Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 113

“Alex, I’m curious. How exactly did you arrange this dinner with Miss Morgan?” Ethan’s voice was casual, but there was an undercurrent of something sharper.

“I wanted to thank her properly for saving my life back in Cloud City,” Alexander explained, setting down his fork carefully. “I ran into Miss Morgan at the Morrison Pharmaceutical Research Center yesterday and asked if I could buy her dinner.”

“Morrison Pharmaceutical?” Ethan’s eyebrow arched slightly as he turned to me, his fingers lightly tapping against

his wine glass. “What business did you have there, Miss Morgan?”

I took a small sip of wine before answering, savoring the rich burgundy notes. “I was picking up medication for my

brother.”

“I see.” Ethan nodded, but his eyes held a calculating look that suggested he wasn’t entirely satisfied with my brief explanation. “And how is your brother adjusting to Princeton High School?”

“Well enough. He’s resilient.”

Throughout the rest of dinner, Alexander barely spoke another word. He kept his head down, methodically cutting his food into precise, tiny pieces. I noticed him occasionally glancing up, only to find his uncle’s gaze already on him, causing Alexander to immediately look back down at his plate like a scolded child. The clinking of silverware against fine china filled the awkward silences.

When we finished eating, Ethan gestured to Connor, who had been standing discreetly by the door. “Connor, take

care of the bill.”

‘I can pay,” Alexander said quickly, reaching for his wallet. “I invited Miss Morgan, after all. It’s the least I can do considering what she did for me.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Ethan replied, his tone brooking no argument. “You should head back soon. It’s getting late, and I know you have an early meeting tomorrow.”

Alexander’s shoulders slumped slightly in defeat. “Yes, Uncle.”

“I’ll see Miss Morgan back to campus,” Ethan added, standing and offering me his hand.

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12:26 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 113

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An hour later, I was walking across Princeton’s campus, rolling my new luggage behind me.

As I passed the basketball court, floodlights illuminating the players in harsh white light, a ball came flying toward my head. Without breaking stride, I caught it one–handed, pivoted, and sent it sailing in a perfect arc toward the basket thirty feet away. The ball swished through the net without touching the rim, the chain links rattling in the quiet night.

“Holy shit!” Chase Astor lowered his arms from where he’d been about to call out a warning. His friends stood frozen on the court, mouths hanging open. Sweat gleamed on their foreheads as they stared at me in disbelief.

I continued walking as if nothing had happened, my luggage wheels clicking rhythmically behind me.

“], wait up!” Chase jogged over to me, slightly out of breath, his expensive basketball shoes squeaking on the pavement. “That was… I didn’t know you played basketball.”

“I don’t.” The cool night breeze brushed my hair across my face.

He stared at me for a moment, then noticed my luggage. “Going somewhere?”

“Moving.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out his phone. “Here. I fixed your game.”

Chase took the phone and scrolled through it, his eyes widening as he swiped through screen after screen. “You cleared every level? Even the impossible ones at the end? I’ve been stuck on level 78 for months!”

I shrugged and continued walking, leaving Chase standing there with his phone clutched in his hand, the blue light illuminating his bewildered expression.

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