I scoffed. And you cracking the whip to students to ensure your precious position and awards and grants and raises isn’t? The accusation was hot on my tongue, but I bit it. “Where is the proof?” I asked. I’d heard some parents were in an uproar, but students from all different high schools were rallying behind the site. Tessa had told me that much over the last time I’d brought brownies—something I tried to do at least monthly, if only to keep up with what was going on in her life. She’d said it was a safe space to ask questions without being judged.

“I don’t need proof,” he snapped. “The creator claims Wilmont. That means one of mine is causing this distasteful disturbance within our academic community. The content alone is enough for disciplinary action.”

“I can’t do it,” I said again. “Get someone else.” I knew he couldn’t. Not for something so obviously wrong. Exposing someone because you didn’t agree with their ideals—regardless of the harm it would do to them upon discovery—was beyond unethical. He called me because he didn’t want anyone to know what he was doing.

“I was afraid you’d say that,” he said. “I was hoping to avoid this next piece of the conversation, but you’ve left me no choice.” He cleared his throat. “You know that little stunt someone pulled during my presentation? The one you failed to prevent?”

“Mm-hmm,” I mumbled, adrenaline coursing through my veins. This guy. His threats. They wouldn’t work on me. I’d been on call for him ever since I failed to get the video down soon enough, but this…this task was too messed up to care about that anymore. And if he threatened to not recommend me when MIT called, then I would go straight to VP Howard.

“I discovered who the culprit is. The student did steal my personal laptop. Overnight. Returned it before the sun came up the next day.”

“How’d you figure that out?” And what the hell did it have to do with me?

“I’ve known for quite some time, actually,” he said. “I have cameras in my office.”

I gaped at the phone. “That’s…” Creepy. Invasion of privacy when students are called in there unaware. Creepier. “I’m not following.” There was no way he could hold the theft over me. I hadn’t been the one to lift his shit.

“You will uncover the source behind that horrendous website,” he said. “Or I’ll hand the footage over to the authorities.”

My hand shook as I saw red. I lowered my cell for a second, hitting a few buttons before speaking. “Say again?”

He grumbled. “Find out who is behind the site and bring the information to me, or I’ll hand over the culprit to the authorities.”