<b>Chapter </b><b>32 </b>
I sat perfectly still in Dr. Winters<b>‘ </b>office, watching her fidget behind her imposing mahogany desk. The afternoon light filtered through the blinds, casting stripes across the room that highlighted the tension hanging in the air. I kept my posture rxed, one leg crossed casually over <b>the </b>other, hands resting in myp.
Max sat beside me, his bruised face making my blood boil all over again. In the corner<b>, </b>Jason Reynolds was still whimpering, clutching his twisted knee while a school nurse hovered over him. The sound of his pain was oddly satisfying.
“My leg! You fucking broke my leg, you psycho bitch!” Jason’s voice cracked, echoing off the wood- paneled walls. “I’m the quarterback! The fucking quarterback! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? My schrship to State is gone!”
I suppressed a smile. Good. Actions have consequences, even for entitled brats like him.
Dr. Winters cleared her throat, shooting Jason a warning nce before turning her stern gaze toward me. Her fingers nervously straightened an already immacte stack of papers on her desk.
“Ms. Morgan, do you understand the severity of what you’ve done? Violence on school grounds is a serious vition of our code of conduct.” She gestured toward a framed document on the wall as if it were the Constitution itself. “This kind of behavior could result in immediate expulsion.”
I met her gaze directly, keeping my voice calm and measured. “And what about bullying a disabled student, Dr. Winters? What does your code of conduct say about that?” The hypocrisy was astounding.
Max shifted ufortably beside me. “Jason started it,” he said, his words slightly slurred from his swollen lip. “He’s been at it for weeks.” My heart ached at the sight of his injuries, fueling the cold rage I kept carefully contained.
Before the principal could respond, Jason’s voice cut through the room. “Do you know who my parents are? My dad is City Councilman Andrew Reynolds! My mom is the chief surgeon at Mercy Medical Center!” His face reddened with outrage as he pointed a shaking finger at me. “You’re finished! They’ll have you expelled! You can forget about graduating, let alone college!”
I’d faced down professional assassins and international crime syndicates in my previous life. This spoiled child thought he could intimidate me with mommy and daddy’s job titles? Pathetic.
Jason turned toward the principal, his voice dropping to a threatening tone. “Wilson, if you don’t
<b>10:06 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>17 </b>
:
deal with this psycho immediately, my dad will have the board fire you before the week is out! He practically runs this town!”
Dr. Winters<b>‘ </b><b>face </b>paled visibly as she adjusted her tie<b>, </b>beads of sweat forming along her hairline.
“Reynolds, I assure you this matter will be handled with appropriate seriousness-”
42
“What a shame,” I interrupted, allowing myself a cold smile. “Looks like your football dreams are over
with that knee. All those years of practice, wasted in an instant.” Perhaps cruel, but I wasn’t feeling particrly merciful today.
“You’re mocking me?” Jason bellowed, trying unsessfully to stand before the nurse pushed him
back down. “When my parents get here, you’ll regret ever being born! They’ll destroy you and your entire pathetic family!”
That was enough. I rose from my chair, my movements fluid and controlled. In my past life, I would have ended him for far less than what he’d done to Max. Even now, the muscle memory was there,
the knowledge of exactly where to strike to silence him permanently.
“Perhaps I should make sure you stay quiet permanently,” I said, taking a step toward him. “How about the other leg? Seems only fair to make things symmetrical.”
“Ms. Morgan, please!” Dr. Winters jumped up in panic, knocking over her coffee mug. She quickly positioned herself between us, hands raised. “Violence solves nothing! Return to your seat immediately!”
I stepped back, never breaking eye contact with Jason. I could see fear beginning to creep into his eyes beneath the anger. Good. He should be afraid.
“Dr. Winters, please call Mayor Felix Huxley.” I knew exactly which cards to y, and when.
The principal blinked rapidly, confusion evident as coffee seeped into her desk calendar. “The… the
mayor? Ms. Morgan, this is just a school disciplinary matter-”
“Now,” I said firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument. “Call him and put it on speaker.”
Max looked up at <b>me</b><b>, </b>concern written across his bruised face, His fingers nervously yed with his shirt hem. “Jade, is this really necessary? Maybe we should just-”
I gently squeezed his hand, giving him a reassuring nod. “Trust me,” I whispered.
<b>10:07 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>17 </b>
…
With trembling fingers, Dr. Winters dialed and ced the phone on her desk. After a few rings, a professional female voice answered, “Mayor’s office.”
“This is Dr. Reba Winters from Cloud City High School. I need to speak with Mayor Huxley regarding an urgent matter.”
“I’m afraid the mayor is in a meeting and cannot be disturbed,” the secretary replied smoothly.
I leaned forward. “Please tell Felix that Jade Morgan is calling. It’s an emergency.” I’d calcted correctly–less than a minuteter, Felix’s voice filled the room.
“Jade? What’s happened? Are you and Max alright?” The concern in his voice was exactly what I needed everyone in this room to hear.
<b>42 </b>
“We’ve had an incident at school,” I replied calmly. “Jason Reynolds, the son of Councilman Reynolds, has been bullying Max because of his disability. When I intervened, things escted. Now they’re threatening to have me expelled and Dr. Winters fired.”
“I’ll be there immediately,” Felix responded, just as I’d expected. “Stay where you are. I’ll make sure you’re both safe.”
Jasonughed, though it came out as more of a pained wheeze. “Ooh, I’m so scared. You know the mayor<b>, </b>big deal.” He shifted, wincing as his leg moved. “My father is a city councilman. My mother is the best surgeon in this city. Who do you think you are?”
<b>I </b>merely smiled, enjoying theing revtion.
<b>I </b>spoke into the phone again. “Felix, you don’t need toe yourself. Just give Councilman Reynolds and his wife a call.” I paused before adding my coup de grace. “Tell them if they can’t handle this situation appropriately, you’ll report the matter to Mr. Haxton.”
There was a moment <b>of </b>silence before Felix responded, “Understood, Jade. I’ll contact the Reynolds family immediately.”
The call disconnected with a soft beep. Dr. Winters stared at me with newfound wariness, clearly reassessing who exactly was sitting in front of her.
Max’s eyes darted between me and the phone, a mixture of awe and concern in his expression. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then thought better of it, settling back in his chair.
10:07 Wed, <b>Sep </b>17
Badass in Disguise
<b>Chapter </b><b>33 </b>