CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY NINE – JEALOUSY IN THE IVORY TOWER

It was a crisp autumn afternoon when a knock on her studio door pulled Jasmine away from grading student portfolios. She looked up to find her colleague, Professor Emily Thornton, standing in the doorway. Emily taught Art History and was generally known for her reserved demeanor and meticulous scholarship. "Emily, come in," Jasmine greeted her with a smile. "What brings you to my humble abode?" Emily stepped inside, her usual poise seeming slightly ruffled. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything, Jasmine. I... I need to talk to someone, and well, you've proven yourself to be rather discreet with sensitive matters." Intrigued, Jasmine gestured to a chair. "Of course. What's on your mind?" Emily sat, her hands twisting in her lap. "It's... it's about a student. A student I've become... involved with." Jasmine felt her eyebrows rise involuntarily. "Involved? You mean...?" "Romantically, yes," Emily confirmed, a blush creeping up her neck. "His name is Mark. Mark Ellison. I believe he