"Golden Garden," Jack said, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue, and then he fell silent, his gaze locked onto Miss Elma.
The weight of his words hung in the air, causing a sudden shift in Miss Elma's demeanor.
The fury that had consumed her just moments ago dissipated, replaced by a profound shock. It was as if Jack had peered into her soul, uncovering a secret she thought hidden.
A wave of vulnerability washed over Miss Elma as she instinctively leaned back in her chair, seeking support. Her hands trembled slightly as she nervously adjusted her glasses, trying to regain composure.
The stern authority that had defined her demeanor melted away, revealing a woman caught off guard and exposed.
"What do you mean?" she managed to ask, her voice betraying a mix of curiosity and unease.
It was clear that Jack's words had struck a nerve, disrupting the carefully constructed facade she had maintained until now.
Jack carefully observed the transformation in Miss Elma, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
The air, once tense with anger, now crackled with uncertainty. Her vulnerability made him pause, realizing that there was more to Miss Elma than met the eye. It was a rare glimpse behind the mask she wore so diligently.
As the silence lingered, Jack knew that the stakes had changed.
The once confrontational dynamic between them had shifted into uncharted territory, where vulnerability and curiosity intertwined, setting the stage for an unexpected connection.
His eyes narrowed, a glimmer of mischief dancing within them, as a sly smile gradually formed on his face.
The revelation that saying the words "Golden Garden" had triggered such a profound reaction in Miss Elma filled Jack with intrigue.
It was as if a secret door had been unlocked, revealing a path he had never anticipated.
With each passing second, his mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle before him.
The Cheat, had guided him previously, always pushing the boundaries of what he thought possible. This time was no different.
Jack couldn't help but marvel at the serendipitous nature of their encounter.
Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that a simple phrase would elicit such a profound response from Miss Elma.
As he pondered the implications, a surge of confidence coursed through his veins. This was his chance to get out of this situation.
"You know what I mean," Jack said, a confident smile gracing his face. Although he himself didn't know the significance of "Golden Garden," he maintained his composure, determined to play his part convincingly.
Miss Elma's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and apprehension washing over her. "What are you insinuating?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability.
Jack leaned back in his chair, his smile unwavering.
Miss Elma's grip tightened on the armrest of her chair as she visibly shifted in discomfort. "How could you possibly know about that?" she retorted, a touch of defiance in her voice.
Jack leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "A stroke of luck."
Jack's gaze shifted momentarily to Miss Elma's Ero Meter, the numerical indicator of her attraction and interest. It hovered at 41, a clear indication that Ero Meter effectively working its magic on her.
A confident smile curved on his lips as he realized he had gained a measure of control over the situation.
He could sense that if he played his cards right, if he followed the cues of her Ero Meter, he could hold her in the palm of his hand.
Miss Elma listened attentively to his words, her expression shifting subtly with each passing moment.
The deep breath she took seemed to fortify her resolve, as her eyes transformed into sharp orbs of determination.
"Get out," she muttered, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and defiance.
The abruptness of her command caught Jack off guard.
He had anticipated a different reaction, one of submission or vulnerability. He struggled to comprehend the sudden shift in her demeanor.
Puzzled, he questioned himself internally. 'What happened?' His thoughts raced, searching for an answer.
However, before he could dwell on his confusion, a faint sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears from beyond the confines of the committee room.
Understanding dawned upon him like a bolt of realization.
Miss Elma did not want their conversation to continue in the presence of others.
It became evident that the topic they were discussing was not meant to be heard by prying ears.
Jack deduced that she was guarding a secret, and this sudden dismissal was a means to protect it.
Realizing he had reached a juncture where pushing further would yield no results, Jack made a silent decision.
With a composed nod, he rose from his chair, giving Miss Elma a curt, understanding glance.
As he left, Miss Elma's gaze followed his departing figure, her slender fingers gripping the armrest of her chair with intensity. Her frustration grew, and she bit her lip, the turmoil within her evident. "How does he know?" she whispered to herself in a mixture of confusion and anger.
