Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 115

Chapter 115

Author’s POV:

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Jade stood in the spacious living room of the luxury mansion, holding out a bank card between her index and middle fingers toward Ethan.

“This is Mr. Hayes‘ compensation. Two million three hundred thousand dollars,” she said. “I’d like to buy this place outright.”

Ethan glanced at the card but made no move to accept it. “Keep it. Consider it compensation for your damaged

property.”

“I don’t need your charity.” She continued holding the card out.

“It’s not charity. It’s what you’re owed.” His voice was firm, brooking no argument.

Jade sighed, tucking the card back into her pocket. “Fine. By the way, you should visit less often. If you need anything, just call. My phone is secure–no one can trace or monitor it.”

A flash of something–hurt, perhaps?-crossed Ethan’s face before his expression hardened. “Are you trying to distance yourself from me, Miss Morgan?”

“No,” she replied bluntly. “I’m trying to keep you safe. The more you’re seen with me, the more attention you’ll

attract.”

His lips curved into a half–smile. “I’ve told you before–you can cause all the trouble you want. If you need anything, just call.”

“I’m serious, Ethan. Some of the people who might come looking for me won’t hesitate to use you as leverage.”

‘I can protect myself,” he said, his voice dropping lower. “And I can protect you, too, if necessary.”

Jade rolled her eyes. “Your confidence is touching, but misplaced.”

‘We’ll see.” He checked his watch. “I should go. Connor’s waiting.”

She nodded, walking him to the door,

“Thank you for the watch,” he replied, his fingers briefly touching the timepiece on his wrist. The gesture was small

but somehow intimate.

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“She’s worried about me,” Ethan said to Connor as they drove away from Jade’s new mansion. The thought was both

amusing and… oddly warming.

Connor glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “Do you think she has reason to be concerned? Her enemies must be formidable if they concern someone like her.”

Ethan considered this. Jade Morgan was an enigma–brilliant, capable, and possessing skills that defied explanation for someone her age. Yet there was something in her eyes, a wariness that spoke of past dangers.

“Maybe,” he admitted. “What do you think? Should we assign security for her?”

“If you’re asking my opinion, sir, I think we should be watching her brother Max more closely. She clearly cares. about him, and anyone wanting to get to her would target him first.”

Ethan nodded. “Double the security detail on Max, but keep it discreet. Miss Morgan values her independence and wouldn’t appreciate obvious surveillance.”

“And if she notices?”

“She’ll notice,” Ethan said with certainty. “Just make sure our people know not to engage unless absolutely

necessary.”

Connor nodded, and they drove the rest of the way in silence.

That evening, Jade got to work in her new home. She spent several hours rearranging furniture, installing high- definition pinhole cameras at strategic points, and upgrading the security system she’d already put in place. By midnight, her mansion was a fortress–not obviously so, but effective nonetheless.

She hid weapons throughout the space–a ceramic knife taped under the kitchen counter, a garrote wire inside a hollow curtain rod, a handgun behind the bathroom vanity. She marked escape routes, tested sight lines, and set up a series of silent alarms that would alert her to any intrusion.

Better safe than sorry.

Two days later, Jade found herself climbing the steps to Philip Thornton’s impressive home near campus. The Princeton president had extended multiple invitations to her over the past weeks, all of which she’d politely declined. This time, after his persistent requests, she had finally relented.

A housekeeper opened the door, ushering her into a wood–paneled dining room where Philip was already seated at the head of the table. To her surprise, Edward and Julian Sheldon were also present.

“Jade! Come in, come in,” Philip called out warmly. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve invited my grandsons to join us.”

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12:26 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 115

She nodded politely to the brothers. Edward gave her a reserved smile while Julian’s face lit up with obvious pleasure.

“I had the chef prepare something special, Philip said as Jade took her seat. “You mentioned during our last conversation that you enjoy seafood.”

As the first course arrived, she noticed Philip discreetly taking a pill from a small container. He caught her watching and smiled ruefully.

“Experimental treatment,” he explained. “For my condition.”

Jade studied the pill. “That’s Morrison’s formula XR–42, isn’t it? You should be careful with the dosage. It can cause arrhythmia if taken too frequently.”

Philip looked startled. “How did you know?”

“The color and coating are distinctive. And you’re taking it with food, which suggests gastrointestinal side effects.” She paused. “There’s a better formulation that reduces those side effects while improving efficacy. I could write it down for you if you’d like.”

Julian stared at her, fork suspended midway to his mouth. “You… know pharmacology as well?”

She shrugged. “Just the basics.”

Philip smiled, setting down his utensils. “Jade once save my life. Last time I collapsed near the shopping center entrance—I was having a heart attack. Jade happened to be passing by and administered first aid. The doctors said her quick action prevented serious damage.”

Julian’s eyes widened as he turned to Jade. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Plenty,‘ she replied, cutting into her salmon.

“A few things,” Philip repeated with a chuckle, holding up his pill bottle. “This works better than the medication I special–ordered from Morrison. Ten times better, in fact.”

Edward leaned forward, his academic curiosity piqued. “Speaking of things you’re good at–how long did it take you to solve that physics problem? The one from the online forum?”

“Fifteen, maybe twenty minutes,” she answered honestly.

The silence that followed was deafening. Edward’s jaw actually dropped.

“Twenty minutes?” he finally managed. “That problem has stumped professors for weeks!”

Jade shrugged again. “The approach was straightforward once you reconsider the quantum entanglement

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