Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 111

Chapter 111

62

After Ethan Haxton left the office, the oppressive atmosphere seemed to dissolve with him. Philip Thornton leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with undisguised curiosity.

“So, you and Ethan Haxton…” he began casually, “just friends? Or… something more?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Just acquaintances, President Thornton.”

“Acquaintances don’t solve twenty–three million dollar problems for you, Miss Morgan.” Thornton smiled slyly. “Nor do they casually offer their apartments as living quarters.”

“It’s merely a business arrangement,” I replied coolly, though I knew Thornton wouldn’t buy such a simple explanation.

He cleared his throat. “Speaking of arrangements, I have two grandsons here at Princeton. Brilliant mind, excellent academic record, and quite popular on campus. I think you might have a lot in common.”

I almost laughed. Was the university president actually trying to set me up?

“I appreciate the thought, President Thornton,” I said, looking him directly in the eyes, “but if I’m looking for someone, my minimum standard would be someone like Ethan Haxton.”

Thornton blinked, then chuckled. “Fair enough. To be honest, you’ve already met my grandson. If there had been any interest, I’d have noticed by now.”

I raised my eyebrows. “I’ve met him?”

“Indeed. But considering you don’t even remember who they are, I should probably abandon this matchmaking attempt,” he said, standing to signal our conversation was over.

At seven–thirty that evening, I walked out of the academic building to find a black Maybach waiting at the curb. The window lowered to reveal Ethan Haxton’s sharply defined profile.

“Need a ride, Miss Morgan?” His voice was deep and composed,

I approached the car, noting Connor in the driver’s seat nodding a greeting. The evening air was cool against my skin as I slipped into the back seat beside Ethan, the leather interior soft and luxurious beneath me.

“I actually have something for you,” I said, pulling a small elegant box from my bag and handing it to Ethan. “As promised.”

Ethan opened the box to reveal a sleek, expensive watch. His eyes brightened slightly as he examined the intricate details on the dial, his long fingers tracing the edges with appreciation.

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12:25 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 111

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“The best birthday gift I’ve received this year. Thank you,” he said, his tone unusually warm.

“Birthday gift?” I raised an eyebrow. “When is your birthday? Turning thirty?”

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

“No offense intended,” I said with a slight shrug. “Just making conversation.”

I pulled out Chase’s phone and continued the game level he couldn’t pass. On screen, a tiny character jumped across

a series of obstacles, the bright colors contrasting with the muted luxury of the car’s interior.

“That’s not the same phone you were using before,” Ethan observed, his voice taking on a subtle edge.

“This? It’s Chase’s phone,” I replied without looking up, my fingers moving deftly across the screen.

Ethan didn’t respond immediately, but I could feel his stare lingering. The atmosphere in the car shifted subtly, charged with an unspoken tension.

“I wasn’t aware you and Chase were close,” he finally said, his tone casual yet somehow pointed.

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