Pushing Limits (Fighting Love #1) - kali cross Page 0,95

“It’s not often that I have guardians come by to meet me. It’s refreshing to see you take such an interest in Amber’s education.” He smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners as they discreetly sweep up and down. “Certainly not one as tidy as you, my dear.” Flashing a charming smile, he turns to his small make-shift tea station. “May I offer you some tea?”

“Do you have any Earl Gray?” she asks, smiling and apparently delighting in the fact that he is checking her out.

“A woman after my own heart, Earl Gray is my favorite.”

“I’m good, Professor,” I say dryly. Do they even notice I am still in the room? Uh, hello?

“Of course.” He turns to make the tea.

Aunt Patty turns her face to me, mouthing, “Oh my God…Gorgeous…those eyes,” fanning her face to belabor the point.

As he turns, she smiles graciously, “Thank you,” taking the cup and saucer.

“Where are my manners? Please sit,” he says. He waits for both of us to sit before taking a seat himself. “Now, what I can do for you. Oh, incidentally, Amber, I filled the correction report yesterday with Ms. Chadwick’s office.”

“Thank you, Professor,” I say, wiping my hands down my jeans I take a deep breath and continue, “I actually wanted to discuss that with you. I spoke with all of my professors yesterday and more than one mentioned that they had transmitted the correct grade for me. What is the likelihood that four professors would transmit a grade for a single student correctly and that grade would be posted incorrectly by the Chancellor’s office? I could understand if one grade was incorrectly posted by the professor, but all of them transmitted the correct grade. Have any other students come to you asking for a correction from my class?”

“No, you are the only one who requested a change, so far. The summer break is next week though, so I may see some students the following week who disagree with their grades.” He turns to my aunt, his lips form a gracious smile encased in his salt and pepper beard saying, “That happens all too frequently I am afraid.”

“I’m sure it does. Kids nowadays,” she says. Her sympathetic green eyes and gentle smile garner a sweet smile from the professor.

“That’s my point. Students complain that they didn’t get the grade they deserved. You gave me an A and transmitted an A, correct?”

“Yes, I believe so. Let me look at the transmittal report.” He shuffles through pile after pile mumbling about it being right here and switching to another pile and mumbling “Bloody Hell” and “Bullocks” as he searches. After several minutes, he finds what he’s looking for and studies the page. “Yes, I transmitted an A.”

“Don’t you think that’s a tad suspicious, Professor Stewart?” Aunt Patty suggests.

“Please call me Alec.” His mouth curves into an inviting smile. Considering it for a moment, he says, “Yes, I do think that’s suspicious.”

“We would like to request an investigation. Amber has had some…difficulties, with another student who works in the Chancellor’s office, and it seems suspicious to me that her grades appear to have been changed after they were transmitted to the Chancellor’s office. Is there anything I need to do to get this underway?”

“No, I can file the complaint on Amber’s behalf. May I ask the name of the student that Amber has been having difficulty with?”

“Lily McAllister,” Aunt Patty says, placing her teacup on one of the few available spaces in the room.

Turning to me, he says, “Not to worry, Amber, we’ll sort all this out.”

“Thank you, Professor Stewart. I appreciate your help.” I stand to leave.

He stands and crosses gracefully around his desk, taking my aunt’s hand in both of his, and says, “It was delightful meeting you, Patty. I know you are here to see your niece, but are you by any chance free for dinner tonight?” he asks, still holding her hand.

“I’m sorry, but we have plans tonight.” She smiles shyly.

He nods, releasing her hand. Disappointment flashes across his face briefly.

She glances tentatively at me and says, “But…if you are free tomorrow, I would love to go to dinner with you.”

He grins broadly, “Wonderful. Which hotel did you book?”

“I’m at the Four Seasons.” Aunt Patty smiles, her light green eyes darkening as she adds with a low murmur, “Room 612.”

“Wonderful.” Professor Stewart replies, “Seven o’clock?”

“Yes, I’ll look forward to it.” She smiles coyly.

As we walk into the hall, she says to me, “I hope that was ok. You don’t mind