CHAPTER FIVE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR – TAKE A STEP BACK

Before Jasmine could respond, she caught sight of Ian across the room, engrossed in conversation with a striking woman she didn't recognize. The woman was leaning in close, laughing at something Ian had said, her hand resting on his arm. Jasmine's heart sank as she saw Kendra notice the interaction, her face clouding over with hurt and anger. She excused herself from Konan and hurried over, but she was too late. Kendra stormed up to Ian and the woman, her voice carrying across the room. "So this is why you've been so defensive lately? You've been cheating on me this whole time?" Ian's eyes widened in shock. "Kendra, no! This is Ms. Farnsworth, she's a potential buyer. We were just discussing my technique-" "Oh, I'm sure you were," Kendra spat. "Well, don't let me interrupt your 'technique discussion'." As Kendra whirled away, leaving a stunned Ian and a mortified Ms. Farnsworth in her wake, Jasmine could see their carefully orchestrated event starting to unravel. Marty and Molly