<b>Chapter </b><b>18 </b>
Ethan’s POV:
I stood at the floor–to–ceiling windows of my penthouse suite at the Grand za Hotel, watching the city lights of Cloud City stretch out below me like a circuit board of glowing dots. The night had settled, casting a veil of darkness that mirrored the shadowy matters upying my thoughts.
“So they’ve vanished without a trace?” I asked, keeping my voice level despite the concerning news.
Connor, my assistant, stood a few feet behind me. I could see his reflection in the window ss, tablet in hand, his expression grim.
“The suspicious individuals who entered Cloud City havepletely disappeared from our radar<b>, </b><b>sir</b><b>, </b>he reported. “It’s as if they’ve evaporated into thin air.”
I turned slightly, narrowing my eyes. “And your analysis?”
“Based on their movement patterns and the timing,” Connor said, scrolling through data his tablet, “I believe they’re targeting the girl who saved Alexander. Jade Morgan.”
The name hung in the air between us. I’d been unusually interested in this high school student since learning of her involvement with my nephew’s escape. Something about her didn’t add up – a teenage girl living in poverty who somehow managed to outsmart professional trackers.
“Continue searching,” Imanded. “Dead or alive, I want them found.” I paused, considering my next move. “And increase security around the Morgan girl. Discreetly.”
“Already done, sir,” Connor replied. “But there’s something else you should know. We detected members of the Arctic Fox Mercenaries‘ 791 Group in the area a few hours ago. They left shortly
after.”
My body tensed involuntarily. “Night was here? In Cloud City?” The 791 Group’smander was legendary in certain circles – efficient, ruthless, and exceedingly difficult to track. His presenceplicated matters significantly.
“We believe so, though we couldn’t confirm visual contact.”
“Find out why they were here,” I said, my tone brooking no argument. “The 791 Group doesn’t move without purpose.”
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I turned back to the window, mind working through possibilities.
As Connor turned to leave, I added, “One more thing. Contact Mayor Felix. Tell him to keep an eye on the Morgan family.”
I pulled out my phone after Connor left and sent the photo I’d taken of Jade Morgan to Alexander.
The girl in the photo looked ordinary enough at first nce, but there was something in her eyes – <b>a </b>hardness, a vignce that seemed out of ce on someone her age.
Author’s POV:
In his luxurious home across town, Mayor Felix Huxley nearly spilled his brandy when his private line rang. The caller ID made his heart skip a beat – Haxton Industries.
“Yes, yes of course!” Felix stammered, his voice pitched higher than usual. “I understandpletely. The Morgan family will have my personal attention.”
He listened intently, nodding vigorously though no one could see him. “If the girl ne- all, I’ll ensure she receives it. You have my word.”
ing at
After ending the call, Felix sank into his leather chair, mind racing with excitement. The Haxton family were personally interested in some nobody high school student from the poor side of town. This could be his golden opportunity.
“What’s their connection?” he muttered to himself, swirling the amber liquid in his ss. “Morgan… Morgan… never heard that name in any of the important circles.” He took another sip of brandy,rger this time. “Must be something significant for the Haxtons to reach out directly.”
He was already calcting how to ingratiate himself with both families. Perhaps he could invite the Morgans to some civic function? No, the Haxtons had been clear – just monitor and assist when needed, don’t interfere otherwise. He’d have to be subtle about this.
His contemtion was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening.
“Sterling? Is that you?” he called out.
His son appeared in the doorway, looking slightly disheveled. “Yeah, Dad.”
Felix frowned, setting down his ss. “Where’s Chase? I thought you were supposed to be entertaining him tonight.”
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“He told me to go find someone,” Sterling said with a shrug. “Some girl from Cloud City High.”
Felix sat up straighter, suddenly interested in his son’s social activities. “A girl? What for?”
“I don’t know. He just wanted information about her.” Sterling shifted his weight from one foot to another. “Look, if I stick with Chase like you want me to, can I get that new Porsche you promised?”
Felix nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. “Of course, son. Just keep close to Chase. The Astor family connection is important for us.”
“Fine,” Sterling replied, turning to leave before pausing. “It was weird, though.”
“What was weird?”
“The girl everyone at school talks about… they describe her as this fat, timid nobody with terrible
grades who keeps to herself.” Sterling’s brow furrowed slightly. “But when I saw her that day, she was
different. Confident. Cool. She had this… presence about her.”
“Never mind that,” Felix said dismissively.
Meanwhile, in New York, Alexander Haxton studied the photograph on his phone – the one his uncle had sent him of Jade Morgan. She looked thinner than when she’d helped him escape death. Her face was more defined now, her features more striking.
The boy walking with her caught his attention too – limping slightly, protective stance. Boyfriend, perhaps?
Alexander felt a twinge of… something. Not quite jealousy, but close. He dismissed it quickly. He’d repaid his life debt with the bank transfer. Their paths wouldn’t cross again.
With a sigh, Alexander closed the photo and turned his attention back to his recovery. The wound in his side was healing well, but the memory of how close he’de to death lingered.
Night had settled over Cloud City when Jade Morgan slipped out of the house for her evening run. The cool air felt good against her skin as her feet pounded the pavement rhythmically. Her body was responding well to the training regimen – strength returning, reflexes sharpening.
6:57 Tue, Sep 16
:
Three blocks into her run, a prickle ran down her spine. Someone was watching her. Following her.
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Jade maintained her pace, giving no outward sign she’d noticed. But her mind was cataloging details – faint footsteps twenty yards back, a shadow that moved between streetlights, the slight crunch of gravel when there shouldn’t be any.
Whoever was tracking her clearly had training, but not enough to escape her notice. In her previous life, such sloppiness would have been fatal.
Jade took a sudden turn into a narrow alley, disappearing into the shadows. She counted silently- one, two, three – then pressed her back against the brick wall, bing one with the darkness.
The footsteps approached cautiously. A figure paused at the alley entrance, hesitating.
In one fluid motion, Jade moved behind the man, her presence utterly silent until she spoke, her voice a cold whisper inches from his ear.
“Looking for me?”
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