Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 376

Author’s POV:

After dinner, William Haxton led Ethan to his upstairs study, leaving Jade with Mrs. Haxton.

William closed the heavy oak door behind them and turned to his son. “Now that we’re alone, I want to know the truth about Jade’s injuries.”

Ethan remained silent, carefully considering his response. Those injuries would be obvious to even a blind person that they weren’t from any ordinary accident.

“That accident?” William continued, his voice firm but quiet.“You disappeared at the end of last year, not even showing up for Christmas or New Year’s. Then after months of silence, you return with unconscious Jade and fill our home with security personnel.”

“If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine,” William said after a pause. “I just need to know–is it over? Is she safe now?”

Ethan looked directly at his father. “Probably. She killed the leader of the Shadow Organization.”

William’s eyes widened. “What?”

His father stared at him in disbelief, his expression shifting from shock to understanding as he processed this revelation. Ethan noticed that after this conversation, William looked at Jade differently–no longer with the gaze of an elder regarding a younger person, but with the respect one shows to an equal.

Walking back to the villa through the gentle snowfall, Ethan broke the comfortable silence. “How was dinner?”

“Fine,” Jade replied.

“Did you enjoy talking with my mother?”

“Yes.”

Ethan’s shoulders relaxed. “Good.” He reached into his coat pocket and handed her a red envelope. Inside was a black card.

“This was originally my father’s welcome gift for you,” Ethan explained. “But he decided it wasn’t grand enough, so he asked me to tell you it’s just a recovery gift. He’ll prepare a proper welcome gift later.”

He slipped the envelope into Jade’s coat pocket, then asked, “Did my mother give you something too?”

Jade raised her arm, pulling back her sleeve to reveal a stunning blue crystal bracelet on her wrist.

Ethan’s eyes widened slightly. “Do you know what it means that my mother gave you that bracelet? Did she tell you?”

“It’s pretty,” Jade replied simply.

Ethan’s voice took on a careful tone. “Both my sisters–in–law have the same one.”

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11:41 Wed, Oct 8

Chapter 376

Jade arched an eyebrow. “So it’s mass–produced?”

:

We should go back and have my mother explain it properly to you,” Ethan said, slowing his pace as if ready to turn around.

‘No need. Too much trouble,” Jade replied.

“So she did explain it?” Ethan pressed.

Jade considered for a moment. “Sort of.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Sort of?”

The bracelet had been custom–made at Crystal Vault years ago, intended for the future wives of the three Haxton sons. Ethan’s two sisters–in–law had received theirs after their engagements. The one on Jade’s wrist was the last, which Mrs. Haxton had once feared would remain in her possession forever.

“Yes,” Jade replied.

Ethan smiled. He took her hand, feeling how cold it was. “Are you cold?”

“Yes.”

Ethan opened one side of his coat, wrapping Jade’s slender body inside it, shielding her from the wind as they continued walking under the umbrella.

Captain was waiting at the villa entrance. As soon as he spotted them approaching, he bounded across the snow to greet them, his tail wagging furiously.

Upstairs, they walked toward Jade’s room. At the doorway, she turned and asked Ethan, who was following close behind, “What, planning to sleep with me tonight too?”

“Are you going to shower and rest now?” Ethan asked.

“No.”

“I just want to spend more time with you,” he admitted.

Night was already on his way back to America. Tomorrow Ethan knew she would be busy, and he had been so absorbed in the joy of her awakening that he hadn’t had a proper conversation with her.

Jade studied him before asking, “Do we have any cold medicine in the house?”

“Yes,” Ethan replied, then realized she was concerned about him. He smiled warmly. “I’ll take some.*

He did have a slight cold, but had been too excited to notice the discomfort.

Ethan went downstairs to find medicine. After taking it, he returned to see Jade’s door open. He quickened his pace and entered the room.

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