< SHARE
Badass in Disguise
<b>Chapter </b><b>257 </b>
The younger agent stepped forward, his face fight with controlled anger. “If you didn’t do this, then it must be your friend Mr. Haxton. Either way, we <b>need </b>you to contact him immediately and tell him to stop the attack and restorework functionality.”
Jade leaned against the wall, enjoying this little dance. “Would you like his contact information? I’d be happy to provide <b>it</b>.”
<b>Grant </b><b>shifted </b>ufortably beside the agents, avoiding eye contact with her. He knew exactly what <b>way </b>to prove it.
at she <b>was </b>capable of, but there was no
The older agent–ckwood–studied Jade with new interest. Ilis demeanor shifted subtly, the aggressive Interrogation tactics giving way to something more calcted.
“Miss Morgan, we understand your desire to clear your name,” he said, his <b>voice </b>softening. “But there are legal channels for that. This attack vited dozens of federalws andpromised national security protocols.”
She raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
“However,” ckwood continued, his expression transforming into an unexpected smile, “that’s not <b>the </b>only reason we’re here. The government <b>values </b>talent and puts it to good use. We’d like to formally invite you to join our cybercrime division at the FBI.”
“You haven’t even confirmed I was behind the attack, <b>and </b><b>you’re </b>already offering me a job?” Jadeughed. “Bring some evidence<b>, </b>then we
can talk
“We can discuss the detailster,” ckwood pressed. “The positiones with significant benefits, including immediate expungement of <b>any </b>pending investigations<b>.</b>”
“I told you, I’m not interested in your department,” she replied coldly. “Where’s your evidence that I did anything?
“Would you like to cooperate in our investigation?” ckwood’s smile faded. “We’ll need yourputers and phone.”
Jade remained silent for a moment, then spoke with deliberate precision. “FBI Cybercrime Division, correct? Your department head is Nathan <b>Westfield</b>, isn’t that right?”
Both agents froze, their expressions betraying their shock.
“The systems will be restored at 6 PM tonight,” she announced.
“That’s not eptable,” the younger agent snapped. “You’ll need to <be </b>with us now.”
<b>Jade </b>shrugged, “Fine. I’ll go with you
you. If you can produce evidence that I <b>was </b>responsible within 15 days, I’m all yours. But if <b>you </b>can’t- <b>and </b>we both know you can’t–then theworks stay down indefinitely. Your choice<b>,</b>”
ckwood pulled out his phone and stepped away to make a <b>call</b>. His hushed conversationsted nearly five <b>minutes </b>before he returned, visibly frustrated<b>. </b>
“It seems Mr. Haxton <b>has </b>already contacted the NSA director,” he said tightly. “We’ll be in <b>touch</b>, Miss Morgan.”
As they
hey walked away, Grant exhaled loudly. “Jesus Christ, Jade<b>.</b>”
12:29 Sat, Sep 27 →..
For twenty–four hours, America could only watch one thing on their screens–the unedited footage showing exactly what had happened at Mike’s Auto Service. Every social media tform, news site<b>, </b>and video service disyed the some footage on an endless loop. <b>No </b>amount of refreshing, restarting, or rebooting would change what appeared.
Theplete context that had been deliberately omitted from the vital clips was now impossible to ignore.
<b>The </b>incident became headline news internationally. Tech fonims and hackermunities buzzed with theories about how such aprehensive takeover was possible. Most spected it was the work of the Haxton family, given Ethan’s connections to cutting–edge security firms. The Princeton student body certainly belleved t–<b>Jade </b>overheard whispers about how “Haxton doesn’t let people mess with his girlfriend” as she walked through campus.
At exactly 6:00 PM, allworks simultaneously returned to normal operation. Every social media tform, messaging app, <b>and </b></divmunication <b>service </b>resumed functioning as if nothing had happened.
But something had changed. Every news story, social media post, andment about the incident had vanishedpletely. The video that had gone viral showing Jade deliberately crashing her car? Gone. The follow–up stories about the Mercedes owner’s death? Erased. Every single mention across the inte had been wiped clean.
The major tforms had also temporarily disabled theirment sections, cutting off the trolls and hate–mangers at the source. There would be no more public lynching of Jade Morgan
The next <b>day</b>, <b>Jade </b>walked into ss as if nothing had happened. <b>Several </b>students approached her with awkward expressions of concern and support.
“That
was so messed up what they did to you,” a girl said. “I’m d the truth came out.”
<b>She </b><b>nodded </b>politely but kept moving. Ss wasn’t in ss <b>that </b>day.
ed with <b>an </b>iing call. Ethan had been away on business for <b>over </b><b>a </b>week.
After herst lecture<b>, </b>Jade’s phone buzzed
“I justnded,” he said when she answered, “Can Ie over tonight? Have a dinner together.”
“I’m not home,” she replied. “I have some things to take care of,”
There was a pause <b>on </b>the other end of the line. “I see. Tomorrow, then?”
“Maybe. I’ll let <b>you </b>know.”
She hung up before he could respond.
Ethan stepped into his <b>waiting </b><b>car</b>, his expression tightening as he pocketed his <b>phone</b>.
12:29 Sat, Sep <b>27 </b>
estate.”
“Change of ns, Connor. We’re heading to the est
Connor looked confused. “We’re not going to Miss Mergory’s ce?”
“No,” Ethan replied curtly, Inosening his tic. He hadn’t slept properly in days, working around the clock topress two weeks of business into fist over one week, All to get back to her sooner,
And now this.
In the days that followed, Ethan remained buried in <b>work</b>, unable–or perhaps unwilling–to make time to see Jade. She was preupied with Ss’s situation anyway.
asionally, they exchanged brief text messages:
Still busy? he’d ask.
Yes, she’d reply. You?
Always.
And that would be it.
A week after “The Override,” Jade was leaving campus when she spotted two familiar figures waiting by the gates. Agent ckwood and his younger partner stood beside an unmarked sedan, scanning <b>the </b>crowd of departing students.
ckwood’s demeanor had transformedpletely. Gone was the stern federal <b>agent</b>. Now he approached with a friendly smile and rxed posture.
“Miss Morgan, do you have a moment?” he asked politely.
“Depends what it’s for,” she replied, continuing to walk.
“<b>We’d </b>like to revisit our earlier conversation,” he said, falling into step beside her. “About joining our cybercrime division. Any terms you want, we can amodate.”
<b>Jade </b>stopped and faced him directly. “I told you I’m not interested in your department.”
“You have extraordinary talents,” he persisted. “Talents that could benefit <b>national </b>security. Name your price.”
“I’m just a regr student,” she said with a shrug. “Not nearly <b>as </b>capable as you think.”
“Miss Morgan—‘
“You want someone with those kinds of skills?” she cut him off. “Try Ethan Haxton. Recruit him, use his talents. I’m <b>sure </b>he’d be ttered by the offer.
12:29 Sat, Sep <b>27 </b>
She walked away, leaving ckwood staring after her in confusion.
As Jade slid into her car, she caught a glimpse of the young
ounger agent leaning toward ckwood
“Sir, do you think Haxton was actually behind it?”
ckwood shook his head slowly.
Chapter Comments
3