Badass in Disguise
Chapter <b>259 </b>
“B plus. Professor Smith announced, handing back the economies test papers. “Mr. Murphy, significant improvement.”
Jade watched Ss take his test paper, his facepletely devoid of emotion desplie the 82% written in red at the top. Three weeks of intensive tutoring had brought his grade up from a D minus, but there wasn’t even a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.
Π
When ss ended, Jade caught up with <b>him </b>in the hallway. “Hey, I plus. Not bad for someone who couldn’t exin a basic recursion algorithm a few weeks ago.”
Ss shrugged, dark circles prominent under his eyes. Thanks for the help.”
“You look like shit,” <b>she </b><b>said </b>bluntly. “When’s thest time you slept?”
He ran <b>a </b>hand through his disheveled hair. “I’m fine<b>.</b>”
“I could get you some prescription sleep aids if—”
“No,” <b>he </b>cut her off sharply. “No drugs. I’m
fine
Tade studied him carefully. Since his mother’s sudden deterioration that night at the <b>hospital</b><b>, </b>Ss had been spiraling. Thebination of hospital <b>visits</b>, his night shifts at the garage, and their tutoring sessions was taking its obvious <b>toll</b>.
Before she could <b>say </b>anything else, Ss’s phone vibrated. He nced <b>at </b>the screen, and his face went pale. Without another word, he bolted down the hallway, nearly knocking over a group of freshmen,
Jade followed.
“I need to see Ethan Haxton,” Jade told Connor over the phone as she drove. “Now.”
Twenty minutester, <b>Jade </b>parked her ck Mercedes Maybach outside the Haxton Investment <b>Group </b>headquarters. Ethan <b>was </b>already walking out the front doors, his expression concerned. Several executives peered out the ss doors behind him, their faces a mixture <b>of </b>confusion and annoyance at the abrupt end to their meeting.
“That was fast,” she <b>said </b>as he slid into the passenger seat.
Ethan studied her face. “You wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important.” His gaze lingered on her lips for a fraction of a second, no doubt remembering their kiss from a few nights ago. The memory tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Jade pulled <b>away </b>from the curb without another word.
“Where are we going?” he <b>finally </b>asked.
Jade didn’t answer.
12:29 Sat, Sep <b>27 </b>
The beach was deserted this time of year, the sharp ocean breeze carrying the scent of salt and seaweed, jade <b>parked </b>near the boardwalk and got out, walking toward the water without checking if than was following. The sound of his footsteps in the sand behind her <b>was </b><b>all </b>the confirmation she needed.
ur water matched the overcast sky, creating a seamless
They stood side by side, watching the waves crash against the shore. The gray–blur horizon where ocean met clouds.
“Ss’s mother died this morning,” she said, her voice <b>even</b>.
Ethan turned to look at her, his expression difficult to read. “Sorry to hear that.”
She kicked at the sand. “She’d been hiding her medications, not taking them. The nurses found a stockpile <b>in </b>her nightstand. She didn’t want to be <b>a </b>financial burden on Ss anymore.”
Ethan was quiet for a long moment, “How’s <b>Ss </b>taking it?”
“Not well.”
The wind picked up, sending <b>Jade’s </b>hair across her face. Ethan reached out hesitantly, then brushed the strands away with gentle fingers. His touch lingered on her cheek.
“And how <b>are </b>you taking it?” he asked softly.
She met his eyes. “I’ve seen death before. This isn’t about me.”
“It’s affecting you, though.” It wasn’t a question.
<b>Jade </b>didn’t answer. Instead, she turned back to face the ocean. After a moment, she felt Ethan’s arm wrap around her shoulders, pulling her against his <b>side</b>. The warmth of his body contrasted with the cool air, and she found herself leaning into him slightly.
They stood like that for several minutes, until her phone <b>rang</b>. The <b>caller </b>ID read “Night.”
“I need to take this,” she said, stepping away from Ethan’s embrace.