CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SIX – LIVE ON NATIONAL TV

"I'm so sick and tired of your misogynistic, rampantly delusional bullshit!" she raged on, taking a heated step closer. Larry matched her, chin jerking up in a defensive posture of his own as he refused to be cowed. "You think acting like some puffed-up blowhard gives you a free pass to harass and objectify whichever woman happens to wander into your sights? To invent some fantasy romance in your quest for relevance?" Jasmine was peripherally aware of Pierre making a frantic "take it easy" motion, features contorted with concern. But she was too deep in the heated spiral to pull back now. Larry's eyes were practically bugging out of his head, seemingly stunned into uncharacteristic silence by the intensity of her tantrum. "Well here's a wake-up call for you, Wizard - I'm a person, not some token for you to claim as a prize in your sad little delusions of grandeur!" She gave a harsh, mirthless laugh and jabbed her finger squarely into his chest, making him rock back on his heels. "K