<b>Chapter </b>101
C
I slid into the sleek Maybach’s passenger seat, the cool leather embracing me as Connor started the engine. Ethan Haxton himself was seated in the back, <i>his </i>expression unreadable as always.
“You’re still wearing it,” Ethan observed, his eyes fixed on my wrist.
I nced down at the watch Max’d given me. “I am.”
The realization of how inappropriate this whole situation was suddenly hit me. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have called you. I could’ve borrowed a car from a ssmate. Your current… position makes this awkward.”
“My position?” Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“I just couldn’t get a flight back,” I exined, ignoring his question. “I’ll buy a car when I get back to Princeton. Something practical for emergencies.”
“What position are you referring to?” Ethan pressed, leaning forward slightly. His green eyes locked with mine in the rearview mirror, a flicker of genuine curiosity visible beneath his usualposed exterior.
I sighed. “The Sullivan heiress? Your engagement? It’s all over campus.”
Connor’s eyes flickered to the rearview mirror, watching our interaction with poorly disguised interest. His fingers tapped against the steering wheel, a subtle tell that he found our conversation entertaining.
“Ah, that.‘ Ethan’s face rxed. “My family does want an alliance with the Sullivans. A business merger sealed with. marriage–very medieval, isn’t it?” His lips curved into a sardonic smile. “I’ve already declined the arrangement.”
“Oh.‘ I kept my tone neutral, focusing on the road ahead. Why should I care who Ethan Haxton married? It was irrelevant to me. Still, something in my chest loosened at his words–probably just relief that I wouldn’t have to navigateplicated social dynamics if I needed his help again.
“How did you hear about it?” Ethan asked after a moment of silence. He shifted in his seat, straightening the cuff of
<b>his </b>tailored shirt–a nervous habit I’d noticed before.
School gossip. Chase Astor mentioned it. Said you were his sister’s leftovers or something equally charming.”
Connor coughed, clearly suppressingughter. The sound filled the car’s luxurious interior as his shoulders shook slightly. Ethan’s expression darkened momentarily, his jaw tightening just enough to be noticeable.
“And you spend time with Chase Astor because…? His tone was carefully controlled, but I caught the edge beneath it. Interesting that the name could provoke such a reaction from someone asposed as Ethan Haxton.
<b>I </b>shrugged. “He’s decent. Stands up for people when it matters. I remembered how Chase had positioned himself
between me and Aurelia Sullivan.
“Decent,” Ethan repeated, as if testing the word. He leaned back, his fingers drumming a thoughtful rhythm against the leather seat. “Chase Astor and decent aren’t words I often hear in the same sentence.”
Connor suddenly spoke up. “I heard you saved me in Venezu. Strange, though–I was there when the extraction team arrived, and I don’t remember seeing you among them.” His eyes met mine in the mirror, searching and suspicious.
Ethan leaned closer to me, his voice dropping to a whisper. “He’s Q from the hacker leaderboards. Considers you his idol. If you don’t want him pestering you constantly, I suggest not confirming anything.” His breath was warm against my ear, carrying the faint scent of expensive cologne.
I nodded slightly, turning to Connor. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I kept my expression perfectly
nk.
Connor studied me for a moment before focusing back on the road.
“Why the rush to get back to Cloud City?” Ethan asked, changing the subject. His tone was casual, but his eyes remained attentive, cataloging my every reaction.
“My sister Emily. She stole my solutions and pretended they were hers. Now that I’ve exposed her, I’m worried about Max–my brother.” My hands tightened involuntarily as I mentioned Max.
“Your brother?” Ethan’s interest seemed to sharpen. “Is he in danger?” The concern in his voice sounded genuine, surprising me. I’d expected business interest from Ethan Haxton, not personal concern.
“Not physically. But my mother will be furious about losing Emily’s schrship and admission. Max will be her easiest target.”
“I can have a helicopter ready in thirty minutes,” Ethan offered immediately, already reaching for his phone. “We could be there in under an hour.”
I reached out, stopping his hand. “No need. Max will be fine. He’s her biological son, after all.”
Connor cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “Two hours to Cloud City, sir,” he reported, his tone professional but his eyes knowing in the rearview mirror.
We drove into my neighborhood three hourster, the Maybach drawing stares from every direction. Neighbors peeked from behind curtains and some even stepped onto their porches for a better look. The contrast between the luxury vehicle and the worn–down houses couldn’t have been more stark.
Is that the Morgan girl?” Mrs. Peterson from across the street didn’t even try to lower her voice. “Lord, she looks different. Lost all that weight and riding in a fancy car now.”
“Heard she got into Princeton,” another neighbor chimed in. “Full schrship too.”
“Thanks for the ride,” I said, opening the door before Connor coulde around to do it for me.
Stepping out, I heard raised voices from inside my house. The front yard was littered with trash, and Linda’s shrill voice carried through the open windows.
<b>62 </b>
I pushed through the creaking gate and made my way to the porch. Through the window, I saw Linda standing over Max, who was hunched on the floor. Frank stood nearby, his face etched with worry but doing nothing to intervene.
“You’ve ruined everything!” Linda screamed, her hand connecting with the side of Max’s head. “Your sister had a full schrship! Princeton was going to revoke it anyway because of your message!”
Max’s eyes were wet with unshed tears, his thin body trembling as he tried to shield himself with one arm. His leg brace made it impossible for him to dodge Linda’s strikes.
“It’s not his fault Emily’s a fraud,” I heard Max say, his voice barely audible. “Jade deserved to know-
Linda’s hand raised again. “Don’t you dare defend her! That ungrateful-”
I mmed the door open with enough force to crack the frame. Linda whirled around, momentarily shocked into silence.
“Get your hands off him,” I said, my voice deadly quiet as I crossed the room in three strides.
I shoved Linda aside, hard enough to send her stumbling backward into the couch. Reaching down, I grasped Max’s arm and pulled him to his feet.
He looked up at me, tears finally spilling over. “Jade,” he whispered, his voice cracking on my name.
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