CHAPTER ELEVEN – TENSE NEGOTIATIONS

Out of her peripheral vision, Jasmine could see Samantha settling back into her chair with a carefully neutral expression. The other woman clearly recognized this was Jasmine's fight now, requiring no further intercessions. "You want to hand this insult of a proceeding off to some judge who couldn't possibly comprehend the years of loving partnership your client so carelessly obliterated?" Jasmine's voice had descended to a dangerous murmur, but there was no mistaking the venom lacing her words. "Then so be it." With that, she shoved back from the table and rose in one smooth, unhurried motion. "But I promise you, Ethan...whatever lies you try spinning from here on out, I won't make a single concession easily. Not after the way you disgraced everything we once fought so hard to build together." The deadly silence that met her heated pronouncement seemed to reverberate against the gleaming surfaces of the conference room. Even Ethan appeared momentarily taken aback by the low fury