Sid  Leclair  doesn’t beg, bend, or break. She doesn’t ask for permission — she inherits power and watches the world shape itself around her last name. Daughter of Richard  Leclair , the man billionaires fear and governments don’t say no to, Sid walks through life like she owns it.

Because in most ways, she does.

So when a newly hired professor at her elite university dares to call her out — publicly, sharply, without flinching — she doesn’t know whether to be offended… or intrigued.

Theo Arden is brilliant, principled, and frustratingly indifferent to who she is. He sees through the designer armor, the biting sarcasm, the curated chaos — and still doesn’t care. After an explosive confrontation in class, he gives her detention.

Every day.
Alone.
With him.

It’s supposed to be punishment.
But it becomes a standoff.

The more they clash, the more the heat builds. Between whispered insults and loaded silences, something forbidden simmers in the air — something dangerous enough to ruin them both. Because Theo may be the only person who’s ever told Sid no… and the only one she can’t stop thinking about.

Power. Pride. And a pull neither of them can escape.
In a world where everyone plays games, they might be each other’s only truth — and their greatest downfall.

The black Mustang purred to a stop just outside the university's stone archway, and as always, the crowd parted like the air knew better than to touch me.


New outfit. New chaos. Same signature smirk.


I stepped out, flicking my sunglasses up onto my head. That's when I saw him.


Standing by the faculty lot, sleeves rolled down today, collar crisp like he needed the armor.


His eyes met mine, and just for a second—The world quieted.


Just walked straight toward him, like I had something to say, even if I didn't.


"Good morning, Professor," I said sweetly, pausing just inches too close.


He glanced around — students milling in, professors greeting each other — then back at me with that same unreadable stillness.


"Miss Richard," he replied, formal and cool.


I leaned in, voice low. "Still pretending I don't get under your skin?"


He didn't blink. "You get under everyone's skin. It's not a compliment."


I let that hang between us for a beat. Then smiled.


"Careful," I whispered, stepping back. "People might start to think you care."


I turned before he could answer, heels clicking like punctuation.


But as I disappeared through the glass doors, I knew he was still watching.


She was waiting for me outside the lecture hall.


Not obvious—Sid was too smart for that.She leaned against the wall like she'd been texting, one foot crossed over the other, a picture of casual sin.


I didn't stop. Just walked past her with the kind of focus I usually reserved for deadlines and academic boards.


"Morning again, Professor," she called softly, just behind me.


"Miss Richard," I said, low. "Do you need something, or are you just working overtime on boundary violations?"


She smiled. "Can't a girl greet her favorite professor?"


I stepped closer—too close for comfort, too far from sense.


"Whatever game you're playing, end it," I said, voice low and sharp. "Before someone sees what you're trying to make this look like."


She didn't flinch. If anything, her smile widened.


"You mean what you keep making it feel like?"


"I'm not afraid of consequences," she added.


"I am," I snapped, softer than I meant to. "Because I know them."


She studied me, really looked for the crack she knew had to be there.


"No." I leaned in, just enough. "I'm afraid of what I'll do if I stop being afraid of you."


She turned slowly, walking away with that same calculated sway.


Chapter 8 - '' Morning Warnings ''