But the more he begged, the clearer it became just how much Vivian meant to him.
I pushed him away, my voice cold. "If you're not afraid of the entire university finding out that the esteemed Professor Weiss has been keeping a female student tucked away in his apartment like a secret mistress, then by all means, let her stay."
Growing up as the Henson family heir, I'd learned one rule early: never give an inch. The moment you do, people will take a mile.
Elmer's expression went rigid. His fists clenched at his sides. After a long beat, he forced the words through his teeth. "Don't do anything rash. I'll have her move out."
Satisfied with that answer, I turned and left.
I knew full well that the evidence my best friend had dug up wasn't enough to destroy Elmer completely. I needed more proof before I could set my real plan in motion.
That evening, Elmer came home early.
He was clearly furious that I'd gone after Vivian. He didn't say a single word to me the entire night.
Over the weeks that followed, not a single dog hair appeared on his clothes again.
I'd assumed they were scared enough to back off and start behaving themselves.
But something that happened shortly after shattered that assumption entirely.
Elmer's university was hosting a networking gala. In the past, he'd always brought me along.
This time, he hadn't even mentioned it.
I thought about it for a moment, changed into a cocktail dress, and walked straight into the banquet hall.
The first thing I saw was Elmer standing in the middle of a crowd with Vivian on his arm. His title as professor had people swarming around him, showering him with compliments.
A newly hired instructor mistook Vivian for his wife and gushed, "Professor Weiss, your wife is absolutely stunning. I've never seen anyone so beautiful."
Vivian's cheeks flushed pink. She tilted her head up at Elmer, her voice dripping with coy sweetness. "Professor, you didn't tell them who I am?"
Elmer was clearly eating up every second of her act. He let her dangle for a moment before answering.
"Vivian is my newest graduate student. She mentioned she'd never been to a formal event, so I brought her along to broaden her horizons."
A beat of silence followed. Then the praise came flooding in.
"Professor Weiss really does look after his students."
"If I had a mentor like Professor Weiss, I'd be smiling in my sleep."