Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 87

Badass in Disguise

Chapter 87

“Miss Morgan,” Ford called out as he approached. “May I have a word?”

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Jade looked up from her phone, watching as Ford strode across the grass toward her. His posture was military–rigid as always, but there was something different in his expression. Respect, maybe. Or curiosity.

“Sergeant,” she acknowledged, slipping her phone into her pocket.

He settled against the trunk of the oak tree, folding his arms across his chest. “Have you given any thought to what you’ll do after graduation?”

Jade raised an eyebrow. “I’m just starting college, Sergeant.”

“I know,” he said, “but someone with your… aptitude should be thinking ahead. The military could use someone like you. Your physical capabilities, marksmanship, psychological resilience – they’re one in a thousand.”

She kept her expression neutral. “Thanks for the career advice, but I have other plans.”

“Mind sharing what those are?”

Jade thought about Ethan’s offer to work for Haxton Enterprises after graduation. “Mr. Haxton mentioned some opportunities in his organization.”

“It would be a waste to see someone with your talents pushing papers in

corporate office.”

Jade stood up, brushing dirt from her pants. “Maybe I like the idea of pushing papers, Sergeant. It’s safer than pushing bullets.”

On the bus back to Princeton, the chatter was incessant. Snippets of conversation floated through the air, most of them about Jade.

“Did you see how Colonel Edwards called her to his office?”

‘I heard she broke some kind of camp record…”

Jade kept her gaze fixed on the passing landscape, pretending not to hear. Her phone buzzed with notifications – apparently, the freshmen had been busy posting about her “glorious achievements” on the Princeton forums. According to one thread, she was now “the pride of the Computer Science department.”

Meanwhile, in the luxurious private section of Princeton’s Elite Leisure Club, Chase Astor was enjoying his Friday evening relaxation.

“Mr. Astor,” his lackey Brian approached hesitantly, “I know you said not to bother you, but there’s something on the campus forum you might want to see.”

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12:21 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 87

Chase didn’t look up from his drink. “Unless it’s about Jade Morgan, I’m not interested.”

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“It’s about a new campus beauty,” Brian persisted, sliding his tablet across the table. “She’s been causing quite a stir among the freshmen.”

Chase sighed dramatically and glanced at the screen. His bored expression quickly changed to one of interest as he studied the photo. “Not bad,” he admitted. “What’s her name?”

“Jade Morgan, Brian replied. “Computer science freshman.”

Chase nearly choked on his drink. “Jade Morgan? Why didn’t you say so earlier? This is the girl I’ve been looking

for!”

Brian looked confused. “But… I thought you were looking for some chubby girl? This doesn’t look anything like—”

“Which dorm is she in?” Chase interrupted, already standing up.

Chase smiled, a predatory glint in his eyes. “Perfect.”

The following Monday, Jade sat in her Introduction to Computer Science class, fighting to stay awake. The professor droned on about basic programming concepts she’d mastered years ago. Two minutes in, she was already staring out the window, her mind wandering.

When the class took a short break, Jade headed to the restroom. As she walked down the hallway, a commotion caught her attention. Near the stairwell, she heard a harsh whisper followed by a pleading voice she recognized.

In the stairwell, she found Emily cornered by a tall, elegant blonde girl. The blonde’s perfectly manicured nails glinted dangerously as she jabbed her finger just inches from Emily’s face.

“Running to Edward with your fake tears after our last talk? Stay away from him,” the blonde was saying, her voice low and threatening. “He’s mine. If I see you trying to play the victim around him again, I’ll make sure everyone knows what a pathetic little liar you are.”

Emily’s eyes widened when she saw Jade. “Sis- help me…”

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