I Don't Feel Safe without Them Chapter 29 Analise's POV " Your mother - in - law basically stuck to saying you committed fraud by selling a house that didn't belong to you , but that is already cleared up . It's what Roger's wife said that is causing the biggest stir , " Gwen hesitantly said . " Go ahead and tell me what happened . You already know that I'm going to see it online anyway . Just rip off the band - aid and tell me ," I replied . We stopped speaking when the server returned with our drinks . We sat at a table in the back corner so Charlie and Drew could see anyone who entered . We sat with our backs to the wall . I sat between Charlie and Drew , and I wasn't worried about anything that Joyce and Sasha had done . I wanted them to come at me . I wanted them to be completely ridiculous with their allegations . That way , when the bottom drops out , they won't see it coming . " I already have my team working on it , Ana . Sasha alleged that you were fired from your job as Director of Design for plagiarism . She graduated with Roger , which means she graduated a year before you . She believes that being your senior might make people more likely to believe her claims , assuming she is more experienced than you . It's a desperate move to try to keep production moving . We can prove she was lying . She just wants the company to continue to make money . From what I hear , she is going through Roger's money very quickly . She also claimed that her latest creations had been stolen by you . That was the main reason you were terminated . She implied that if anyone hires you , or ends up using ' her ' designs , they will sue ," Rodney said with a sparkle in his eye . " Good , " I replied . Both Drew and Charlie jerked in surprise at my response . They were clearly not expecting me to say that . " We had my designs copyrighted last week , right , Gwen ? " I asked . " You know I did . The first production is ready to hit our stores at your say so . We were going to be shooting the ad for them this week . Do you want us to hold off on shooting the ad for the moment ? " Gwen asked . " No , let's move forward . I would like the first print ads to be ready by this Friday , if possible . See if Emily can shoot them tomorrow . I tweaked the design before I left Cook's . I made the design I left behind look bad , intentionally . It's unusable , but I've left an Easter egg in it . My initials are intertwined in it . So if they allege | stole it , I can prove their lying . I can prove that all my designs are copyrighted . I can prove that my designs are the best sellers , and I can prove their mine from concept to production . I'm not worried about anything she said . I wasn't an employee there ; I was the co - owner . Everything I designed was always my intellectual property . She only got away with saying that because Roger wasn't there to stop her . He didn't follow us here because he has a bigger issue now . Sasha just lied , and we can prove it . I'm glad you already have the video evidence , Rodney . I want this to go to court quickly . All of it , from the contract violations to this slanderous accusation . I want Sasha to have to provide proof of her own work in court , " I coldly stated . A knock sounded at the door before it was opened , and our server entered with two people following her , all 16 MN 1/4 O < I Don't Feel Safe without Them +8 Points > carrying trays . She made sure everything was in order before refilling our drinks . I made a mental note to tip her even more . She was great , and the food was delicious . I was really hungry . I had already hit Roger with a company - ending strike by notifying the investors that I was officially leaving the company . He just didn't know it yet . I happen to know that as soon as people see what happened today , they will all be selling . With the scent of blood in the water , their stocks will be hard to sell , and with word of what happened , things will go downhill even faster . Now that Roger is dealt with , it wouldn't hurt to aim my sights on Joyce , Regina , and Sasha now . They deserved it . We ate our meal quietly , and I made several decisions as we ate . When we finished , I started outlining where I wanted to move forward . " Gwen , I want to work with Emily tomorrow , as a second model . I will need hair and makeup , too . I will wear the dress from the auction . I'm going to push Sasha into making more slanderous statements . She's going to lose it when she sees me in the ad . I want it up and on billboards by next Monday . I want them to react , it makes this so much more interesting ," I said with a smile . " You don't have to wear the same dress . I have one in mind for you , very similar to the style Emily is going to wear . I'll make sure that it's ready in the morning for you , " Gwen said , and her eyes sparkled . I can see that she is loving this , and that makes me suspicious . " What is it? Why are you smiling like that ? " I asked . " I'm just happy that you are completely out of your shell . I don't even care that it was the douche canoe that got you here , " Gwen responded , and Drew started to choke on his drink . He was taking a sip when she said that , and I guess it was unexpected . " Sorry , I didn't mean to make you choke . But you'll see that I'm totally correct the more time you spend around him . " " Seems an accurate description . We got that impression when we saw him earlier . We are used to getting up to speed quickly ; we have to have the ability to read people quickly . I just wasn't expecting you to say that . No need for apologies , " Drew said after he caught his breath . " I'm glad that Ana has you with her now . I saw you protecting her when it went down ," Gwen told them . They both nodded at her . They were always trying to be ' on duty ' , but they didn't get to eat as I told them to earlier . They followed me to the police station and stayed there until I could leave . I haven't known them long , but I trust them more than I do Seth and Holden at the moment . I had to insist that they join us to eat , instead of standing at attention . My father won't allow them to eat with us tonight . I noticed that they worked well together . One would take a bite , while the other watched the door , and vice versa . They were still ready and able to take action at the drop of a hat . I smiled as I opened my phone and sent a text to my father . " Please add two more to the reservations for dinner tonight . " They would assume it was Emily and Gwen , but they would be wrong . They can figure that out later on . I felt safe sitting between them , and that is what was going to happen tonight . If I had to sit through an insufferable meal , I would do it on my own terms . I made a mental note to tell them once we were back in the SUV . Christine left first , and then Rodney . Gwen left with us after I paid and gave our server double the tip I promised . I didn't want to eat with the rest of them tonight . This was going to be my meal for the day , and our server did a great job . We took our time driving over , as we were just ten minutes away . It was already close to the six p.m. MN 2/4 111 O < I Don't Feel Safe without Them reservation time , so there was no point going anywhere else . We sat in silence in the parking lot before I finally cleared my throat . I needed to get them up to speed . " Tonight is not going to go smoothly , " I told them . " Can you elaborate on that ? " Drew asked , before turning to face me . Points 2 " You already know who my father is , so you know my parents will not show up alone . My brother , who started this mess , will also have security with him . I was the one who hadn't had security since I graduated high school . I stayed to myself , and most people didn't know who I was , as I used my mother's maiden name instead of Caldwell . I moved things up because I had that meeting with Roger and dinner with my parents . There is one other thing I need to tell you . Holden Vaughn will also be here tonight . I'm glad we got here early so I could see who they will bring with them . I don't think it will end in a fight ; I would leave before that happened . But you are going to hear things tonight that you wouldn't normally be privy to . I'm going to give you the basic story , but not the whole story , " I told them . I then started from my crush , the arranged married , Holden's sister , to the present day . I left out some things that were not important at this time . I would later learn that was a mistake . I just didn't know it yet . They listened , but did not interrupt until I was done . Then started firing off questions . I answered as truthfully as I could . " Respectfully , Ms. Wade . I don't think we should wait to see who comes . I think we need the first to be seated . If things are as bad as you told us , they won't want us in the room . Plus , getting their first ensures that we take the best seating . I think you're right . It sounds like you are going to be threatened again tonight . I think it's best for you to save our numbers in your phone and make them a priority , in case you need us , " Charlie advised . " I'm good with that . They're probably expecting me to arrive last . Let's go ahead and go in to pick our seats , " I agreed . We headed in and arrived at the hostess stand . " Three ? " she asked . " No , there should be a reservation for Caldwell in the system , " I replied . I saw her stand straighter at my words . " I'm sorry , there's no reservation for Caldwell tonight , " she replied . Her attitude was much less respectful than it was moments ago . " Tanya , it's under my name , " came a voice from behind me . I turned to see Holden standing there . He was looking at Charlie and Drew like he already wanted to ask them to leave . That was not going to happen . " I'l escort them , just hand me menus for nine . " " Nine ? Whose supposed to be here tonight ? " I asked . That number didn't work out , no matter how I tried to figure it out . " My parents and sister will be here along with Gretchen and your family . That's nine ," Holden replied . " Well , I need two more chairs to be added . I texted Dad that information earlier . I didn't know that you were the one making the reservation ," I responded . " I'm sorry , but all security personnel will be staying outside the room . There will be confidential subjects 16 MNND 3/4 O +0 Points > < 1 Don't Feel Safe without Them being discussed tonight," Holden replied, but kept looking at them , instead of me . " Well , they happen to be my friends , and I want them here . If they're not welcome , I won't be staying here either . I don't feel safe without them , " I replied .