Ethan pulled out his phone and immediately dialed Dean Alexandria's number. It went straight to a generic voicemail. He tried again. No answer. Now more concerned than before, he walked quickly out of the administrative building, realizing the sudden evacuation was far more serious than a routine remodeling.

He took only two steps onto the marble walkway when someone rushed through the entrance and slammed directly into him.

They both fell hard. Ethan landed flat on his back, the air knocked out of his lungs. The impact was immediately followed by a soft, warm pressure against his face, accompanied by the distinct scent of expensive perfume and frantic exertion. The woman who had collided with him landed squarely on top of his chest, her hair spilling around his head.

For a breathless second, Ethan was aware only of the soft, yielding cushion of her breasts pressed firmly against his face.

The woman scrambled back, pushing herself off Ethan with a gasp, entirely focused on her own panic.

"Watch it, you idiot!" the woman screamed, her voice high-pitched and furious. "Do you know who you're dealing with? I'm going to—"

Her tirade froze instantly. Her eyes, wide and terrified, landed on Ethan's face. Her expression shifted from explosive anger to utter, stunned disbelief, and finally, relief so profound it bordered on hysteria.

"Oh, shit! It's you!" the woman said. It was Alexandria, her usually pristine appearance now ruffled, her clothes slightly askew, and a panicked tremor running through her hands. "You finally came back! Come with me!"

Alexandria grabbed Ethan's arm and yanked him up off the marble floor. Without waiting for a response, she dragged him unceremoniously across the foyer, moving at a frantic, headlong pace. She pulled him past a series of empty classrooms and down a seldom-used service hallway until they reached a discrete, unmarked door tucked away beneath a staircase.

She hastily fumbled with a keycard, shoved the door open, and dragged Ethan inside the small, private office. Before closing the door, she quickly peered down the hallway in both directions, checking frantically for anyone approaching, before slamming the door shut.

She spun around, her eyes wide as she looked at him, as if she were staring at the only straw that could keep her breathing above the crushing waves.

"You're finally back!" Alexandria gasped, her voice raw with relief. "Damn it, I've tried to contact you a thousand times over the past few weeks! Where in God's name have you been?"

Ethan gently pushed her back, giving himself space to breathe and think. The fear radiating off the Dean was palpable.

"I was detained," Ethan said simply. "I was in prison due to a false accusation, but it's resolved now."

Alexandria's eyes went wide with genuine terror, and she instinctively stepped back, putting distance between them. "Prison? What did you do? Are you serious?" she asked, her voice tight with panic.

"Nothing," Ethan said, projecting calm authority. "It was an error. Everything has been cleared up, I've been fully exonerated. Don't worry about it."

He looked around the small, windowless office, noting the lack of furniture and the faint, dusty smell of disuse.

"I actually just returned now to deal with my academic standing," Ethan said. "With the number of absences I've racked up, I figured I had probably already been officially dropped from the program."

Alexandria looked down, running a shaky hand through her hair. "This is the absolute worst possible moment for you to return, Ethan," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "But yes, you're right. You have effectively been officially dismissed."

Ethan immediately shifted to his negotiation stance, ignoring the dismissal.

"Look, I know this is bad timing for both of us, but I need your help one more time," Ethan said, meeting her eyes. "This situation was entirely out of my hands. Can you reinstate me? I need to continue my studies here."

Alexandria immediately put up her hands, shaking her head vehemently.

"Ethan, I cannot," Alexandria said, her voice cracking with desperation. "It is completely impossible for me to help you right now. I am in serious, deep trouble myself."

Ethan stepped closer, his demeanor shifting from casual student to focused investigator. The fear in her eyes was genuine.

"What is going on?" Ethan asked. "What could be so bad? And why are they emptying your office? I saw people taking out files and computers."

Alexandria took a shaky breath, trying to control her panic. "Do you remember the day I helped you gain admission to the University, accepting you completely off the official record?"

"Yes, I do," Ethan said. "I am still grateful for that."

"No... it can't be," Ethan said, looking terrified at the possibility. "Were you fired for that?"

"No, of course not!" Alexandria said, quickly dismissing the thought. "It has nothing to do with you, directly. But that day, I told you that if the day ever came when I needed a favor, I would call on you, didn't I?"

"I do remember that," Ethan said, his voice firm. "And I meant it. I have always been available. You just have to ask for the help."

Tears welled up in Alexandria's eyes, streaming down her face. She rushed forward and grabbed his hands, squeezing them tightly.

"Thank you, Ethan," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you so much. I truly owe you everything if you help me. I really don't know who is on my side or against me anymore."

"Just breathe," Ethan instructed, his voice low and commanding, forcing her to focus on him. "Take a deep breath and tell me everything. Start from the beginning."

Alexandria swallowed hard, trying to regain control.

"Do you remember my friend, Victoria Sterling?" Alexandria asked, her eyes darting nervously toward the door. "The saleswoman from Celestial Garden?"

"Yes, of course, I remember her very well," Ethan said, a slow, predatory smirk spreading across his face. "How could I ever forget her delicious flavor? I actually had quite a longing to taste her again."

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