Page 243 of Ruthless Court

“Maybe the premise started it.”

Someone near the window whispers, “This is insane.”

I hear the quiet vibration of a phone camera beginning to record.

Professor Aldridge hears it too.

“Devices down.”

Two students lower their phones.

A third angles hers beneath the desk.

I return to the argument.

“A person with influence decides what refusal costs. That alone changes the decision.”

Kane tilts his head.

“You refused me.”

My pulse jumps.

“This is not about us.”

“You made it about unequal power.”

“Academically.”

“Then consider it a case study.”

The class goes silent.

He steps closer.

“You refused my invitation to the library.”

“I went.”

“After negotiating.”

“You were threatening our grade.”

“You refused to tell me where you were going.”

“You followed me.”

Laughter breaks across the room.

Kane waits for it to fade.

“You refused to let me drive you.”

“You opened the car door and stood there.”

“You still chose to get in.”

“Because the bus took over an hour.”