Gemotions

They called it "borrowing," which felt like a lie. Elara, the history professor with a reputation for merciless scrutiny, had accused Mark of lifting entire paragraphs from a scholarly article. He seethed, the blood roaring in his ears. He wasn’t a cheat. Just... overwhelmed.

The professor’s office, usually a haven of knowledge, now felt like a prison. Mark noticed a small, antique clock on her desk. He’d admired it before, a beautiful piece. Then he had an idea.

That night, he visited the professor’s office. He knew the building’s security system, its blind spots. The clock disappeared. A few weeks later, when the professor was due for a promotion, the clock’s absence, coupled with some carefully planted rumors about her supposed ethical lapses, was mentioned to the dean. Mark watched her face crumble from afar, with a cold satisfaction.