved. Public announcements framed as a revitalization partnership. I fund the future. You keep the past buried.”

Robert's hands flipped through the pages as the others hovered behind him. They exchanged glances, a flicker of hesitation in their eyes.

“We could as well end this deal and let the general public know what kind of people run the government,” I grinned, rising to my feet as I adjusted my jacket.

“No need,” Robert panicked, scribbling on the paper. Adam and Amanda scribbled onto the document afterwards. “Welcome on board, Professor Gerald,” Robert smiled, walking over with the signed document.

“Welcome to progress,” I said, as he handed the document to Henry. “This is a partnership you'll never regret,” I smirked, turning on my heel.

I walked towards the exit, Henry at my side. “Why a psychology professor?” He asked with pouted lips.

“What better way to make her my obedient corpse if not by grading her mind?”

Henry sighed as we approached the elevator. “I'm so lost.”

“Psychology deals with the mind. It doesn’t command obedience,” I said calmly. “It convinces people it was their idea.”

Henry frowned. “You mean…”

“I mean she won’t know where her thoughts end and mine begin,” I cut in. “I’ll be the authority in the room. The voice that defines what’s normal, rational, and what’s safe.”

The elevator doors slid open.

“She’ll doubt herself before she doubts me,” I continued. “And when doubt becomes fear, people don’t look for freedom.”

I stepped inside. “They look for guidance. And I’ll be standing right there, grading her mind until she’s fully transformed to what I want.”

……………..

Nora's POV

Using the map in my email, I made my way to the classroom.

‘Stay away from Damien,’ Ivy's voice replayed in my head.

I let out a sharp scoff, rolling my eyes as I walked into the class. “None of it matters,” I mumbled, settling into my seat. “It's my first day in college. I can't let clowns with heavy makeup ruin my day.”

“Good morning, students,” a lady announced walking in. Her dark red hair cascaded over her shoulders as her green eyes scanned the room. “I'm Amanda Reeves, secretary to the board,” she continued, a wide smile curling her lips. “Welcome to the banking and finance department.”

The air filled with applause. She raised her hand, signalling total silence.

“It is with great pleasure that I introduce our newest professor. He'll be taking over the psychology department,” she said, stretching her hand toward the door. “Professor Gerald Knight.”

A cold chill ran down my spine as a familiar scent; cedarwood and vetiver, caught my nostrils as scenes from the night before replayed in my head. It couldn't be…

As the figure came into view, my eyes bulged as my breath caught in my throat. A pair of familiar sharp blue eyes landed on me as thin pink lips curled into a grin.

Goosebumps caressed my skin as my lips parted, words unable to form. Sweat trickled down my forehead, my fingers fumbling at the edge of my skirt.

Why did it have to be him!? How could it be? My one night stand is my professor!?