<b>Chapter </b>124


    <b>92 </b>


    Chris Jensen. The Three Pirs‘ young leader. Golden boy of the courtroom with an undefeated record.


    And somehow, this legal prodigy had connections to Jade Morgan.


    First, he’d lowered himself to handle what amounted to a high school cheating case for her. Then he’d flown back from Toronto overnight because of a bet. They’d gotten drunk together at a bar, fought side by side, and now Jensen had spent the night in her mansion.


    Princeton’s gossip forums were already buzzing with spection about their rtionship. “Old friends,” they’d been called. “Reunited acquaintances.” Photos of their embrace circted wildly.


    Ethan’s jaw tightened. Something wasn’t adding up. Jensen didn’t strike him as the type to maintain purely tonic rtionships with women, especially ones as striking as Jade. And Jade herself was notoriously selective about who she allowed into her circle.


    The atmosphere in Jade’s living room crackled with unspoken tension. Jade sat on the couch, lookingpletely unfazed despitest night’s events. Her hair was pulled back in a casual ponytail, highlighting the sharp angles of her face. Chris had strategically positioned himself next to her, leaving Ethan to take the seat opposite them.


    Chris lounged with practiced ease, his designer suit slightly rumpled from the night before but still emanating an air of authority. The way he sat – slightly angled toward Jade, one arm stretched across the back of the couch behind


    her – spoke of familiarity and territorial im.


    “To what do I owe the pleasure of this early visit, Mr. Haxton?” Jade asked, her voice neutral, eyes clear and alert despite what must have been ate night.


    Ethan ced the cooler bag on the coffee table. “I thought you might appreciate something for the hangover. And breakfast.”


    “Thoughtful,” Jade said, her expression unreadable. She turned to Chris. “I’m surprised you haven’t headed back to Toronto yet.”


    Chris shrugged, his posture rxed but alert. “No rush.” His eyes flickered briefly to Ethan before returning to Jade. “Some things are worth sticking around for.”


    ‘I saw your lecture was quite the hit yesterday,” Ethanmented, deliberately keeping his tone casual. “Princeton’s forums can’t stop talking about it.”


    “People are easily impressed,” Chris replied, his eyes never leaving Ethan’s. “Although I must admit, academia has its charms when the right invitationes along.”


    Jade reached for the cooler bag. “What’s in here?”


    “Special blend. Works wonders after a night of drinking,” Ethan exined. “Contains electrolytes, B vitamins, and a few proprietary ingredients. Developed specifically for Haxton executives after particrly demanding client


    dinners.”


    <b>92 </b>


    “I wasn’t drunk,” Jade stated matter–of–factly, examining the bottle with clinical interest. She handed the bottle to Chris. “But he might need it.”


    Chris reached for the bottle, but Ethan’s hand shot out, pressing down on Chris’s wrist. The movement was swift, calcted not aggressive enough to be threatening, but firm enough to establish dominance.


    —


    “That’s an exclusive form,” Ethan said smoothly. “Not mass–produced. Worth about five hundred per bottle.”


    Chris’s eyes narrowed, a hint of amusement ying at the corners of his mouth. “Mr. Haxton is feeling possessive this morning.” He leaned back, making no effort to free his hand. “Or is it just that you’re reluctant to share with me specifically?”


    “Just rifying its value,” Ethan replied, matching Chris’s tone. “I wouldn’t want you to underestimate what Morgan is offering you.”


    “Mr. Haxton, if you’re worried about wasting your precious drink on me,” Chris said with a hint of mockery, “don’t be. Jade and I have always shared everything.” The implication hung in the air between them. “We don’t believe in ‘mine‘ and ‘yours,‘ do we, Jade?”


    Jade watched the exchange with clinical detachment, her eyes moving between the two men like a spectator at a


    tennis match. “The drink, gentlemen?”


    1


    Ethan released Chris’s wrist, his smile not reaching his eyes. “Any friend of Morgan’s is a friend of mine. Please, help


    yourself.”


    Chris took a deliberate sip, maintaining eye contact with Ethan over the rim of the bottle. A satisfied expression crossed his face. “Impressive.”


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