Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 255

Chapter 255

ACD

The old apartment building loomed before them, its crumbling facade a testament to years of neglect. According to Mike at the auto shop, this was where the Chevrolet owner lived the same man who’d refused to pay his repair bill and threatened to run over Silas.

They were about to enter the building when lade spotted a figure approaching from the corner of the street. Even in the fading evening light, she recognized the man from the garage–medium height, receding hairline, clutching a brown paper bag that undoubtedly contained a bottle of cheap liquor.

He noticed them at the same moment, and his eyes widened in recognition. The blood drained from his face when he saw Jade, and he froze mid–step like a deer caught in headlights.

“That’s him,” Silas confirmed unnecessarily.

The man’s expression morphed from fear to panic. He dropped his paper bag, the sound of glass shattering on the pavement as the bottle broke inside. Without warning, he turned and bolted in the opposite direction.

“Hey!” Jade called out, but he was already running.

“Stand still!” Silas shouted, suddenly sprinting after him.

What happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion

The screech of tires. The dull thud of impact. A body flying through the air.

The Chevrolet owner had darted across the street without looking, desperately trying to escape. A red van appeared out of nowhere, brakes squealing as the driver tried to stop. But it was too late. The man’s body hit the pavement with a sickening sound, blood pooling beneath his still form.

Silas froze in the middle of the street, his face ashen. The van’s driver stumbled out, horror etched on his features.

“I didn’t see him! He just ran out in front of me!” the driver cried, his hands shaking violently.

Within hours, the footage was everywhere.

Hashtags like #justiceForChevroletGuy and #RichKidsGetAwayWithMurder were trending nationally.

Jade sat in the police station, scrolling through her phone as Grant interviewed Silas in another room. The comments section under every news article was filled with vitriol directed at het.

Her phone rang, and Ethan’s name flashed on the screen. She stepped into a quiet corner to answer.

“I saw the news,” he said without preamble, his voice tight with concern. “Max sent me the video. Are you okay?”

“I’m fi

fine, she replied, keeping her voice low. “It’s a mess, but nothing I can’t handle.”

“I’ve watched the edited version that’s going viral. Based on what it cuts off, I’m guessing the man was clearly the aggressor first, right?”

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Chapter 255

“Exactly.”

国

Ethan was silent for a moment, processing. Do you need me to come back? I can be on the next flight.”

“No, don’t bother. Keep doing whatever you’re doing in Europe. I might need you to make a call to the police commissioner, though.”

“Consider it done.” He paused, “Any idea who’s behind the edited video?”

jade glanced around to ensure no one was listening. “My guess? Shadow Organization.”

“They did this?” His voice dropped even lower.

“Shadow doesn’t just kill people, Ethan. Sometimes they prefer more… subtle approaches. Character assassination works just as well as actual assassination in certain circumstances.”

By morning, the complete surveillance video had been released by the police department’s official social media accounts–a Ethan’s call to the commissioner.

result of

The full video was six minutes long, clearly showing that jade had only hit the passenger side of the cheap Chevrolet, and the owner had walked away completely unharmed. It also included that it was the man who threatened Silas first. The police also released information about his criminal record–multiple DUIs, a domestic violence charge, and several counts of assault.

The police issued a statement: “An officer was attempting to locate the individual for questioning related to an ongoing investigation when the subject fled and was struck by a vehicle in an unfortunate traffic accident.”

But the narrative had already been set, and people were selective about what they believed. The comments sections were still flooded with

hate:

“Of course the police are covering for the rich girl. The system is rigged.”

The situation escalated beyond online outrage. A small group of protesters gathered outside the police station, holding signs with slogans like “Justice Cannot Be Bought” and “Princeton Protects Predators.” Another group formed outside the university gates, demanding Jade’s expulsion.

Most disturbing was the handful of people who showed up outside her apartment building, forcing her to enter through the parking garage to avoid them.

The fallout didn’t stop there. Felix Huxley, the mayor of Cloud City, was facing questions about why the “daughter of a city employee” (Frank Morgan worked in the municipal office) was receiving ‘special treatment. The university administration was fielding calls from parents concerned about having their children attend school with a “dangerous individual,”

A few Princeton students tried to organize counter–protests in Jade’s support, but they were quickly shouted down and labeled as “privileged elitists defending their own

Jade was sitting in Philip Thornton’s office, discussing the situation, when his assistant rushed in.

“Sir, Archer Sullivan is at the front gate. Hes… well, he’s causing a scene,

Philip raised an eyebrow. “What kind of scene?”

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Chapter 255

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