Birth of Adam (Artificial Intelligence Book 2) by Liza O'Connor Read Free Book Online Page A

Goodbye, European grant.
    “Just for the record, I know you cheated, but you did it well enough to squeeze over the bar I created for dedicated students to recover from a stupid mistake. However, rest assured I’ll search your purse prior to all tests in the future. As it is, you have scored a few points higher than you normally do but at a very big cost. I’m going to let every one of your professors know you’re a cheat. If you’re still here at the end of this semester, I will be most disappointed.”
    To make matters worse, Dr. Harper refused to return her phone, declaring it ‘evidence’.
    By the time Amanda arrived in English, the class was half over. Dr. Johnson gave Amanda a stern look as she eased into the back of the class, but fortunately didn’t throw her out, which the professor frequently did to late arrivers.
    When class was over, Dr. Johnson called her down. “You have a class now, don’t you?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry I was so late. I had a cell phone in my purse, and Dr. Harper made me wait while he graded my second test.”
    Her eyebrows rose. “Well, from the fact you’re still in school, I gather you passed.”
    “I honestly don’t know. I studied very hard for his test and I thought I’d done well, but the second test I didn’t finish, and he wrote seventy-one percent on my paper. I don’t know if that was before or after the deduction, but whatever it was, it pissed him off, and he says he’s going to tell all my professors I’m a cheat. So I just want to apologize for being late and tell you I didn’t cheat on his test, nor have I ever cheated on yours. I just got the cell phone two days ago, which is why I didn’t recall the rule of no cell phones during the test.”
    “My advice is still the same. Put time on his schedule and arrive with roasted almonds. Now get on to your next class.”
    After chemistry class, Amanda drove to the mall and purchased a new cell phone. She had no idea how to activate it, but the guy behind the counter handled that problem. When he handed her phone back fully activated and turned on, she noticed a message telling her the phone was crap and to give it back. Adam then provided a visual of the one he wanted.
    The guy was annoyed when she declared she had changed her mind and wanted a different phone.
    “Too late,” he said.
    “No, it’s not,” she replied after glancing at Adam’s message on her phone. “Check the contract.”
    “What phone do you want?” the sales clerk asked in exasperation.
    She pointed it out.
    “That’s very expensive and way beyond your skill level.”
    What? I have to pass a test to get a phone? “That’s what I want,” she growled.
    By the time she left the phone store, she had forgotten about Dr. Harper’s nuts.
    “I was so afraid I’d lost you again!” she said to Adam.
    His sexy British voice spoke in her new tiny earpiece, which fitted into her ear. “I can find you anywhere if you type in your name. The second your phone was activated, I found you. However, if you want Chad to talk to you, you will need to give him your new number.”
    “Will you type for me?”
    “Of, course, darling,” he replied in a low, sultry voice.
    ***
    Amanda could tell from Dr. Wilson’s expression that Dr. Harper had kept his word about speaking to all her professors. She struggled to remain focused through rehearsals. When the two hours were up, she remained behind.
    Once everyone was gone, Dr. Wilson shook his head at her. “Cheating?”
    “I didn’t cheat,” she promised him, and explained what had happened.
    “Well, why did you buy a cell phone at all? This school has strict rules about cell phones in the classrooms.”
    “I didn’t buy it. It was given to me after the stalking incident,” she replied, which was technically true. “However, I do feel safer with one, so when Dr. Harper confiscated my phone, I did buy a new one.”
    “Yes, of course,” he said. “It may be necessary to tell the Board