Badass in Disguise Chapter 212

Chris emerged from the basement door. His normally pristine appearance was notably disheveled—shirt partially soaked, sleeves rolled up revealing bandaged wrists with fresh blood seeping through. His face was taut with frustration.

Eleanor stood frozen near the kitchen entrance, her eyes fixed on Chris with concern.

"Chris, you're bleeding again," she said, stepping toward him.

Chris glanced down at his wrists with mild surprise, as though he'd forgotten about his injuries. "It's nothing."

"Why is your shirt wet?" Eleanor asked, reaching out but stopping short of actually touching him.

"Water situation," Chris replied vaguely, smoothing back his hair. "Our guest downstairs wasn't cooperating."

"Do you need help with anything?" Eleanor's voice was soft.

"I appreciate the concern, Ms. Astor, but I've got it under control." Chris gave her a practiced smile. "I should clean up. I'll see you in the morning."

With a slight bow of his head, he started toward the stairs. "I'm heading to my room now, Ms. Astor. Have a good night."

---

The next morning, Jade found herself sitting on a plush sofa in Chris's bedroom, watching as a private doctor carefully unwrapped the bandages from his wrists. Eleanor sat beside her, her cheeks flushing every time Chris winced.

"These are healing well, considering," the doctor commented, examining the raw, inflamed skin where rope and metal handcuffs had cut into Chris's flesh. "No signs of systemic infection, but we'll need to keep an eye on this area." He pointed to a particularly angry-looking wound.

"How much longer for full healing?" Chris asked, his voice casual.

"Three weeks minimum before the skin fully closes. You'll have scars, though."

Chris shrugged. "What's a few more?"

Jade noticed Eleanor's quick intake of breath at his words. She was completely captivated by him—this strange mix of polished attorney and damaged man.

"I wasn't aware I'd be having an audience for my medical examination," Chris said, glancing in their direction with a raised eyebrow.

"If we're bothering you—" Eleanor began.

"Not at all," Chris interrupted with a calculated smile. "Though I am curious why Jade brought you to watch me get bandaged up. Is this some form of entertainment I wasn't aware of?"

Jade met his gaze evenly. "Eleanor insisted. She was worried about you."

"I just wanted to make sure you were healing properly," Eleanor explained, her cheeks reddening further.

Chris's expression softened slightly. "That's very thoughtful."

"I could help with the bandages," Eleanor offered. "I took a first aid course last year."

"That's kind, but unnecessary," Chris replied smoothly. "The doctor here is quite capable, and these wounds are... rather personal reminders."

Eleanor nodded, disappointment flickering across her face.

The doctor finished applying the fresh bandages and packed his supplies. "Same time tomorrow, Mr. Jensen?"

"Yes, thank you," Chris confirmed, already rolling down his sleeves to cover the evidence of his ordeal.

After the doctor left, Chris excused himself to take a call, leaving Eleanor and Jade alone in his bedroom.

---

"Jade," Eleanor began hesitantly once they were alone, "can I ask you something personal?"

Jade gave her a noncommittal shrug.

"How do you and Mr. Haxton... interact?" Her fingers nervously pleated the fabric of her skirt. "I mean, he seems even more reserved than Chris. Is Mr. Haxton the one who initiates things between you two?"

Jade suppressed a smile, thinking about Ethan's persistent pursuit. "Very much so."

"And... has it worked?" Eleanor leaned forward eagerly. "His approach?"

"You could say that." Jade thought about Ethan's fierce protectiveness, his quiet support, the way he'd moved mountains just to be near her. "Effort usually gets rewarded."

"I won't give up," Eleanor declared with surprising firmness.

---

Liana's been refusing food and water for two days now. Passed out this morning.

The basement had been converted into a secure holding area, complete with reinforced doors and surveillance equipment. Liana lay strapped to a hospital bed, an IV inserted into her arm. Her face was pale, cheekbones more prominent than he remembered.

After half an hour, Liana's eyes fluttered open. When she spotted Chris, her expression hardened into pure hatred.

"Good morning, sunshine," Chris said pleasantly. "Feeling better?"

Liana turned her face away, jaw clenched.

"Not talking? That's fine." Chris circled the bed slowly. "I was just wondering something—aren't you worried about your parents? What would they think if you died here?"

Liana's body tensed, but she remained silent.

"Not afraid of dying? Or just don't care about breaking your parents' hearts?" Chris continued, his tone casual but his eyes watchful.

"Don't talk about them," Liana snapped, her voice hoarse from disuse.

"Why not?" Chris leaned against the wall, studying her. "I love poking at people's sore spots. It's a hobby of mine."

"I heard your father has quite the collection of women," Chris continued. "Must be hard for your mother, sharing his attention like that."

Liana's breathing quickened. "Shut up."

"What? Did I hit a nerve?" Chris smirked. "Was your mother one of the favorites, or did she have to compete? Maybe she was eliminated by one of his other women? Or perhaps—" he paused dramatically, "—your father got rid of her himself?"

At his last suggestion, Liana's entire body flinched. Chris noticed it immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"That's it, isn't it?" Chris pressed. "Daddy dearest got tired of mommy and had her disposed of?"

"SHUT UP!" Liana screamed.

"Let me guess—fed her to the snakes?"

The word "snakes" acted like an electric current through Liana's body. Her eyes widened, pupils dilating to near-black. Her breathing became erratic, shallow.

"S-snakes..." she whispered, her gaze suddenly unfocused, seeing something none of them could.

Chris stepped closer, intrigued by her reaction. "Yes, snakes. Big ones. The kind that can swallow a person whole."

Liana's face went completely blank. Then, without warning, she began to scream—not words, just a continuous, piercing howl that echoed against the concrete walls. Her body convulsed against the restraints, foam gathering at the corners of her mouth.

"Shit," Chris muttered, backing away. He hit an intercom button on the wall. "Security, I need someone to get Jade down here now!"

Liana's screaming continued, her eyes rolling back in her head. She was completely dissociated, trapped in whatever horror her mind had conjured.

Jade checked Liana's restraints to ensure she wouldn't harm herself. Her screams had degenerated into incoherent muttering, punctuated by occasional shrieks.

She quickly prepared a syringe with a professional-grade sedative, finding a vein in Liana's arm and administering the dose with practiced efficiency.

Within seconds, her struggles began to subside. Her eyes rolled forward, focusing briefly on Jade before the sedative pulled her into unconsciousness.

"What did you give her?" Chris asked, watching Liana's now-peaceful form.

"Something to help her sleep," Jade replied, disposing of the syringe. "She'll be out for a while."

Chris ran a hand through his hair, looking genuinely disturbed. "What the hell happened to her?"

Jade studied Liana's face. Despite the sedation, her features remained tense, haunted. "You mentioned snakes, and she broke. Classic trauma response."

Chris's expression was unreadable. "I didn't know."

"Now you do." Jade packed up her medical supplies.

Chris nodded slowly. "I won't see her for a few days. Let her stabilize."

True to his word, Chris avoided the basement for the next two days, giving Liana time to recover from her psychological break. Jade occasionally checked on the girl's condition.

On the morning of the third day, as they headed upstairs from one such check-up, Chris's phone rang. He answered, listening briefly before his expression darkened.

"When?" he asked the caller. "How many?" Another pause. "Hold them in the front hall. I'll be right there."

He hung up, turning to Jade with a grim smile. "Looks like the Scorpio family has finally sent representatives to collect their precious Liana."

Jade raised an eyebrow. "Perfect timing."

"Indeed," Chris agreed.