<b>Chapter </b>144
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Jade stood by William Haxton’s bedside early the next morning, checking his vitals on the medical equipment that had been set up in his luxurious bedroom. The machines hummed softly in the background, a reassuring sound that told her the worst had passed.
Walter Morrison rushed into the room, nearly tripping over himself when he saw her. His eyes lit up like a kid on
Christmas morning.
“Miss Morgan! You’re still here!” He clutched his medical tablet to his chest. “I was afraid you might have left after yesterday’s… incident.”
By “incident,” he meant her passing out from exhaustion after thirty–six hours of non–stop work saving William
Haxton’s life. Not her finest moment.
“I brought something new.” Jade reached into her bag and pulled out a small case containing vials of clear liquid. “A gentler detoxificationpound. It should flush out the remaining toxins without stressing his system.”
Walter took the case reverently, examining the vials with careful fingers. “Fascinating. The molecr bnce is… perfect.” He looked up at her. “Did you develop this yourself?<b>” </b>
She nodded, checking William’s IV line. “It needs to be administered daily for ten days. By then, his system should bepletely clear.” Jade adjusted the drip. “He should regain consciousness this afternoon.”
“This <b>is </b>remarkable work.” Walter shook his head in awe. “Simply remarkable.”
“It’s nothing.” She stepped back from the bed. “Just chemistry.”
The door opened, and Ethan walked in, freshly showered and dressed in what appeared to be casual clothes for him -dark cks and a light blue button–down with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His eyes immediately found
hers<b>. </b>
‘Good morning, Jade.” His voice was warm, almost intimate. “I thought you might be hungry. Would you join me for
breakfast?”
Before she could answer, they were interrupted by footsteps in the hallway. As they stepped out of the room<b>, </b>they encountered two men–one older who bore a striking resemnce to Ethan, and Alexander Haxton.
“Uncle Ethan,” Alexander nodded, then his eyes widened when he saw Jade. “Miss Morgan?”
Ethan’s eldest brother stepped forward, his expression solemn. “You must be the young woman who saved my father’s life.” He extended his hand. “We are eternally grateful. This kind of debt… the Haxton family will not forget
it.”
Jade shook his hand briefly. “It was nothing special.”
11:12 Wed<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>24 </b>
“Nothing special?” He looked bewildered. “Dr. Morrison says you identified a toxin that stumped specialists for months and created an antidote from scratch.”
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“A debt like this…” He continued, his voice heavy with sincerity, “our family can never fully repay.”
Jade shifted ufortably. This was exactly why she typically avoided civilian entanglements. Too much gratitude, too many questions.
“Really, it was just a straightforward medical procedure.” She forced a polite smile.
Ethan cleared his throat. “Jade hasn’t eaten since yesterday. We were just heading to the dining room.”
“Of course, of course.” Ethan’s brother stepped aside. “Please, make yourself at home. Our chef will prepare anything you desire.”
Ethan ced his hand lightly on her lower back, guiding her down the hallway. She could feel his brother and Alexander watching them as they walked away.
In the dining room, sunlight streamed through floor–to–ceiling windows, illuminating a space that couldfortably seat twenty people. The table was already set with various breakfast dishes.
“Your family seems close,” shemented, helping herself to some perfectly scrambled eggs. They were fluffy and seasoned just right–the chef knew what they were doing.
“We have our moments,” Ethan replied, pouring coffee for both of them. “Do you like that kind of atmosphere? The family dynamic?”
Jade took a bite of toast spread with homemade jam. “Not particrly. I prefer solitude.” She set her fork down. “The concept of ‘family‘ doesn’t hold much significance for me.”
Ethan nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I understand that. I also prefer quieter environments.<b>” </b>
His phone rang, and he checked the screen. “Excuse me, I need to take this. Business never stops.” He stepped away from the table, walking toward the window.
Jade seized the opportunity. Quickly wiping her mouth with a napkin, she slipped out of the dining room and found her way to the front entrance. Connor Haxton was already waiting with a luxury sedan.
“Miss Morgan,” he nodded, opening the rear door for her. “Mr. Haxton asked me to drive you wherever you need to go.”
“Home, please.” She slid into the leather seat.
<b>As </b>they pulled away from <b>the </b>mansion, Jade nced back once. The truth was, she didn’t want to face the Haxton family’s gratitude.
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Ethan finished his call and returned to the dining room<b>, </b>only to find it empty. His expression shifted from confusion to understanding as he realized what had happened.
His mother burst into the room, looking around frantically. “Where is she? Where’s the girl who saved your father?”
“She left,” Ethan said simply, taking a sip of his now–cooling coffee.
“Left?” His mother’s voice rose. “Ethan, how could you let her leave? We haven’t properly thanked her!”
“She doesn’t want thanks<b>, </b>Mother.” Ethan set down his cup. “She’s… different. We’ll have other opportunities.”
“Well,” his mother huffed, taking a seat at the table. “I want to meet her properly when your father wakes up. This girl saved his life–I need to express our gratitude myself.”
“How old is she, anyway?” his mother asked suddenly. “She looks so young.”
Ethan’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Eighteen. Her name is Jade Morgan. She attended Cloud City High School. She has parents, a brother who’s something of a math prodigy, and a younger sister. She’s starting her first year at Princeton, top of her ss.”
His mother’s eyes narrowed. “You know quite a bit about this young woman, Ethan.”
“I make it my business to know things, Mother.” Ethan refilled his coffee.
“Is this why you turned down the Sullivan girl?” His mother leaned forward, studying his face. “Does this have something to do with her?”
Ethan met his mother’s gaze directly. “At this point, it’s merely one–sided interest on my part.”
‘She’s so young, Ethan.” His mother’s voice softened with concern. “She might find you… too old.”
His sister–inwughed from the doorway. “Nonsense. Ethan’s only twenty–nine, and he looks like he stepped out of a magazine.” She walked in and helped herself to coffee. “Besides, some women prefer older men with experience
and resources.”
His second brother’s wife nodded in agreement as she joined them. “It’s not about age. It’s about connection. Does she seem interested at all, Ethan?”
Ethan considered the question. “She’s hard to read. Traditional approaches don’t work with her.”
“Then what does <b>she </b>like?” his mother pressed. “Every young woman has something that interests her.”
“She likes efficiency. Direct approaches. She’s not one for flowery gestures or prolonged courtship.” Ethan tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the table.
<b>11:12 </b>Wed, Sep 24
His mother and sisters–inw exchanged confused nces.
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“Well,” his mother finally said, “whatever her interests, I like her. She has presence, and she seems level–headed.” She
patted Ethan’s hand. “Don’t let this one slip away, son.”
Ethan merely smiled, his mind already formting ns. She might be interested in the Transcendent Military
Alliance.
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