Chapter 284

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.”

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?”

“There’s no catch,” the lawyer 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 stipulate that any

unlawful activities on the premises are grounds for eviction?”

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

proven unlawful activities. Allegations are just that allegations.”

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

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 imbalance of power in

the room.

The tenant and his lawyer were clearly steering the conversation, and Logan seemed willing to play

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

Logan, his gaze never leaving the lawyer’s, inquired, “Assuming I accept 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 place 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?”

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

was a vapid trophy wife and not a lawyer, 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?

The lawyer 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 articulate 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 place known in

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

“Certainly.” The other lawyer 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 particularly 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, Ella, it’s not that black and

white. The world I come 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 relationship. 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.