The mystery of Jack's knowledge gnawed at her, fueling her determination to protect her secrets at any cost.
Jack stepped out into the quiet corridor, the tension in the committee room gradually fading away.
The weight of the situation lifted off his shoulders, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him.
He had managed to navigate the delicate interaction with Miss Elma, narrowly avoiding a potential disaster.
Unbeknownst to him, the anger brewing within her had yet to subside.
As he walked towards the canteen, Jack couldn't help but reflect on the power his Cheat granted him.
It was a double-edged sword, enabling him to influence others but also reminding him of the moral implications and potential consequences that came with such abilities.
He wondered how he could wield this power responsibly and in the best interest of those around him.
Feeling hungry himself, Jack decided to grab some food for himself and Cassie. He entered the canteen and quickly bought a couple of sandwiches, carefully selecting the ones he knew Cassie would enjoy.
With the sandwiches in hand, Jack made his way back to the class where Cassie was engrossed in her phone. He approached her with a warm smile, holding out the food as a peace offering.
"Here, I got you sandwiches," he said, his voice filled with genuine care and concern.
Cassie looked up from her phone, her face instantly lighting up as she saw the food.
Hunger painted across her features, she eagerly accepted the offering and wasted no time taking a big bite, savoring the delicious flavors.
Between bites, Cassie managed to speak, her words muffled by the food in her mouth. "What took you so long?"
Jack chuckled softly, finding her grumpy demeanor amusing. "Oh, just a little detour," he replied playfully, not wanting to delve into the details.
Cassie raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued as she chewed and swallowed. She set the remaining sandwich down and leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Was it a girl?" she asked, her tone filled with playful suspicion.
Jack grinned mischievously, enjoying their banter. "No, not a girl this time," he teased, drawing out the suspense. "It was just a teacher."
Cassie's eyebrows furrowed slightly, a mix of confusion and curiosity flickering across her face.
She couldn't help but wonder what kind of encounter Jack had experienced with a teacher that led to his prolonged absence.
With a smirk, Jack decided to keep her in suspense, relishing the intrigue.
He leaned back in his chair, savoring the momentary peace and the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with Cassie.
After finishing their meal, the time came for another class to begin. This time, the teacher was a male, not as captivating as Miss Elma, and as a result, the students paid little attention to him.
Jack, on the other hand, took out his phone and noticed it buzzing with incoming messages.
An unknown number flashed on the screen, but he had a hunch about the sender's identity.
As he opened the messages, his suspicion was confirmed—it was indeed Miss Elma.
"She must have obtained my number from the college registry," he mused, contemplating how she managed to track it down so quickly.
With a curious glance, he delved into the contents of the messages.
"Hello, this is Elma."
"Can you meet me at this address?" she asked, accompanied by a pinned Google Maps location.
A smirk formed on Jack's lips as he read the messages.
Miss Elma's desperation seemed evident, considering she went to such lengths to contact him directly.
He decided to play with her anticipation a bit longer and postponed his reply, relishing the power dynamic at play.
As their classes came to an end, both Cassie and Jack headed back to their apartments, traveling in Jack's sleek red Tesla.
The comfortable silence between them was broken when they reached Cassie's door.
Jack stood outside her room, and Cassie, her face tinged with a gentle blush, looked at him with a hopeful expression. "Wanna stay over tonight?" she asked, her voice laced with anticipation.
A mischievous smile played on Jack's lips as he considered her proposition. "Maybe," he replied teasingly, enjoying the moment of suspense. "But first, I need to freshen up with a shower." He made his way towards the elevator, intending to return to his own room.
However, Cassie's voice halted him in his tracks.
She stepped forward, her heart pounding with anticipation, and a deep blush colored her cheeks. "You can take a bath at my place," she offered, her words filled with a mix of shyness and desire.
Jack turned to face her, his eyes twinkling with amusement and interest. He took a step closer, his voice filled with a hint of seduction. "Guess who is a Pervert now?"
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