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

of the missed rent. Every single

interest evidently piqued. “That’s a generous offer,” he said. “What’s

the lawyer assured. “But we do need

the exchange, a sense of unease settling over me. The quick pace at which this was transpiring left me spinning. This

This felt like a high- stakes poker game, and

may I remind you that the terms of the lease clearly

with all due respect, there haven’t been any proven unlawful activities. Allegations

I countered. “There have

stopped me mid-sentence. The touch was gentle, but the message was clear: let him handle it. It was

play their game.

the lawyer’s, inquired, “Assuming I accept this offer, what guarantees do we have that this will be the

tenant interjected, his

this place is essential to my operations. If I’m settling this huge amount in cash, you have to understand how much it

a few moments. “You know, words are wind. How

on the next three months

raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by the offer. “That’s an

wearing thin. “And what about the other terms of the lease? Are we

tenant’s lawyer, wearing a thin veneer of patience, replied, “Miss, we’re addressing the most immediate concern here. My

me, looking at me as though I

“By simply throwing money at a problem? That doesn’t resolve the

in his eyes. “Logan, all

I felt my heart race. What were they referring to? And why was Logan so easily influenced

tone. “Look, all we’re asking for is a

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