Badass in Disguise Chapter 259

As a small mercy for delivering the robot, he waved his hand dismissively, signaling his men to release Miguel.

"Let him go," Night muttered, clearly bored with the whole situation.

"We came together, we leave together," he said with forced cheerfulness, gesturing toward the robot with a nervous wave of his hand.

Sloane tugged on Miguel's arm hard enough to leave marks, his eyes wide with warning.

Night immediately pointed his gun at Miguel again, the barrel gleaming under the villa's ornate lighting. He didn't even bother to speak.

Miguel's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed nervously. "This... this robot..." He fumbled for words, his mind racing for an explanation that wouldn't get him shot.

Without warning, the robot spoke in a deep, resonant male voice, asking Miguel, "Where is my master?"

The voice—unmistakably Ethan Haxton's—cut through the room like a knife. Night's face transformed from irritation to rage in an instant. His knuckles whitened around the gun, and for a moment, Miguel thought he might actually shoot.

"Lock them up," Night ordered, his voice dangerously quiet. "All of them."

Later, the afternoon sun cast long shadows through the villa's windows when commotion outside caught everyone's attention.

"What's happening out there?" Night demanded, rising from his chair.

"It's me," Jade's voice answered from beyond the doorway, calm and familiar.

Moments later, she walked in with Ethan Haxton at her side.

Night's expression transformed instantly, the hardness melting away as joy radiated across his face. "Baby!" The endearment burst from him like he couldn't contain it.

He rushed to Jade, immediately checking her for injuries, his hands hovering just above her shoulders as if afraid she might break. "Baby, how are you? Are your wounds healing? Chris said your shoulder was badly injured. I've been worried sick."

"Almost," Jade replied simply, her face revealing nothing.

"Let me see—it's your left shoulder, right?"

As he spoke, Night reached to pull aside Jade's collar, fingers brushing against the fabric. Jade blocked his hand with practiced ease, her movement swift and definitive. "It's fine."

Night pulled her into a tight embrace. "Baby, you scared me to death."

Jade had clearly anticipated this move—her arm was already raised defensively between them before Night even moved. "I won't die that easily," she said, her voice flat.

Night held her tighter. "I thought I was going to lose you again."

Hearing this, Jade stopped resistin.

Chris, watching from nearby with his hands in his pockets, looked relieved now that Jade had safely arrived. His sharp eyes caught the subtle way Ethan's jaw tightened. Chris's lips curved into a slight smirk, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.

Chris stepped forward, playfully tapping Night's arm. "Done hugging? My turn now." His tone was deliberately provocative.

As expected, Ethan's gaze immediately shifted to Chris, disapproval evident in his eyes. Chris merely looked amused by the reaction, a spark of mischief in his eyes.

Night released Jade only to warn Chris, pointing a finger at his chest. "Back off. Try touching her and see what happens." The threat was clear in his voice.

He turned back to Jade, his demeanor instantly gentle again as he cradled her face between his palms. His thumbs traced her cheekbones with disturbing intimacy. "Baby, why have you lost so much weight? You must not have been eating or sleeping properly."

Jade turned her face away from Night's hands, the movement subtle but firm. She glanced briefly at Ethan, catching his eye across the room.

Night's voice hardened as he followed her gaze to Ethan. "Baby, what's with your robot? Did you program that damn voice system?"

He shot a cold glance at Ethan, suspicion evident in the narrowing of his eyes.

"And why didn't you give me access permissions?" Night continued, sounding almost petulant. "I tried everything but couldn't change it. It even threatened to blow me up. If it wasn't yours, baby, I would have blown it to pieces already."

"Where did you put it?" Jade asked.

"Locked it up," Night replied casually, then added pointedly, "You still haven't told me if you programmed that voice system."

Before Jade could respond, a laser-cutting sound interrupted the conversation—a high-pitched whine followed by the sizzle of melting metal. All eyes turned toward a guest room as the thick door was precisely cut through, a perfect rectangle glowing red-hot before falling flat to the floor with a heavy thud.

