Chapter 284


    E


    Therge 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 popr


    bakery downtown.


    There was a soft knock at the door, and Logan sauntered in. His demeanor was rxed, in stark


    contrast to my tight bundle of nerves. “Good morning, E,” 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 ce.


    “Thank you foring.”


    Before Logan could respond, the door opened again, and in walked the tenant apanied by


    hiswyer.


    I recognized thewyer 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’vee with an offer,”


    he dered, 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 sses, shifted in his seat, nonchntly


    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.”


    I opened my mouth to interject, to assert my position in the negotiations, but Logan, his gaze


    unyielding, beat me to it. “How much are we talking about?”


    The tenant cleared his throat. “Full settlement of the missed rent. Every single cent.” He tapped the


    envelope with a hint of smugness.


    Logan’s lips curved into a slight smirk, his interest evidently piqued. “That’s a generous offer,” he said.


    “What’s the catch?”


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    “There’s no catch,” thewyer assured. “But we do need assurance that the tenancy continues


    uninterrupted.”


    I watched the exchange, a sense of unease settling over me. The quick pace at which this was


    transpiring left me spinning. This wasn’t the usual pace of negotiations I was familiar with, where each


    term was parsed, evaluated, and haggled over.


    No, this was far different. This felt like a high- stakes poker game, and I was barely a spectator.


    I finally spoke up. “Logan, may I remind you that the terms of the lease clearly stipte that any


    uwful activities on the premises are grounds for eviction?”


    Thewyer turned to her, a patient smile on his face. “Miss, with all due respect, there haven’t been any


    proven uwful activities. Allegations are just that allegations.”


    “That’s not entirely true,” I countered. “There have been numerousints-”


    Logan’s hand on mine beneath the table stopped me mid-sentence. The touch was gentle, but the


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


    the room.


    The tenant and hiswyer were clearly steering the conversation, and Logan seemed willing to y


    their game. I felt more like a bystander than a key yer in these negotiations.


    Logan, his gaze never leaving thewyer’s, inquired, “Assuming I ept this offer, what guarantees do


    we have that this will be the end of our issues?”


    The tenant interjected, his tone almost pleading.


    “Logan, this ce is essential to my operations. If I’m settling this huge amount in cash, you have to


    understand how much it means to me. There won’t be any more issues. You have my word.”


    Logan tilted his head slightly, studying the man for a few moments. “You know, words are wind. How


    can I trust you won’t default again?”


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


    faith?”


    Logan raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by the offer. “That’s an enticing proposal.”


    My patience was wearing thin. “And what about the other terms of the lease? Are we just going to


    ignore them?” I chimed in.


    The tenant’swyer, wearing a thin veneer of patience, replied, “Miss, we’re addressing the most


    immediate concern here. My client is showing willingness to cooperate, to ensure things move


    smoothly.”


    I felt my temper beginning to re. The way that thewyer addressed me, looking at me as though I


    was a vapid trophy wife and not awyer, made me sick.


    “Cooperate?” I asked. “By simply throwing money at a problem? That doesn’t resolve the underlying


    issues.”


    The room grew 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 game works.”


    I was taken aback by the tenant’s words. “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 by their offer?


    Thewyer 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 find a middle ground.”


    I took a deep breath, trying to marshal my thoughts. But before I could articte my concerns,


    Logan gave a small nod, sealing the agreement. With a satisfied expression on his face, Logan


    smiled and leaned across the table, extending his hand to shake the tenant’s. “I’ll take the deal.”


    My mouth fell open, my well-prepared arguments forgotten. I felt sidelined, my concerns


    unheard. I couldn’t help but question Logan’s motivations. Why was he so eager to settle? What


    was really going on behind the scenes? And where did that leave me in the grand scheme of


    things?


    “Um… If I may.” I interrupted before they could shake hands, finally making my ce known in


    this deal, “I’d like to speak to my client in private.”


    “Certainly.” The otherwyer nodded curtly, adjusting his cuff links. As soon as I had pulled


    Logan into a private room, I rounded on him, my voice low and fierce.


    “Do you realize what you’ve just agreed to?” I hissed. “That tenant is involved in some shady


    business on your property, and you’re just… taking the first deal?”


    Logan met my gaze squarely, his blue eyes unflinching. “I don’t particrly care what he does


    as long as he pays rent on time and doesn’t interfere with my other dealings.”


    I shook my head, frustration bubbling up. “This isn’t just about the rent, Logan. It’s about


    ethics, about principles. I thought you wanted to move away from all these under-the-table


    dealings?”


    He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. “Look, E, it’s not that ck and


    white. The world Ie from? Sometimes, you have to pick the battles you fight. And right now,


    with everything else going on, this isn’t the hill I want to die on.”


    “But-”


    He held up a hand, silencing me. “This doesn’t change our professional rtionship. Handle the


    paperwork, make sure it’s all legally sound. That’s what we’re here for.”


    I felt a pang of disappointment, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. It wasn’t just about


    the case or the decision he had made. It was about trust.


    I had genuinely believed that Logan was trying to turn over a new leaf, trying to distance


    himself from the shady world of underground dealings.


    But his actions today made me question it all.