The Princeton campus buzzed with the energy of students between classes. Ethan Collins, blending in as a typical university student, kept an unobtrusive watch over Sophia Bennett from a distance. He had noticed a particular student—tall, with an easy charm—casting glances in Sophia's direction. Ethan, ever vigilant, took mental notes.

As Sophia chatted with friends on the quad, the guy approached her, a casual smile on his face. Ethan couldn’t hear their conversation, but he could see the guy’s interest was evident. Sophia, unaware of Ethan’s watchful eyes, responded with polite laughter and light conversation.

Ethan’s phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his observation. He glanced at the screen: it was a call from William Bennett.

“Ethan, how’s everything?” William’s voice crackled through the receiver.

Ethan kept his tone professional. “Everything’s fine, sir. Just saw a guy who seems interested in Sophia. I’m keeping an eye on him.”

William’s voice hardened. “Make sure you do. I don’t want any complications. You know my stance on her dating. She’s under enough pressure without adding potential distractions.”

Ethan nodded, even though William couldn’t see him. “Understood. I’ll handle it.”

As the call ended, Ethan spotted the same guy lingering nearby, waiting for an opportunity to approach Sophia again. Ethan decided it was time to intervene. He walked up to the guy with a calm but firm demeanor.

“Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” Ethan’s voice was steady but carried an edge.

The guy looked up, slightly taken aback. “Sure, what’s up?”

Ethan leaned in slightly, keeping his tone friendly but assertive. “I noticed you’ve been interested in Sophia Bennett. She’s a great person, and it’s clear you like her. However, I need to make it clear that if you’re planning anything serious, you might want to reconsider. Her father is very protective, and if you make any moves that cause trouble, let’s just say you and I won’t be on good terms.”

The guy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Whoa, I didn’t mean to cause any problems. I just thought she seemed nice. No harm intended.”

Ethan gave a curt nod. “Glad to hear that. Just keep your distance if you’re not serious.”

As the guy walked away, Ethan returned to his spot, feeling a mix of satisfaction and unease. He knew this was just the beginning of managing the complexities of his role.

---

Back at the Bennett home, Eleanor and William were having a heated discussion in their study.

Eleanor crossed her arms, her tone exasperated. “William, why are you being so strict? Sophia is 18 years old. She’s at university, and it’s natural for her to want to date. She’s not a child anymore.”

William looked up from his papers, his expression conflicted. “I know she’s 18, Eleanor, but she’s still our daughter, and she’s under a lot of scrutiny. I just want to make sure she’s safe and not distracted by unnecessary complications.”

Eleanor sighed, her frustration evident. “But controlling her social life won’t make her safer. It might just push her away. She deserves to make her own choices and mistakes.”

William’s expression softened. “I understand your point. It’s just hard for me to let go. I want her to be happy and safe.”

Eleanor walked over to him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We both want that. Maybe we need to find a balance—trust her to make good decisions and support her while keeping an eye out without being overbearing.”

William nodded slowly. “You’re right. I’ll try to ease up a bit. Let’s hope Ethan can handle the situation as needed.”

---

Ethan, after ending the call with William, was left contemplating the complexities of his role. His mission was clear: protect Sophia while allowing her to navigate her own path. Balancing his duties with respect for her independence was proving to be a delicate task.

As he prepared for his next class, Ethan couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of responsibility and an unspoken concern for Sophia. The line between duty and personal feelings was becoming increasingly blurred.