Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 248

Chapter 248

For several days, Ethan Haxton had been unusually attentive to his phone, The Princeton social media platform had been buzzing with posts about Jade and the new student, Silas Murphy. One post claimed she’d loaned Silus her notes. Another mentioned seeing her in line for his cafeteria window. The most recent one reported seeing Silas getting into Jade’s car.

Ethan scrolled through the comments, his expression unreadable. Connor watched him from the corner of his eye, trying to gauge his boss’s reaction to these developments.

“Connor,” Ethan said suddenly, setting down his phone. “What’s my schedule for this evening?”

“You have the monthly physical at the medical center at 6:30, Connor replied promptly.

Ethan nodded and typed out a text to Jade: Free after your last class. Coming to see you

Her reply came a few minutes later: Have something to do. I’ll see you later.

al center. I’ll go to Jade’s afterward,” Ethan said, his voice controlled.

“Let’s head to the medical

During the drive, Connor kept stealing glances at Ethan, trying to read his mood. Ethan caught him looking and raised an eyebrow

“What is it?” Ethan asked, his voice edged with ice.

Connor swallowed hard. “Nothing, sir.”

The hospital was crowded when Ethan arrived for his monthly check–up. As he and Connor stepped into the elevator, Ethan noticed a familiar figure at the end of the hallway–lade, walking alongside a tall, thin young man. Even from a distance, Ethan recognized Silas from the social media posts

“Sir?” Connor asked, noticing Ethan’s sudden stillness.

Connor followed Ethan’s gaze and spotted Jade disappearing into an elevator with Silas. Understanding dawned on his face.

By the time they reached the fourth floor, the elevator doors were just opening

Ethan stepped out, his expression surprised as he spotted Jade standing there alone.

“Ethan,” she said, her voice revealing nothing. “What are you doing here?”

“Monthly check–up,” he replied smoothly, though his eyes searched behind her for Silas. “And you? Are you feeling unwell?”

She shook her head. “Just visiting

e someone.”

The young man with you?” Ethan asked, his tone carefully casual,

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12:28 Sat, Sep 27

Chapter 248

“His mother,” Jade clarified. “She has kidney failure. She’s been admitted.”

“And the young man? A friend of yours?”

Jade tilted her head, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Are you having an age crisis, Ethan? He’s just a classmate.”

“I’m not concerned about a teenager, Ethan said with a dismissive smile. “Where is he now?”

“He left,” she replied simply.

re me?” Ethan’s mouth curved into a satisfied smile.

“You asked him to leave before me?”

“Yes.”

They stood in the crowded hospital lobby, people rushing past them on all sides. Ethan studied her face, searching for something- perhaps a hint of what she was hiding.

“This new classmate,” Ethan said. “You seem to be taking a special interest in him.”

Jade met his gaze steadily. “Maybe I am.”

Ethan’s eyes

narrowed slightly, but before he could respond, a group of visitors pushed between them, forcing them apart. When the crowd cleared, Ethan reached out and took her hand, guiding her through the throng toward a quieter section of the corridor.

She didn’t pull away, letting him lead her through the crowd, her face betraying nothing. “Did you need something?” she asked once they were in a less congested area.

“No,” Ethan admitted, still holding her hand. “I just haven’t seen you in a few days.”

“How are

your eyes?” he asked, leaning closer to examine her face. “Can you see clearly now?”

“Yes,” she replied, meeting his intense gaze.

For a moment, they stood there in silence, surrounded by the chaos of the hospital yet somehow separate from it.

Connor approached them hesitantly. Til go get the car.”

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