I’m In Love With My Brother’s Best Friend?! – Episode 40
Professor Calloway regarded them in silence. Cole had been her most trusted student and teaching assistant. Kaitlyn had become a leading internship candidate. Their deception compromised both relationships.
She asked what they had to say for themselves. Cole began by promising he would never condone cheating or favoritism. His feelings for Kaitlyn had not changed his academic judgment.
The professor wanted to know why he failed to disclose the relationship on the first day of class. Transparency should have preceded any conflict.
Kaitlyn admitted she had stopped him. Working for Professor Calloway mattered deeply to Cole, and Kaitlyn refused to jeopardize his future before they understood their own relationship.
She also explained that the course and internship were among the reasons she chose the university. Leaving would punish her for a connection neither had planned.
Cole said this was not a meaningless affair with a student. He cared for Kaitlyn deeply and had known her throughout his life. The bond existed before either entered the classroom.
Professor Calloway acknowledged the history but called the situation unethical. Prior affection did not erase the imbalance between a teaching assistant and a freshman.
Kaitlyn looked at the lessons written across the board. If business ethics concerned transparency and managing conflicts, perhaps the same principles could apply here.
Cole argued that ethical relationships required disclosure, boundaries, and systems preventing unfair advantage. They had failed at disclosure, but they could correct that failure.
Kaitlyn added that Professor Calloway had graded her paper independently. Cole did not control her grades, and another evaluator could review all future work.
They proposed formal safeguards: no private grading, no academic favoritism, and complete accountability. Their relationship did not need to corrupt the course if the conflict was actively managed.
Professor Calloway stared at them in disbelief. Had they truly used her own business-ethics framework to defend their romance?
Cole admitted they had. Kaitlyn held her breath, unsure whether ingenuity would impress the professor or make the offense worse.
Then a reluctant smile touched Professor Calloway’s face. Their reasoning was sound, and they presented it as a team. More importantly, the paper controversy had demonstrated Kaitlyn’s independent ability.
She allowed Cole to retain his position on the condition that he remain strictly professional in class. Any sign of preferential treatment would end the arrangement.
She also told Kaitlyn she would be fortunate to have her as a spring intern. The opportunity would proceed on merit, subject to the same impartial review as every other applicant.
Relief left Kaitlyn almost weak. Minutes earlier she faced expulsion; now her work had earned recognition. Cole squeezed her hand only after the professor looked away.
Professional consequences had been contained, but another problem remained. Campus gossip would travel quickly, and Ryan had just returned home.
Professor Calloway dismissed them with a final warning about honesty. The lesson extended far beyond business ethics. Secrets created vulnerabilities that enemies could exploit.
Kaitlyn and Cole stepped into the hallway as an openly acknowledged couple for the first time. Students were already whispering—and somewhere nearby, a message carrying the news was on its way to Ryan.