Badass in Disguise
<b>Chapter </b><b>125 </b>
<b>92 </b>
–
Ethan unpacked breakfast containers from the cooler egg white omelets with spinach, avocado toast, and fresh fruit sd. The spread was clearly meant for two, presented in elegant containers with the Haxton family logo discreetly embossed on the lids.
“I assumed you’d need protein after your night,” Ethan exined, sliding a container toward Jade. The movement was casual, but his eyes carefully tracked Chris’s reaction.
—
A slight smile tugged at Jade’s lips as she looked at Ethan in his impable suit – charcoal gray, perfectly tailored to his broad shoulders, with a pale blue tie that brought out the intensity of his eyes. Something about his perfectly tailored appearance triggered a memory fromst night wondering what he would look like fighting in formal wear, delivering precise blows while straightening his cufflinks between punches. The mental image made her
chuckle involuntarily.
“Something funny?” Ethan asked, one eyebrow raised.
“Nothing,” Jade replied, quicklyposing her features into their usual mask of indifference. She took some of the food and passed a portion to Chris. “There’s enough here to feed an army.”
Ethan’s eyes tracked the movement with the focus of a predator watching prey. The simple act of Jade sharing his carefully prepared breakfast with Jensen felt like a small betrayal, though he kept his expression neutral.
“Jensen, <b>I </b>understand you stayed herest night?” Ethan asked, cutting into his omelet with surgical precision.
“I did,” Chris answered tly. “Is that a problem?”
“Just concerned about appearances,” Ethan responded. “Photos of your… embrace are trending. A night alone together could fuel unfortunate rumors about Morgan’s reputation.”
Chris’s expression hardened, a sh of something dangerous flickering behind his eyes. “As I said before, I’ve known Jade a long time. I don’t particrly care what people think about our rtionship.”
“Interesting,” Ethan mused. “I was under the impression that someone in your position would be more concerned with perception. The courtroom is as much about appearances as it is about facts, isn’t it?”
“Speaking of reputations,” Jade interjected, cutting a piece of omelet with surgical precision, “Mr. Haxton and 1 shared amodations for two months in Venezu this summer. Nobody seemed concerned about my reputation
then.”
Chris’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. “Two months?”
Jade nodded casually, “During the summer break.”
“You never mentioned that,” Chris said, his rxed demeanor slipping momentarily. His eyes darted between Jade and Ethan, reassessing something in his mind.
?。 (92)
Ethan couldn’t quite suppress the satisfaction he felt at Chris’s reaction. He took a slow sip of his coffee, savoring the moment like fine wine.
“It wasn’t relevant until now,” Jade replied. She turned to Chris. “By the way, this mansion belongs to Ethan.”
Chris’s gaze sharpened. “Lacking funds or real estate, Jade? Since when do you casually ept favors?”
“It’s perfect,” Jade replied. “Just what I needed, and he happened to have it avable.”
“She’s wee to stay as long as she likes,” Ethan added, not bothering to hide his smugness. “It’s no trouble. I have
several properties in the area. Mr. Jensen, if you…”
Chris checked his watch. “I should head to the airport.” He stood, straightening his jacket with a practiced flick of his wrists. “Wouldn’t want to overstay my wee in Mr. Haxton’s property.”
“I can have Connor drive you,” Ethan offered, standing as well. The movement was smooth, calcted asserting his domain.
–
a host
“No need,” Chris said with a thin smile. “I’ve already arranged transportation.” His gaze fell to Ethan’s wrist. “Nice
watch.”
“Thank you,” Ethan replied, ncing down at the timepiece. “It was a gift from Jade.”
–
Something flickered in Chris’s eyes recognition, perhaps, or warning. “Such a precious gift,” he said, his voice deceptively light. “You’d better wear it carefully, Mr. Haxton.”
Chris nodded to Jade and walked out, leaving Ethan with the distinct impression that he’d just been issued a
warning.
Ethan turned back to Jade, who was calmly eating her breakfast as if the testosteroneden exchange hadn’t happened at all.
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