Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139

The words hung in the air like a grenade with its pin pulled. I immediately regretted mentioning Dr. Blackwell. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me, but it was Ethan’s gaze that made my skin prickle. There was something in those green eyes–recognition, suspicion, or perhaps both.

“You know Dr. Blackwell?” Walter Morrison stepped closer, his bow tie now completely askew. The excitement in his

voice was unmistakable.

I kept my expression neutral. “I’ve heard of him.”

The disappointment that swept across the room was almost palpable. Several doctors exchanged glances, while Mrs.

Haxton made a sound that was half scoff, half sob.

“Dr. Blackwell isn’t a ‘him,” Ethan said quietly, his eyes never leaving my face. “She’s a woman. A young woman, in fact–not much older than you.”

The attending physician rolled his eyes. “Mr. Haxton, with all due respect, we’re wasting precious time on fairy tales. Dr. Blackwell is essentially a medical urban legend.”

“She is.” Ethan’s voice was soft but carried an undercurrent of steel. “I spent three months tracking her across four

countries. She existed, Doctor. And she was brilliant.”

Ethan had been looking for Dr. Blackwell? For me?

“I never met her,” Ethan continued, his gaze still locked with mine. “By the time I found where she’d been operating, she was gone. Supposedly died in an explosion in the Caribbean. His mouth twitched. “Interesting coincidence that

you mentioned her name, Miss Morgan.”

“Wait,” Connor suddenly spoke up, stepping forward. “Miss Morgan was the one who helped President Thornton at Princeton. Remember when he had that heart attack on the street? She stepped in and saved his life right there on the spot.”

Walter’s eyes widened, turning to me with renewed interest. “Philip Thornton?” His weathered face lit up with excitement. “Philip Thornton’s cardiac condition! We’ve been monitoring it for years. He could have died that day on the street. But a few days ago, he told me about the young woman who saved his life with extraordinary quick

thinking.” He looked at me with newfound reverence. “It was you.”

The attending physician snorted. “Performing emergency CPR on the street is a far cry from brain surgery on a poisoned patient.”

“I’ve made my decision,” Ethan cut in. “Miss Morgan will perform the surgery.”

“This is insanity!” the physician exploded. “She’s not even a licensed surgeon!”

“Perhaps not in this country,” Ethan replied coolly. “But I’ve seen enough to trust her skills.” He turned to the

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Chapter 139

nurses. “Prepare the operating room. Get her whatever she needs.”

‘I cannot allow this, the doctor protested. “It violates every protocol-

“I’ll take full responsibility,” Ethan interrupted. “If anything goes wrong, I’ll sign whatever paperwork is necessary.

This is our decision.”

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The doctor looked like he might continue arguing, but something in Ethan’s expression made him reconsider. With a disgusted shake of his head, he backed away.

Ethan turned to Alexander. “Take your grandmother to the waiting area. Make sure she’s comfortable.”

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