Page 245 of Ruthless Court
“It proves poor judgment.”
His gaze drops to my mouth.
“Twice?”
The entire class loses control.
Laughter. Gasps. Someone smacks a hand against a desk.
Professor Aldridge raises his voice.
“Enough.”
The room settles reluctantly.
He looks at Kane.
“Return to the theoretical framework.”
Kane steps back, though his attention remains on me.
“Yes, Professor.”
I straighten my notes.
My hands are steady.
Mostly.
“Mr. Haverhill is confusing persistence with ethical influence.”
Kane folds his arms.
“Ms. Goodwin is pretending persistence removes her ability to choose.”
“It can wear someone down.”
“Did I wear you down?”
“No.”
“Then your example fails.”
“You are not my example.”
“You keep using my behavior.”
“Your behavior keeps volunteering.”
Several students laugh again.
Aldridge makes no effort to stop them this time.
I take a breath.
“Public influence creates a distorted environment. Attention from someone with status is never received privately. It carries spectators, expectations, and assumptions.”
That quiets the room.
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