You Can Leave , Tiffany Chapter 30 Holden's POV I was surprised to see Ana arrive so early . I wasn't actually sure if she would come tonight . I saw her reaction to hearing that Tiffany and Gretchen would be here . I had been watching for it , and I know for a fact that they've done something to Ana now . It was just a flash , but I saw the fear in her eyes before she masked it . I knew she was serious about them staying with her . I'll allow it if it makes her stay , but I don't like it at all . She hasn't had a security team for nine years . Now , all of a sudden , she has two men with her . Which was an unpleasant surprise . Not just any men , either ; they were both attractive men , and neither wore a wedding ring . It seemed like she had chosen them because they were handsome , which didn't make me happy . They were both very fit and looked like they were good at their jobs , which didn't help matters . The fact that she said that she felt safe with them was the worst news she gave . They will be spending a lot of time with her, which I really don't like . I recognize that look on her face . She's trying to hide her emotions , but if I refuse to allow them in the room , she is going to leave . She's not bluffing right now . We don't know where she lives , and she has Seth and me blocked . If we lose her this time , who knows if she'll block her parents ? Then it will be radio silence unless we go to Fashion Forward to try to see her . My hands were tied ; I needed her to stay . I have to get her to agree to accept the arranged marriage . " Tanya , I will need Justin to add two more chairs to the private room , and potentially a table if needed . He will need to check the room to see . I will also need two more menus ," I asked . She quickly hands me the menus before going to find Justin . I escorted Ana and her bodyguards to the private dining room . " Go ahead and make yourself comfortable . I'll send a server to take your drink order soon , " I told them . I watched as they all walked over to the far side of the table to sit down together . I watched as they took the chairs on either side of her . Well , I guess Seth and I will be finding somewhere else to sit . This was supposed to be my chance to smooth things over with Ana . I wanted to sit next to her . I wanted her to look into my eyes and see the truth , that I care a great deal about her , I think it's love , but I've never been in love before . I just know that I want her in my life . I walked out and was glad to see Seth standing at the Hostess desk . I quickly explained that Ana wasn't alone and that she was insistent on her bodyguards staying with her . I told him to go in there and make sure to get the seats across from her . At least then I can be near her and get to see her . Seth didn't waste any time and headed in . I stayed with Tanya for a few minutes and told her who was coming . She knew my family , and everyone in the city knew who Reid and Alicia Caldwell were . I headed back to the room . I wanted to be there when Tiffany arrived . I needed to see how Ana reacted . They were speaking when I entered . I held the door for Justin as he brought the two chairs into the room . I had originally left the room with both families to be sitting across from each other . I had deliberately left the chairs at the heads of the table empty . I didn't want things to turn into a power struggle . I was trying to make it more like a comfortable dinner between our families . DOMNNO 1/4 < You Can Leave . Tiffany * Points > Justin turned to us to take our drink orders . Ana ordered a Crown and Coke , and her bodyguards ordered water . I had a feeling I was going to need a drink too , but I just ordered a latte . I needed to be focused tonight , so I wouldn't be drinking . Seth followed my lead . We spoke last night after the auction . We were both going to focus on getting answers and repairing what was broken . Unless Tiffany was at the root of it . If she were , then I won't be going easy on her , and Mom better do what she said she would . I won't be giving her a free pass for hurting Ana . Justin had just put the last of our drinks down in front of us when the door opened , and my parents walked in . My mother ran over to Ana to hug her tight . " I missed you , sweet girl . I love you , Ana . Whatever happened , I swear we will make it right ," my mother told her . " I missed you , too ," Ana whispered back . She loved my Mom , and I saw tears shining in their eyes . The cozy atmosphere disappeared when Tiffany's voice filled the room , " Why is she here ? I thought this was supposed to be a family dinner . " " It is a family dinner , Tiffany . Your opinion doesn't need to be shared if it is going to be something vile . I told you before we left the house that you didn't have to come for dinner . You chose to come , so choose to be quiet if you have nothing nice to say . Our families are about to be joined through marriage . I'm so glad that we will be getting such an accomplished and lovely daughter - in - love . " My father , Holden , announced . I was glad that Dad had already stopped Tiffany before she could really start up . Ana was tense and quickly picked up her drink to take a long sip . I guess she did that instead of arguing . But I could tell she was preparing to say something . She was just going to wait until her parents arrived . I didn't take her silence as acceptance at all . I wanted to see what her father was going to say before I said anything . I was willing for him to be the bad guy , and I would swoop in as the voice of reason . I would much rather her be mad at him than at me . So I just drank my latte and kept quiet . Reid and Alicia arrived a few minutes before six . By that time , Tiffany had taken the seat next to Seth . Unfortunately for me , Gretchen was sitting in the seat next to mine . They both kept trying to speak to us , and we both steadily ignored them . I found out this afternoon that Tiffany had demanded that Gretchen be allowed to come with her . I know that even after I get married , they will probably still try to force me to be around them . But if they did something to Ana , I would deal with them . They had both been quietly checking out Ana's bodyguards . They weren't discreet about it either . My mother had to clear her throat several times , as they weren't taking the hint . Justin had everyone's drinks served and started taking the food orders . Her bodyguards refused , and Ana did as well . " This is supposed to be a dinner with your family , Ana . Why aren't you eating ? " her mother asked . " I was planning on eating , but something came up , and I was taken to the police station for a few hours . Since I hadn't eaten today , we had a late lunch at four . I'm not really hungry right now , " Ana replied . " What did you say ? " Reid shouted . He was furious that Ana was arrested . " It made the news . I'm surprised you hadn't heard about it , Mr. Caldwell , " Tiffany said innocently . " Your arrest was on the news ? " Reid was so angry that the veins on his neck were standing out . " Yes ," Ana answered . She gave no explanation as to why it happened . " Mr. Caldwell , she was arrested because of a lie . They made several allegations against Ana , all of which 16 30221 O 2/4 < You Can Leave , Tiffany +8 Points ? were untrue , which is why she is here now . Roger left with Ana , so his mother , sister , and wife all took the opportunity to slander Ana , " I defended . Ana looked at me in surprise , but didn't correct me . Reid calmed down before speaking again , " Did it involve what we planned ? " he finally asked . " