bChapter /bb337 /b

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b77 /b

After dinner, Jade settled into the plush sofa in Night’s luxury vi. Chris sat across her, crossing his legs.

“That ind cassle–what exactly was in there? After the explosion, I sent people to check. They found some strange equipment.”

“It was a clone breeding facility,” Jade answered bluntly. “Some clones have already been released. Dusk was one of them.”

Night immediately sat up straight, his eyes darting to Jade. He opened his mouth to speak but nced at Ethan sitting across from her and stopped himself. He exchanged a worried look with Chris, their concern evident–they were both thinking about Jade’s DNA samples that had been extracted.

Jade was about to tell them they didn’t need to be secretive around Ethan when Chris changed the subject.

“What’s the n now? We’re exposed while they’re hidden. We seem to be at a disadvantage.”

“No rush,” Jade said. “These injuries need time to heal. They have hideouts everywhere. To find SPECTER, we need to dismantle them

first.”

She scanned the faces around her. “Shadow has a division called Sleepers in the Arctic Circle. I have exact coordinates. I’ll verify them and then we’ll blow it up first.”

“I’ll contact Titan Defense Group and select some elites. I might need to borrow your men too, Night.”

Ethan immediately spoke up: “My Transcendent Military Alliance is at your disposal.”

Night snapped, “Your good intentions are noted, but nobody asked for your input.”

Ethan gave him a cold stare. The tension between them was almost tangible, a silent battle of wills filling the room.

Jade stood up, tired of their childish posturing. “So annoying,” she muttered, heading for the stairs.

Ten minutester, a soft knock came at her door.

“Come in,” Jade said shortly.

Night entered, holding a tube of scar repair cream, his face brightening with an exaggerated smile. “Baby, I brought you some cream. Need help applying it? I’d be more than happy to assist.”

She took the tube, her response cool and dismissive: “Get lost.”

Night clutched his chest in mock hurt. “Fine. I had someone make you some nutritional soup. It’ll be sent up soon. Make sure you finish it

all.”

His expression suddenly turned serious. “Your DNA samplesb… /bare you sure they were destroyed? I’d hate for your clone to show up someday.”

“What are you panicking about? It would be eighty percent gic match at most,” Jade replied carelessly.

10:37 Frib, /bbOct /bb3 /bM…

“I’m worried I wouldn’t be able to harm your clone,” Night admitted. “Anyway, go shower and rest early.”

As he turned to leave, he suddenly remembered something and stopped the door from closing with his hand.

“Baby, during this time you’ve been with that Ethan guy, and you were injured… he didn’t take advantage of your condition, did he? If he dared to, I’ll go downstairs right now and deal with him.” Night’s smile remained in ce, but murderous intent radiated from him.

Jade raised an eyebrow. “I’m usually the one taking advantage of others.”

Night made a face of disapproval. “You taking advantage of him is also uneptable.” His smile turned irritatingly smug. “You’re wee

to take advantage of me anytime, but you absolutely cannot have any rtionship with him.”

“None of your fucking business,” she shot back.

Night instantly adopted a wounded expression. “Baby…”

“Get out. I’m going to shower.” Jade pushed the door firmly, finally getting rid of him.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Chris and Ethan sat facing each other in slightly awkward silence.

“I hope Mr. Jensen can release my men,” Ethan said.

Chris nodded. “No problem. They’ll be released shortly.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. You saved Jade, so I should be thanking you,” Chris replied, his expression turning serious. fnd2a7 Original content can be found at Find[?]ovel/fnd2a7

Ethan responded politely. “No need for formality, Mr. Jensen. I did what needed to be done.”

Chris leaned forward slightly. “I wasn’t finished. Gratitude aside, I need to be clear about something. Jade was severely injured, unconscious at times. There would have been… intimate necessities. You didn’t take inappropriate advantages, did you?”

Ethan’s eyes glinted dangerously. “As Mr. Jensen pointed out, Jade couldn’t manage certain things herself. Circumstances required me to assist with various matters.”

Chris smiled, though his eyes grew increasingly dangerous. “So you’re saying…”

“When Jade and I formalize our union, you will certainly be invited as an honored guest, Mr. Jensen,” Ethan stated calmly.

Chris nearly choked on his tea. The speed of this developmentpletely exceeded his expectations.

This fast? Then again, she always preferred swift resolutions.

Still coughing lightly, Chris appraised Ethan. The man’s credentials were indeed impable. Still… it would take some getting used to.

At least he’d heard rumors and had some mental preparation. Even so, he found it difficult to bept/b. Night remainedpletely

10:37 Fri, Oct 3 …

oblivious, still believing Ethan was pursuing Jade one–sidedly without any encouragement,

If Night found out the truth, all hell would break loose.

Ethan returned to his guest room to find Miguel organizing luggage.

“Mr. Haxton? Where’s Mrs. Haxton?” Miguel asked.

Ethan nced at him. “Why are you looking for her?”

“Mrs. Haxton’s eye ball robot is out ofmission.”

“I’ll let her know,” Ethan replied.

mey

“Thank you,

sir.”

Ethan studied Miguel curiously. “Mrs. Haxton? Who told you to address her that wayb?/bb” /b

Miguel asked nervously, “Did I get it wrong?”

“No, you didn’t,” Ethan confirmed.

Just then, Ethan’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the message from Jade: [Second room on the left, second floor. Come up and help me apply medication.]

Ethan pocketed his phone and instructed Miguel, “Prepare for Venezu tomorrow. Select elite operatives, including but not limited to Transcendent Military Alliance personnel. The more, the better.” Then he left the room and headed upstairs.

Jade had just finished showering, her hair still damp, sitting on the sofa with herptop. Two tubes of medication and a half–finished bowl of Night’s nutritional soup sat on the coffee table. When she heard the doorknob turn, she didn’t look up, knowing exactly who it

wasb. /b

Ethan approached, his warm gaze settling on her, eyes filled with subtle amusement.

She gestured toward the soup with a slight nod. “Drink that first.”

Without questioning, Ethan picked it up and drank. After tasting it, he smiled. “Night had this prepared for you, didn’t he?”

“He has too much free time,” Jade muttered, setting herptop aside.

Standing up, she turned her back to Ethan and removed her top, sitting back down on the sofa in just her bra, hugging a cushion to her

chest.

Sensing his breath catch behind her, Jade nced over her shoulder impatiently. “Hurry up.”

b10:37 /bFrib, /bbOct /b3 M

Badass in Disguise