Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 179

8:17 Thu, Sep 25

Badass in Disguise

Chapter 179

97

Two days later, Princeton’s official forum exploded with activity. Two video clips had been posted by the university administration: one showing the student who had spread rumors confessing to being paid, and another featuring Catherine Sullivan admitting she was the mastermind behind the smear campaign.

The official statement from the university announced immediate expulsions for the student who created the posts and Megan Hayes, who had aided in spreading the rumors. Catherine’s two roommates received formal reprimands- their third strikes, which meant they also faced potential expulsion.

“Did you see the statement?” a girl with bright blue hair asked her friend as they walked across the quad. “Total nuclear fallout. They’re not even trying to keep it quiet.”

“Sullivan Enterprises stock dropped fifteen percent this morning,” her friend replied, clutching her textbooks tighter. “My dad says Haxton Capital is circling like sharks, ready to–oh my God.”

She stopped mid–sentence, her jaw dropping open. Across the lawn, Ethan Haxton was walking toward the economics building, his tall figure impossible to miss. Students froze in their tracks, phones immediately raised to capture the moment. His tailored charcoal suit and confident stride drew every eye on campus.

“What’s Ethan Haxton doing here?” someone whispered loudly, furiously typing on their phone.

“Probably checking on Jade,” another replied, nodding toward Jade who was walking several yards behind him, seemingly unbothered by the commotion. “Must be nice having a billionaire friend to fight your battles.”

“Look at him,” another girl sighed, watching Ethan disappear into the building. “That height, that face, that presence. Sorry, Chris Jensen, I’m officially switching teams. There’s something about the way he moves, like he owns everything his eyes land on.”

“So what exactly is Jade’s relationship with Ethan Haxton?” a freshman asked, pulling her beanie lower against the autumn chill. “That can’t just be an old family friend, right? The way he looks at her…”

‘Looks more like lovers to me,” an older student commented, adjusting her glasses.

The fallout spread beyond the university. Ethan Haxton’s appearance at Princeton topped trending topics on every social media platform. Sullivan Enterprises stock continued its downward spiral, with financial analysts predicting serious repercussions for the company’s future.

Dominic Sullivan took his wife Thalia and daughter Catherine out of the country, but the damage was done. Catherine had become the laughingstock of Cloud City’s elite circles, her name synonymous with petty jealousy and spite.

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8:17 Thu, Sep 25

Chapter 179

97

A week later, Jade stood in the arrival area of the airport, absently scrolling through her phone. She was waiting for someone important, someone she hadn’t seen in years. The flight from Russia had landed twenty minutes ago, and passengers were beginning to filter through customs.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed a commotion near the VIP arrival gate. Ethan Haxton stood there with two security personnel, his attention fixed on the arrival board. He hadn’t noticed her, his profile sharp against the bright airport lighting, eyes focused straight ahead with that characteristic intensity of his.

Interesting, Jade thought, pausing her scrolling. Who’s important enough for Ethan Haxton to personally pick up? She watched him curiously, wondering about the connection.

Her attention shifted back to the main arrival gate as passengers from the Russia flight began emerging. She scanned the faces, looking for one in particular. The crowd parted and closed like waves, familiar faces nowhere to be seen.

And then she saw him–a Slavic man with shoulder–length curly hair, dressed impeccably in designer clothes that somehow managed to look both expensive and slightly flamboyant. A Versace scarf was draped artfully around his neck. Typical, she thought with a small smile. Always the peacock.

Night spotted her immediately, his sharp eyes finding her in the crowd as if guided by radar. Without hesitation, he. dropped the handle of his sleek luggage and rushed toward her, pushing past disgruntled travelers with single- minded purpose. He gathered her into a tight embrace that lifted her off the ground.

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