Badass in Disguise
<b>Chapter </b><b>106 </b>
I didn’t stop to hear the rest of their spection. The president’s heart condition demanded more immediate attention than their petty rumors.
62
I mixed severalpounds together in a ss of warm water, creating a specialized cardiac stabilizing cocktail for President Thornton. The solution turned a pale amber as I stirred it with practiced precision, mentally calcting the exact proportions each ingredient needed. He sat with his eyes closed on the leather couch in his office, his breathing shallow and hisplexion pale, showing signs of the cardiac episode that had struck him earlier.
“The first wave of relief should hit in about thirty seconds,” I exined, handing him the ss. “The full effect takes
about three minutes.”
Thornton epted the mixture gratefully and took a cautious sip. His expression shifted from skepticism to surprise as the concoction began working almost immediately.
“This is remarkable, Miss Morgan,” he said, his breathing already bing more regr. “Your remedy works faster than the prescription Walter Morrison gave me. And it doesn’t have that metallic aftertaste.”
I nodded, watching him clinically. “Your heart condition is hereditary,” I stated matter–of–factly. “While it can’t bepletely cured, the rightbination of medications can minimize both intensity and frequency of episodes. The key is targeting the specific cardiac pathways affected in your case.”
Thornton straightened in his seat, eyebrows rising as he took another sip. “How did you know it’s hereditary? Even Walter Morrison–a titan in cardiac research–couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause. I’ve been to specialists across the
country.”
“Certain physiological markers and symptom patterns are obvious if you know what to look for,” I replied, deliberately vague. “The slight bluish tint to your fingernails during an episode,bined with the specific rhythm disruption suggests a gicponent.”
Thornton stared at me with newfound respect and a hint of wariness. “Miss Morgan, your breadth of knowledge continues to astonish me<b>.</b>” He shook his head. “I originally wanted to encourage you to apply to Harvard Medical or even our Physics Department, but now you tell me neither is actually your strong suit?”
“That’s correct, I confirmed, maintaining my neutral expression.
“I’m eager to see what you aplish in Computer Science, then.” Thornton smiled, the color returning to his face and his breathing nowpletely normal.
The corner of my mouth twitched upward. “People with those skills don’t typically use them for anything good.”
Thorntonughed as though I’d made a clever joke, but his eyes revealed uncertainty about whether I was actually joking. “Well, I’m grateful for your help today. This is the first time in years I’ve felt relief so quickly.”
“Thisbination will stabilize your heart rate and blood pressure for about six hours,” I exined. “But this is only
12:25 Mon, Sep <b>22 </b>
:
temporary symptom relief<b>, </b>not a treatment n. You should still follow Dr. Morrison’s long–term protocol. My form is just an auxiliary measure for emergencies.”
<b>62 </b>
As I walked <b>across </b>the quad after leaving Thornton’s office, I immediately noticed the sidelong nces and whispers<b>. </b>following me like a shadow. The sunny afternoon did nothing to warm the chill of scrutiny that trailed behind me.
“That’s her,” a blonde girl whispered, not quietly enough. “Someone saw her getting out of a ck Maybach yesterday. The license te was custom–definitely belongs to someone important.”
“I heard she’s being kept by some rich guy,” another student added, deliberately raising her voice so I could hear. “Can’t believe she’d stoop so low… especially after that whole physics genius revtion.”
“Why would she do that to herself?” a third voice chimed in. “The guy’s probably some greasy old pervert. <b>Is </b>money really that tempting? I mean<b>, </b>she seems smart enough to get by without selling herself.<b>” </b>
I kept walking, face expressionless.
‘Don’t you all have better shit to do?” a voice cut through the murmurs.
Chase Astor stood in the center of the walkway, undisguised anger shing in his eyes. The gossiping students immediately fell silent, none daring to meet his gaze. His presencemanded attention, and even those who hadn’t been participating in the gossip paused to watch.
“If I hear any more of this garbage spreading around, you’ll regret it.” His threat hung in the air as the students quickly dispersed, pretending they hadn’t been part of the conversation.
Chapter Comments
3
Write Comments
SHARE
12:25 Mon, Sep <b>22 </b>