Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 117

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Chase stared at me like I’d suggested we fly to the moon for lunch. “If getting Chris Jensen were that easy, my sister wouldn’t bother with some Harvard professor. Jensen is-”

“I know who he is,” I cut him off, my tone making it clear further explanation was unnecessary.

“You really think you can get Chris Jensen to give a lecture at Princeton?” A new voice joined our conversation, dripping with condescension.

Aurelia Sullivan stood a few feet away, her perfect blonde hair cascading over her shoulders and a smirk on her face. Her designer sundress looked immaculate despite the heat, and a small group of her usual followers hovered behind her, all wearing similar expressions of smug amusement.

“Someone from the low–income district like you wouldn’t understand how the real world works. People like Chris Jensen don’t just show up because some nobody asks them to.” She adjusted her expensive bracelet, the diamonds catching the light.

Chase stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. The sound drew the attention of everyone in the coffee shop. “Watch your mouth, Sullivan.”

Aurelia flinched slightly, her confident facade cracking.

“I don’t need your defense,” I told Chase calmly before turning to Aurelia. The coffee shop had gone quiet, everyone sensing the brewing confrontation. “What do you want?”

Aurelia recovered quickly, her smirk returning as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. “If you can get Chris Jensen to come lecture at Princeton…” She paused dramatically, glancing at her friends for support. “I’ll kneel down and call

you ‘mother.“”

“You’re not worthy,” I replied, picking up my coffee and taking a slow sip. The ice clinked against the glass. “Let’s make it simple. One million dollars.” That’ll be Jensen’s speaking fee.

Aurelia’s eyes widened momentarily before she laughed, though it sounded forced. “Fine. And if you lose, you crawl like a dog in front of the entire school.” Her eyes gleamed with malice. “During the homecoming rally. In front of

everyone.”

Chase slammed his hand on the table, making our drinks jump. “Fuck that. If she wins, you give her the million. If she loses, which she won’t, you’ll strip in the center of campus. During lunch hour.”

Aurelia’s face turned scarlet with rage, but she didn’t back down. The entire coffee shop was watching now. “Deal. But you can’t help her, Chase. No family connections. No pulling strings.” She glared at him. “I know how your type

operates.”

Chase grinned. “She doesn’t need my help.”

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12:26 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 117

As Aurelia stormed off, her entourage scrambling to keep up with her angry strides, Chase collapsed back into his chair. “Do you have any idea what you just agreed to? Chris Jensen isn’t just some lawyer. He’s never lost a case, works in legal gray areas most attorneys won’t touch, and is notoriously private. The university president tried to get him to speak once. Even the Haxton Group offered him a position in their legal department with an insane salary. He turned them all down flat.”

I pulled out my phone and typed a quick message: “Chris. Are you available?”

“Look,” Chase lowered his voice, leaning across the table. “If you can’t get him, just don’t show up that day. I’ll spread a rumor that you got sick or something. Food poisoning. No one questions explosive diarrhea.”

My phone pinged with a response, but I ignored it for now. “I don’t need to cheat.”

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Chase looked like he wanted to say more, but at that moment, our attention was drawn to a commotion across the coffee shop. Aurelia was holding up her phone, showing something to a group of students who were laughing and looking in our direction. A few were already typing on their own phones, no doubt spreading the news.

“What is she doing?” I asked, though I could guess.

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