Ella

The large wooden conference table felt cool and smooth beneath my fingertips as I arranged the files in neat stacks. I could feel my palms getting sweaty with anticipation. This was one of the first significant cases I’d handled solo at the firm, and I wanted everything to be perfect.

To add a touch of hospitality, I carefully set out a tray of assorted pastries fresh from a popular bakery downtown.

There was a soft knock at the door, and Logan sauntered in. His demeanor was relaxed, in stark contrast to my tight bundle of nerves. “Good morning, Ella,” he greeted, raising an eyebrow at my meticulous setup.

“Morning,” I replied with a half-smile, adjusting a paper clip that was slightly out of place. “Thank you for coming.”

Before Logan could respond, the door opened again, and in walked the tenant accompanied by his lawyer.

I recognized the lawyer from previous interactions around the firm. He was known to be a tough negotiator, a thought which only fueled my anxiety. They settled into the seats opposite Logan and me.

The tenant, a portly man with a sharp nose, didn’t waste any time: “We’ve come with an offer,” he declared, pulling out a thick envelope from his briefcase. I raised an eyebrow, taken aback. I hadn’t expected things to move so quickly. “Go on.”

As the thick envelope hit the table, its presence drew an undeniable tension. The tenant’s lawyer, a tall, lean man with salt-and-pepper hair and glasses, shifted in his seat, nonchalantly pushing the tray of pastries out of the way as though they were a hindrance..

“Let’s get straight to the point,” he began, locking eyes with Logan, a move that made me feel oddly left out of the conversation. “My client is willing to pay the outstanding rent in cash, upfront. A hassle-free transaction that will save both parties time and resources.”

my position in the negotiations, but Logan, his gaze unyielding, beat me to it.

his throat. “Full settlement of the missed rent. Every single cent.” He tapped the envelope with

his interest evidently piqued. “That’s a

assured. “But we do need assurance

over me. The quick pace at which this was transpiring left me spinning.

this was far different. This felt like a high- stakes poker game,

you that the terms of the lease clearly stipulate

her, a patient smile on his face. “Miss, with all due respect, there haven’t been any proven unlawful activities. Allegations are just

entirely true,” I countered. “There have been numerous

but the message was clear: let him handle it. It was a move that stung, a reminder of the imbalance of power in the

willing to play their game. I

gaze never leaving the lawyer’s, inquired, “Assuming I accept this offer, what guarantees do we

his tone

you have to understand how much it means to me. There won’t be any more issues.

moments. “You know, words are wind. How can I trust

intervened. “How about an advance on the next three months as a show of

eyebrow, clearly impressed by the offer.

thin. “And what about the other terms of

we’re addressing the most immediate concern here.

to flare. The way that the lawyer addressed me, looking at me as though I

I asked. “By simply throwing money at a problem? That doesn’t

tense. The tenant looked between me and Logan, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “Logan, all I’m asking is for a chance. You know how the

“The game?” My wolf asked inside my mind. I felt my heart race. What were they referring to? And why was Logan so easily influenced

leaned back in his chair, adopting a conciliatory tone. “Look, all we’re asking for is a fair deal. No one wants lengthy legal battles, right? Let’s

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