Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 168

Chapter 168

Jade’s expression didn’t change. If anything, the slight furrow between her brows suggested she found the whole story annoying rather than moving.

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“If Conrad had known about you, Archer said softly, “I believe he would have lived. He would have had something to live for.” He glanced at Frank. “I can only assume that Hazel, with her poor health, felt she couldn’t care for a child

alone. That’s why she left you at the hospital.”

Frank cleared his throat. “Your mother seems pretty strong–willed,” he said to Archer. “If Jade decides to go with you, will she… will your mother treat her well?”

“I swear on my life,” Archer said firmly, no harm will come to her in our home.”

“Who said I was going anywhere with you?” Jade’s voice cut through the room like ice.

Archer blinked, surprised by her direct challenge. ‘I… Of course, it’s entirely your choice. Whether you choose to remain with the Morgans or come to the Sullivan household, we’ll respect your decision. Either way, you’re family.”

Jade’s lips curved into a cold smile.

“I just said that no matter if you’re willing to return to the Sullivan family or not, we Sullivan family will definitely reward the Morgan family for raising you,” Archer confirmed with a nod.

“You mean reward Linda for locking me in the basement when I was six because I broke her favorite mug?” Jade asked, her voice eerily calm. “Or for making me sleep on the back porch when I was nine because I got better grades than Emily and she was jealous?”

Archer’s face drained of color. “What?”

“Maybe you want to reward her for the cigarette burns on my arms when I was twelve,” Jade continued in the same conversational tone. “Or perhaps for feeding me nothing but cold cereal for a month when I was fourteen because she spent the grocery money on those fake designer purses.” She nodded toward the collection displayed prominently on the shelf.

Linda’s face had gone pale, her eyes darting nervously between Jade and Archer. “She’s lying,” she said quickly. “Teenagers always exaggerate. We had some disagreements, sure, but-”

“Ask the neighbors,” Jade suggested to Archer.

Frank had covered his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking slightly.

Archer stood up slowly, his face a mask of controlled fury. “Is this true?” he asked Linda.

Ling

abandoned her attempt at denial. “Look, raising teenagers is hard, okay? Sometimes discipline gets a little strict. Besides,” she added, her eyes calculating, “if she’s really your fancy Sullivan niece, then you owe us for taking

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Chapter 168

care of her all these years.”

“Owe you?‘ Archer repeated incredulously.

“Fifty thousand dollars,‘ Linda said, crossing her arms. “That’s my price. Fifty thousand and you can take her right

now.”

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“Linda!” Frank gasped, his head jerking up.

“Oh, don’t act shocked,” Linda snapped at him. “It’s a fair price. Fifty grand, flat rate. You give me the money, you

take her with you. Simple as that.”

Archer’s face had hardened into stone. “You’re attempting to sell a child.”

“I’m not selling anything,” Linda retorted. “I’m asking for compensation for eighteen years of food, clothing, housing. The Sullivan family is loaded–fifty grand is nothing to you people.”

“She’s not a car, Linda,” Frank said, his voice shaking.

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