The robot emerged through the doorway, rolling over the fallen door with surprising agility. Its spherical body gleamed under the lights, various mechanical arms extended from its core.

"Maxi?" Ethan said, surprised to see it there.

The robot sped directly to Jade, its electronic eyes somehow conveying emotion despite its mechanical nature—two blue lights that seemed to widen with recognition. When it spoke, the voice was undeniably Ethan's—deep, confident, and unmistakable.

"Master, I've finally found you," Maxi said.

It took Jade's hand with its mechanical arm, the metal fingers gently curling around her human ones.

Night's jaw tightened visibly, a muscle twitching at his temple. He forced a calm tone as he addressed Jade, though his eyes never left the robot. "Baby, be good, change the voice. Make it mine."

Jade's face remained perfectly composed, not a flicker of emotion betraying her. "It's just a system malfunction," she said dismissively.

The robot immediately contradicted her, its mechanical head tilting slightly. "Master, I have no malfunction."

Feeling Ethan's gaze on her, she pulled her hand away from the robot and said with uncharacteristic abruptness, "If I say you're malfunctioning, you're malfunctioning—change your voice."

"Currently unable to find alternative voice options, Master," the robot responded matter-of-factly, its blue eyes blinking once.

A brief flash of realization crossed Jade's face—she had only programmed one voice option.

Quickly recovering her composure, Jade changed the subject, her voice returning to its normal controlled tone. "Where's Miguel?"

"Locked up," Night answered, still glaring at the robot.

"Release him," Jade commanded, the order leaving no room for argument.

Night's expression darkened with jealousy, his possessiveness bubbling to the surface. "Baby, why do you care about him? Who is he anyway? Why did he call you Mrs. Haxton?" The last question was practically spat out.

Ethan's eyes brightened instantly, interest clearly piqued. "Mrs. Haxton?" he repeated, the hint of a smile playing at his lips.

"Shut up!" Night shouted at him, rage momentarily overtaking his composure.

Ethan ignored Night entirely, simply offering Jade a small, knowing smile that spoke volumes.

Chris intervened, ever the peacemaker, clapping his hands together once. "Alright, Jade just arrived—haven't had dinner yet? Let's eat first and then discuss business."

Jade turned toward the dining room without hesitation.

Night gritted his teeth but quickly switched to a smile for Jade. "This way, baby."

He extended his arm to put around Jade's shoulders while simultaneously instructing his men with a cold glance, "Escort Mr. Haxton out."

Two guards moved to block Ethan's path, their stances widening as they prepared to physically remove him if necessary.

Jade turned around, deftly avoiding Night's arm with a subtle sidestep. "He's eating with us. After dinner, he'll rest," she stated, her tone making it clear this wasn't a suggestion.

Ethan nodded slightly. "Mm." The simple acknowledgment carried a hint of satisfaction.

Night's expression instantly turned cold, fury evident in his eyes even as he struggled to maintain control for Jade's sake.

Chris sighed audibly and put his arm around Night's shoulders, guiding him firmly toward the dining room.

As they walked, Chris said loudly, "He may have his faults, but he did save Jade after all."

He continued reasonably, "You may not welcome him, but you should respect Jade's wishes, right?"

Night elbowed Chris hard in the ribs. "Whose side are you on?" he hissed.

Chris winced, rubbing his side. "Damn you."

He pushed Night into the dining room with more force than necessary.

Now free to move, Ethan approached Jade with measured steps, reaching for her hand with casual confidence.

The robot glided over, positioning itself between them. "Master."

Jade promptly pulled her hand away from Ethan's reach, shoving it into her pocket as she walked toward the dining room. Her actions made it clear she was taking out her embarrassment on him, punishing him for witnessing her moment of vulnerability.

Ethan remained where he stood, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he watched the robot follow closely behind Jade.