"Vivian is my newest graduate student. She mentioned she'd never been to a formal event, so I brought her along to broaden her horizons."
A beat of silence followed. Then the praise came flooding in.
"Professor Weiss really does look after his students."
"If I had a mentor like Professor Weiss, I'd be smiling in my sleep."
"Vivian, you'd better study hard. Can't let the professor's investment in you go to waste."
I stood in the back and watched the entire performance for a good while before picking up a glass of wine and strolling over.
"Professor Weiss really does care about his students. Cares so much, in fact, that he didn't even bring his own wife tonight. Just his female student."
The second Elmer spotted me, he dropped Vivian's arm like it burned.
"Don't be ridiculous. Vivian's young and curious. She's never been to one of these events, so I just—"
I cut him off with a smile before he could finish. "Relax. It was a joke. Why are you so jumpy?"
Elmer let out a heavy breath of relief.
Beside him, Vivian's expression soured. The look she shot me was pure, undisguised jealousy.
"That's a cruel joke to make, Mrs. Weiss. If someone took it the wrong way, my reputation would be ruined."