Badass in Disguise Chapter 86

Author's POV:

Jade stood up from the uncomfortable metal chair, smoothing down her clothes. "It's getting late. I should head back to the barracks. The other students will be gathering soon."

Colonel Edwards nodded, his weathered face still showing that curious expression as he studied her. She could feel his eyes following her movements, searching for something familiar in the way she carried herself.

Ethan remained by the window, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the office floor. "I could give you a ride back," he offered. "We could take a look around the camp. The activities are almost finished anyway, and we'll be heading back to campus tomorrow."

"No need," Jade replied coolly. "It's not far. Besides, I think you and Colonel Edwards have more to discuss."

Edwards smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "She's right, Haxton. There's something I've been meaning to ask you about that defense contract in Singapore."

Jade caught the flash of disappointment in Ethan's eyes before he masked it with his usual composed expression. "Very well. Good evening, Miss Morgan."

She nodded curtly and left the office, closing the door firmly behind her.

Inside the office, Ethan watched as Jade disappeared down the corridor. He turned to Colonel Edwards, curiosity burning in his eyes. "You mentioned that Miss Morgan reminds you of someone. Who exactly?"

Edwards leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled together. "About two years ago, there was this young woman, a cryptographer. One of the best I've ever seen. She could break into supposedly unbreakable systems like they were child's play."

"A hacker?" Ethan's interest was piqued.

"Not just any hacker," Edwards clarified. "This girl was a prodigy. She decoded encrypted plans from hostile nations targeting American interests. Saved countless lives."

Ethan's mind flashed to the scene in Venezuela - Jade's fingers flying over the keyboard, breaking into secure systems to locate Zach and Connor in minutes. Work that would have taken his best IT specialists days.

"She once infiltrated a president's communication system," Edwards continued, his voice dropping lower. "They were saying nasty things about our country, and she hacked in, sent them a message in their own language telling them exactly where they could shove their opinions." He chuckled. "Never saw anything like it."

"What happened to her?" Ethan asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

Edwards's expression darkened. "Disappeared about two years ago. We think her identity was compromised. Too many powerful people wanted her dead or working for them."

"And you think Jade Morgan is this person?" Ethan pressed.

"No, no," Edwards waved his hand dismissively. "This woman was taller than Miss Morgan. More beautiful, like a Hollywood actress. But there's something in the eyes... that same intensity, that same calculating intelligence."

Ethan nodded slowly. "Speaking of Miss Morgan, I'd like to review the training footage of her performance."

Edwards hesitated, then nodded. "I'll have copies prepared for you."

Back at the training grounds, Sergeant Ford addressed the group of students huddled around him. "As some of you may have noticed, Miss Morgan has been called to meet with the camp commander. No, she's not in trouble," he added, seeing the concerned faces.

"Then why?" Jennifer Theodora asked.

"Because," Ford said firmly, "Miss Morgan has demonstrated exceptional skills during this training program. Her performance has caught the attention of our superiors."

Jennifer rolled her eyes. "What's so special about hitting a few targets?"

Ford's jaw tightened. "Perfect accuracy across twenty-three shots, Ms. Theodora. That's not 'hitting a few targets.' That's military-grade marksmanship."

Jennifer mumbled something under her breath, but didn't push further.

The following morning marked the final day of training. Students lined up to take photos with Sergeant Ford, who maintained a stiff smile as camera after camera flashed in his face. As soon as the last group finished, Ford quickly excused himself and headed toward the oak tree where Jade sat alone, scrolling through her phone.

"Miss Morgan," Ford called out as he approached. "May I have a word?"

Jade looked up from her phone, watching as Ford strode across the grass toward her. His posture was military-rigid as always, but there was something different in his expression. Respect, maybe. Or curiosity.

"Sergeant," she acknowledged, slipping her phone into her pocket.

He settled against the trunk of the oak tree, folding his arms across his chest. "Have you given any thought to what you'll do after graduation?"

Jade raised an eyebrow. "I'm just starting college, Sergeant."

"I know," he said, "but someone with your... aptitude should be thinking ahead. The military could use someone like you. Your physical capabilities, marksmanship, psychological resilience - they're one in a thousand."

She kept her expression neutral. "Thanks for the career advice, but I have other plans."

"Mind sharing what those are?"

Jade thought about Ethan's offer to work for Haxton Enterprises after graduation. "Mr. Haxton mentioned some opportunities in his organization."

"It would be a waste to see someone with your talents pushing papers in a corporate office."

Jade stood up, brushing dirt from her pants. "Maybe I like the idea of pushing papers, Sergeant. It's safer than pushing bullets."

On the bus back to Princeton, the chatter was incessant. Snippets of conversation floated through the air, most of them about Jade.

"Did you see how Colonel Edwards called her to his office?"

"I heard she broke some kind of camp record..."

Jade kept her gaze fixed on the passing landscape, pretending not to hear. Her phone buzzed with notifications - apparently, the freshmen had been busy posting about her "glorious achievements" on the Princeton forums. According to one thread, she was now "the pride of the Computer Science department."

Meanwhile, in the luxurious private section of Princeton's Elite Leisure Club, Chase Astor was enjoying his Friday evening relaxation.

"Mr. Astor," his lackey Brian approached hesitantly, "I know you said not to bother you, but there's something on the campus forum you might want to see."

Chase didn't look up from his drink. "Unless it's about Jade Morgan, I'm not interested."

"It's about a new campus beauty," Brian persisted, sliding his tablet across the table. "She's been causing quite a stir among the freshmen."

Chase sighed dramatically and glanced at the screen. His bored expression quickly changed to one of interest as he studied the photo. "Not bad," he admitted. "What's her name?"

"Jade Morgan," Brian replied. "Computer science freshman."

Chase nearly choked on his drink. "Jade Morgan? Why didn't you say so earlier? This is the girl I've been looking for!"

Brian looked confused. "But... I thought you were looking for some chubby girl? This doesn't look anything like—"

"Which dorm is she in?" Chase interrupted, already standing up.

Chase smiled, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Perfect."

The following Monday, Jade sat in her Introduction to Computer Science class, fighting to stay awake. The professor droned on about basic programming concepts she'd mastered years ago. Two minutes in, she was already staring out the window, her mind wandering.

When the class took a short break, Jade headed to the restroom. As she walked down the hallway, a commotion caught her attention. Near the stairwell, she heard a harsh whisper followed by a pleading voice she recognized.

In the stairwell, she found Emily cornered by a tall, elegant blonde girl. The blonde's perfectly manicured nails glinted dangerously as she jabbed her finger just inches from Emily's face.

"Running to Edward with your fake tears after our last talk? Stay away from him," the blonde was saying, her voice low and threatening. "He's mine. If I see you trying to play the victim around him again, I'll make sure everyone knows what a pathetic little liar you are. "

Emily's eyes widened when she saw Jade. "Sis- help me..."