<b>Chapter </b><b>39 </b>
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Author’s POV:
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<b>42 </b>
The silence in the hospital room stretched like a rubber band after Jade’s blunt rejection. Connor Haxton’s face twitched with barely concealed indignation. In his mind, this high school nobody was disying shocking arrogance, turning down an opportunity thousands would kill for without a second thought. Little did he know that she was his much–admired idol X, the legendary hacker he’d been obsessing over for years.
“It was presumptuous of me,” Ethan Haxton said smoothly, his expression betraying nothing. His voice remained pleasant, though he studied Jade with renewed interest. Most people fell over themselves to gain his favor, yet this teenager dismissed his offer like it was nothing.
Jade took a sip of water, suppressing a smile. “Presumptuous? You are dreaming too big, Haxton.*
“I should be going,” Jade said, standing up. “I need to get back to Cloud City.”
“So soon?” Philip Thornton asked, clearly disappointed. “You’ve barely been here.”
“I got what I came for,” Jade replied. Her reason being here had been straightforward: meet the Princeton president andy groundwork for Max’s future admission to the physics department.
“Before you leave, could I at least get your contact information?” Thornton asked. “Princeton would
be fortunate to have someone with your talents.”
Jade considered for a moment, then shook her head. “No need. I’ll definitely get into Princeton. See you on September 1st.” She quickly jotted down a number on a notepad by Philip’s bed, then nodded a farewell to everyone in the room.
<b>As </b>she walked out, Ethan’s eyes narrowed on the notepad. The handwriting looked strangely familiar <b>– </b>confident strokes with a distinctive nt, a certain ir to how she formed the numbers.
‘If you’ll <b>excuse </b>me,” Ethan said, rising abruptly from his chair. “I need to go.”
Connor gave him a questioning look, immediately standing as well.
Ethan nodded toward the door, and both men made their exit without further exnation.
As they left<b>, </b>Philip’s phone began to ring. He reached for it with a slightly confused expression, watching the two men’s hasty departure.
<b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>17
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<b>42 </b>
In the hushed corners <b>of </b>Princeton University’s physics building<b>, </b>excited whispers bounced between students like particles in a quantum field.
“Did you hear? They say the forum genius is actually here on campus,” a grad student said, clutching hisptop.
“Seriously?” his friend replied. “The one who solved Sheldon’s impossible problem?<b>” </b>
“Yeah, and get this–apparently it’s some high school girl. She solved in two months what Sheldon couldn’t crack in six.”
“Bullshit,” another student chimed in. “No high schooler could understand quantum mechanics at that level.”
“The proof was wless though. Even Sheldon admitted it.”
In a quiet corner of the university coffee shop, Edward Sheldon leaned forward eagerly, his eyes bright with curiosity as he studied Emily Morgan. The brilliant young professor could barely contain his excitement at finally meeting the person who had solved his quantum alignment paradox. Emily, meanwhile, looked nervous, fidgeting with her sleeve as she avoided his intense gaze.
“I’d love to see your draft workings,” Edward said. “Your approach to the quantum alignment problem was revolutionary.”
Emily’s smile faltered. “Oh, I don’t have them with me. I can’t find my notes anymore. I think I might have left them at home.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Edward said, disappointment evident. “Would you mind walking me through <b>your </b>thought process instead? Particrly that brilliant leap you made in section three?”
“I…” Emily nced around the café, buying time. “It took me two months to work it all out. I’m kind of exhausted from thinking about it, honestly.”
Edward nodded, though his enthusiasm didn’t diminish. “Physics can be mentally draining. Maybe we could discuss something else? Are you interested in string theory as well?”
Emily seized the opportunity to change topics. “Actually, I’d rather hear about your work. Someone
<b>10:09 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>17
<b>as </b>aplished as you must have fascinating projects.” She leaned forward, batting her eyshes
slightly.
“That’s very kind,” Edward said with a polite smile, “but I’m really fascinated by your approach. Perhaps you could just exin the initial concept? How did you first approach the problem?”
Emily’s hands tightened around her cup. “It’s… hard to exin. I just sort of… saw the pattern.”
Edward’s brow furrowed slightly. “But surely there was a methodological approach<b>? </b>The quantum alignment paradox isn’t something one just ‘sees‘.”
“Of course,” Emily said, her voice rising slightly. “I just meant… I work intuitively first, then build the mathematics around it.”
442
“Interesting,” Edward said, reaching for hisptop. “Since you’re here, would you mind helping me with another problem I’ve been working on? It’s rted to your solution, actually.”
Emily’s eyes widened in panic.
Before she could respond, a server passing by their table tripped, sending a ss of iced coffee cascading onto Emily’sp. The cold liquid soaked through her pale blue designer dress<b>, </b>creating an expanding brown stain.
Emily’s body went rigid, her lips pressing into a thin line as she suppressed her initial reaction to scream. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge of the table.
<b>“</b>Your dress,” Edward said, quickly offering his napkin.
“<b>It’s </b>fine,” Emily managed through clenched teeth, a forced smile stered on her face. “These things
happen.”
“I’m so sorry, miss,” the server stammered, frantically grabbing more napkins. “The café will cover any cleaning costs.”
“This is a $450 Marchesa dress,” Emily said, her voice controlled but trembling with rage. She dabbed at the stain with mechanical movements, her eyes cold.
Edward watched her carefully, noting the fury that radiated from her despite herposed words<b>. </b>
“Perhaps we should continue this another time,” he suggested gently. “You should get that cleaned as soon as possible.”
<b>10:09 </b>Wed<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>17
“Yes,” Emily said quickly, gathering her things with shaking hands. “I’ll be in touch. Soon<b>.</b><b>” </b>
42
Back at the hotel, Emily furiously scrubbed at the coffee stain on her dress, but the brown mark only seemed to spread further into the delicate fabric.
“Damn it!” she cursed, throwing the dress into the trash can. “It’s ruined!”
Linda Morgan rushed over, fishing the dress out of the garbage. “What are you doing? This cost <b>$</b>280
on clearance! I had to use next month’s electric bill money for this<b>!</b><b>” </b>
<b>“</b><b>It’s </b>stained, Mom,” Emily said, exasperated. “I can’t wear it again, especially not around Edward.”
Linda inspected the dress with desperate hands. “Maybe we can get it dry cleaned. Or I could try scrubbing it myself.<b>” </b>
“Just forget it,” Emily muttered, copsing onto the bed. “Today was a disaster anyway. That
professor kept asking questions I couldn’t answer. He wanted me to exin the solution ‘process<b>.</b>‘ He
almost seemed suspicious.<b>” </b>
Linda barely registered her daughter’s words, holding the dress up to the light and examining the
stain with intense concentration. “If we soak it in cold water and baking soda first, then use hydrogen peroxide…”
Meanwhile, in Cloud City, Max stared at his empty desk in frustration. His physics notebook–the
one containing all his quantum solutions and notes from Jade–was nowhere to be found. He’d
searched his room for hours, checking every possible location.
“This doesn’t make sense,” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. “It was right here two days ago.”
Badass in Disguise
<b>Chapter </b><b>40 </b>