Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 20

Max carefully examined the six pages of Jade’s solution, marveling at the elegant mathematical proofs and precise formulas his sister had written. The quantum alignment paradox that had stumped professors at Princeton for months was solved with such clarity that it almost seemed simple–though Max knew better.

“This is going to change everything,” he whispered to himself, reaching for his phone.

With careful precision, Max photographed each page, making sure the lighting was perfect and every equation was clearly visible. He checked each image, zooming in to ensure even the smallest

notation was legible before uploading them to the Princeton Physics Forum.

Unlike his usual detailed posts, Max added no introduction, no commentary, no title–just six high- resolution images of Jade’s handwritten solution.

Three hours later, a junior physics major at Princeton was the first to notice the post. The student, bleary–eyed from an all–night study session, almost scrolled past before the equations caught his attention. He paused, blinked, and leaned closer to his screen.

“Holy shit,” he muttered, suddenly wide awake.

The student spent twenty minutes checking the work, following each logical step with growing amazement. His fingers trembled slightly as he typed the first comment:

“This solution looks completely sound. The approach is unlike anything I’ve seen before, but the math checks out. This is absolutely mind–blowing.”

He tagged Professor Edward Sheldon, then shared the post to several physics Discord servers. Within minutes, notifications began flooding in as students and physics enthusiasts from across the country discovered the post.

“Is this for real? I’ve been working on this problem for weeks!”

“I checked the quantum field calculations three times. They’re correct. Whoever did this is a genius.*

Wait, look at the poster’s profile. Says they’re only SIXTEEN? That can’t be right.”

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“Sheldon’s team has been working on this for MONTHS. How did some high schooler crack it?”

The post climbed rapidly to the top of the forum, drawing in hundreds of comments and thousands

of views.

Max refreshed the page for what felt like the hundredth time in twenty minutes. His eyes widened as he saw the post had now accumulated over two thousand comments and discussions.

“Holy crap,” he whispered, scrolling through the avalanche of responses. “Jade, you did it.”

He smiled to himself, imagining the look on the Princeton admissions officers‘ faces when they realized who had solved their impossible challenge. His sister would get admitted.

In his laboratory at Princeton University, Professor Edward Sheldon was hunched over a whiteboard

covered in equations when his colleague burst through the door.

“Edward! Edward, you need to see this!” The professor’s face was flushed with excitement, tablet clutched tightly in his hand.

Sheldon turned, irritation at being interrupted quickly fading at the sight of his colleague’s expression. “What is it?”

“That quantum alignment paradox–the one you’ve been working on for months–someone’s solved

it!”

Edward’s tired eyes suddenly sharpened with interest. He set down his marker and reached for the

tablet. “Let me see.”

As he scrolled through the elegant solution, the exhaustion that had been weighing on his features

melted away.

“Max! Dinner’s ready!”

The call from downstairs interrupted Max’s trance–like state as he monitored the exploding activity on his forum post. He reluctantly tore his eyes away from the screen.

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“Coming!” he called back, missing the private message that had just arrived from Edward Sheldon.

For the past few weeks, Jade had been taking Max out to eat at nice restaurants, away from the tense atmosphere at home. Their mother had started cooking again, though she never bothered to call Jade to the table. It was always Max who went to get his sister.

He hurried to Jade’s room, knocking on her door with barely contained excitement.

“Jade! Mom made dinner,” he said, then lowered his voice.

The dining table was set with mismatched plates and worn cutlery. Linda slammed down a pot of pasta in the center, her face pinched with worry and frustration.

“The electric bill is due next week,” she announced without preamble as everyone took their seats. “And the water company sent another notice. We’re behind on payments again.”

Frank Morgan sighed heavily, pushing his pasta around his plate. “The factory cut m They’re talking about more layoffs next month.”

-ain.

“Perfect,” Linda muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Just perfect.”

Max glanced nervously between his parents. Jade sat silently, her expression unreadable as she methodically ate her food.

Linda’s sharp gaze suddenly fixed on Jade. “You’ve been spending money lately, haven’t you? New phones, clothes, eating out…” Her voice turned sickeningly sweet. “Since you seem to be rolling in cash these days, maybe you could help your family out a little?”

The table fell silent. Max watched his sister carefully, wondering how she would respond.

“What’s your PayPal?” Jade asked calmly, setting down her fork.

Linda blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such a straightforward response. She fumbled for her phone, pulling up her account information.

Jade took out her phone, tapped a few times, and set it back down. “I’ve sent you five hundred dollars.”

Linda’s face lit up momentarily as she checked her account, but her expression quickly soured.

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“That’s it? Five hundred? Your phone alone cost over a thousand dollars. Not to mention all those designer clothes and fancy restaurants.” Her voice rose with each word. “You’re giving us scraps while you’re out there living like a princess!”

Jade met her gaze coolly. “That’s for groceries and utilities for Max and me. It’s our share of household expenses.”

“Your share?” Linda’s face reddened. “I’m your mother! Everything you have belongs in this household!”

“Linda,” Frank started, his voice weary. “The kids are entitled to-”

“Shut up, Frank!” Linda snapped. “Don’t you dare defend her selfishness!”

Jade set her utensils down with precise control. “How many meals have Max and I actually eaten at

this house in the past month?”

The question hung in the air, unanswered.

“The refrigerator contains expired dairy products and processed junk food,” Jade cor steady and cold. “Max and I haven’t seen a proper piece of meat in this house for days. So yes, five hundred dollars more than covers our minimal impact on your grocery bill.”

her voice

Linda’s face contorted with rage. “How dare you speak to me like that! After everything I’ve done for

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