Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 297

Chapter 297

Author’s POV:

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The early morning investment meeting dragged on with projections and quarterly reports, but Ethan Haxton seemed different today. His usual laser focus was replaced by something lighter–almost buoyant. The board members exchanged glances as their CEO smiled faintly, occasionally glancing at his laptop screen.

“And that concludes our analysis of the Asian markets,‘ said the CFO, watching Ethan curiously. “Mr. Haxton, would you like to add anything?”

Ethan looked up, momentarily disoriented. “No, that’s… that’s fine. Good work, everyone.”

His fingers tapped absently on the table as the presentation continued. The brief meeting with Jade earlier had left him in an unusually good mood. But as he sat there, replaying their kiss in his mind, something clicked into place. Her words, her demeanor, the unusual intensity of that goodbye–it all suddenly made sense.

His expression darkened, the smile vanishing completely. The warmth in his eyes cooled to calculation as realization dawned on him.

“Let’s take fifteen,” he announced abruptly, closing his laptop. “I need to make a call.”

Ethan barely made it back to his office before pulling out his phone. He checked the time–Jade should be at Princeton by now. He typed quickly: At school yet?

The response came faster than expected: At the airport.

Ethan’s brow furrowed. Going where?

A few seconds passed before her reply appeared: Going to Siwa Oasis. Finding Shadow Organization to settle some accounts.

The kiss. Now it confirmed what he’d just realized–that wasn’t a casual goodbye; it was a farewell. That’s why she’d seemed melancholy last night but purposeful this morning. Why she’d indulged him so completely.

A heaviness settled in Ethan’s chest as he typed: Going for the final reckoning?

I’d love to storm its headquarters directly. But it’s not that simple. I’ll cut off their limbs first, then take their head.

Last night’s explosion in Princeton must have been one of Shadow’s outposts. She’d been cleaning house, minimizing threats before leaving.

Ethan sent her a number: I have people in Siwa Oasis. Call this number if you need weapons or manpower.

After all, he was one of the largest arms dealers in that region.

Her reply made the corner of his mouth twitch: Love you.

Something warm bloomed in his chest despite the worry. Waiting for you to come back.

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8:20 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 297

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He stared at the phone for a long moment, hoping for another message, but nothing came. The thought of lade hunting down a global assassination organization alone made his stomach clench. He’d seen what she was capable of, but he’d also seen the scars–physical and otherwise–that Shadow had left on her.

With a deep breath, Ethan tucked his phone away and straightened his tie. The board was waiting. He’d have to put on his CEO face again, even as his mind raced with contingency plans and worst–case scenarios.

The black desert rover cut through endless sand dunes, leaving transient tracks that the wind quickly erased. Jade guided the vehicle with practiced ease, her eyes scanning the horizon where the desert’s golden expanse met the cloudless blue sky.

The dashboard thermometer read 105°F, but the air conditioning kept the cabin comfortable. Occasionally, she’d pass a bedouin encampment or a solitary camel herder, but mostly it was just her, the machine, and the eternal sand.

The isolation felt familiar. Comforting, even.

After two hours, the fabled Siwa Oasis appeared in the distance–a verdant mirage of palm trees and ancient buildings surrounded by sand. Jade parked on a ridge overlooking the settlement, bathed in the amber glow of sunset. She snapped a photo and sent it to Ethan before driving down into the small town.

The narrow streets bustled with a mix of locals and the occasional tourist. Men in traditional galabiyyas lounged in front of small shops, smoking and chatting. Women carried baskets of produce and children played in the dusty alleys. But beneath the sleepy façade, lade sensed watchful eyes and carefully maintained perimeters.

She found a modest hotel with peeling paint and a faded sign, grabbed her backpack, and headed inside with Maxi trailing behind her.

The robot’s presence turned heads immediately–a white American girl with a sleek, cartoonish companion wasn’t exactly inconspicuous. Several men at the reception area followed her movements with predatory interest. One of them, a burly figure whispered something to his companion that made them both laugh.

Jade ignored them all, collecting her room key and leading Maxi up creaking wooden stairs to the third floor.

Once inside the room, she dropped her backpack onto a chair and surveyed the space–sparse furnishings, a bed that had seen better days, and a bathroom with dubious plumbing. The ceiling corners housed at least three visible cameras, and she suspected there were more hidden in the light fixtures and air vent.

“Block the signals in this room,” she instructed Maxi. “I’m taking a shower.”

“Understood,” replied the robot in Ethan’s deep, measured voice.

The bathroom’s water pressure was weak, but the cool shower felt refreshing after hours in the desert heat. Jade was midway through rinsing her hair when a knock sounded at the door.

Through the thin walls, she heard a man’s voice in heavily accented English: “Room service, miss. I bring fresh towels.”

Maxi responded in Ethan’s authoritative tone, switching seamlessly to fluent Spanish: “Leave the towels outside the door, please.”

A pause, then hurried footsteps retreating.

By the time Jade finished her shower, four more visitors had tried their luck with various excuses. Each time, Maxi’s Ethan–voiced

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Chapter 297

responses had sent them away.

Wrapped in a towel, Jade stood at the window, observing as lights began to illuminate the oasis town. In her previous life, she’d fracked Shadow operatives here. Queen of Clubs, one of SO’s highest–ranking members, had frequently visited this place. So had Selene from the

Shadow team.

This place likely concealed one of Shadow’s facilities–perhaps even QC‘ retirement sanctuary. Last lifetime, Jade had followed Selene here but never investigated further. She’d been too focused on survival then, gathering information only when necessary.

Now, she had purpose. If Selene was here, she’d start with her.

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