Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 93

Author’s POV:

Max Morgan’s phone buzzed persistently as he limped out of Cloud City High’s late study hall. The screen showed three missed calls and five text messages, all from his sister Emily. He frowned, slowing his already cautious pace.

Emily never called him. Not unless she wanted something.

He swiped open the latest message: Hey Maxie, just checking how you’re doing. Do you need some money for the

weekend?

Max snorted. Emily offering money? Something was definitely wrong. The last time she’d “loaned” him cash, she’d charged him 20% interest and collected in front of his friends, calling him a charity case.

His phone rang again. Emily.

“What do you want?” Max answered bluntly.

“God, Max, is that any way to talk to your sister?” Emily’s voice was unnaturally sweet. “I just wanted to check on

you.”

“You’ve never ‘just checked‘ on anyone in your life.” Max shifted his backpack, wincing as its weight pulled on his

sore shoulder. “What’s going on?”

Emily sighed dramatically. “Fine. I need help with a physics problem. For my scholarship application.”

“You hate physics.”

“Yes, and I need this scholarship. The committee specifically requested I solve this problem set.”

Max’s interest was piqued despite his suspicion. “Send it over.”

His phone pinged with an attachment, Max opened it, squinting at the equations that filled his screen. His eyebrows rose higher with each line,

“Emily, this isn’t high school physics. It’s not even regular college physics. What the hell kind of scholarship is this?”

“It’s… specialized, Emily said vaguely, “Can you solve it or not?”

Max shook his head even though she couldn’t see him. “No way. This is quantum mechanics or something. Way beyond me,”

“Maybe Jade could help?” Emily suggested, her voice suddenly bright. “She’s in computer science, right? They do complicated math.”

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12:22 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 93

“Then ask her yourself.”

:

“We’re not exactly on speaking terms right now,” Emily admitted. “Look, if you help me with this, we can split the scholarship money. Fifty–fifty.”

“You want me to be your go–between with Jade?” Max laughed. “No thanks. I’m not getting involved in whatever mess you’ve created.”

Max, please-”

He hung up, tucking his phone away. Whatever Emily had gotten herself into, it wasn’t his problem.

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The next day, Emily paced nervously outside the Princeton physics building. Her palms were sweaty, and the folded papers in her pocket felt like they were burning a hole through the fabric. When she spotted Orion Miller walking across the quad, she straightened her posture and forced a bright smile.

“Orion! Hey!” she called, waving enthusiastically.

Orion looked up, clearly surprised that Emily Morgan was addressing him. They’d barely spoken since orientation week. “Emily, right? What’s up?”

“Just wanted to say hi.” She fell into step beside him. “Did you know my sister Jade got into Princeton too? She’s in the computer science department.”

“Yeah, everyone knows,” Orion said, his interest visibly piquing. “She’s basically the talk of campus right now.”

“She’s changed so much since high school,” Emily continued. “Got skinny, got pretty. You probably wouldn’t even recognize her.”

Orion nodded slowly. “I’ve seen her around. She’s… different.”

“She had such a crush on you in high school, you know,” Emily said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “She was devastated when you rejected her.”

Orion frowned. ‘We barely spoke,”

“That’s because she was too nervous to approach you directly,” Emily lied smoothly. ‘She’s probably still too

embarrassed to talk to you now. But I bet she’d be thrilled if you reached out.”

“You think?‘ Orion looked thoughtful.

“Definitely. With your looks and brains? She’d say yes in a heartbeat.” Emily patted his arm. You should ask her out. Before someone else does.”

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Chapter 93

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As Orion walked away with a contemplative expression, Emily smiled to herself. If Jade was happy about reconnecting with her high school crush, maybe she’d be willing to help with that impossible physics problem Edward Sheldon had given her. The chancellor and physics department were all waiting for her solution, believing she was some kind of genius. If she failed now, she’d lose everything.

Jade was heading to the engineering building when she noticed a small crowd gathering in the corridor ahead. Instinctively, she scanned for exits and threats before forcing herself to relax. Just college drama, she reminded herself. Not a security situation.

She was about to detour when she saw who was at the center: Aurelia Sullivan, flanked by two well–dressed girls, blocking her path.

“Well, if it isn’t the charity case herself,” Aurelia said loudly enough for everyone to hear. Her perfectly manicured hand held up a broken platinum chain. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Jade stopped, maintaining a neutral expression. “Excuse me?”

“Your sister Emily bumped into me yesterday and broke my bracelet.” Aurelia thrust the damaged jewelry forward. “It’s a limited edition Cartier. Worth sixty thousand dollars.”

One of Aurelia’s friends nodded vigorously. “We all saw Emily crash into her, and then the bracelet just snapped.”

“Only twenty were made worldwide,” the other friend announced loudly. “The Sullivans bought two of them.”

Whispers rippled through the growing audience. Jade glanced at the broken chain with complete disinterest.

“You could beat Emily to death and I wouldn’t care,” she replied flatly.

Aurelia’s eyes widened in mock surprise. “You won’t even help your own sister? How cold.”

“So cold,” echoed one of her friends.

Jade heard the murmurs from onlookers: “Sullivan money runs deep,” and “That new girl is gorgeous but she’s in trouble now.”

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Aurelia stepped closer, her expensive perfume overwhelming. “People from the slums like you have no manners. Apologize for your sister first, then we’ll discuss payment.”

Before Jade could respond, a commanding voice cut through the crowd.

“J! There you are.”

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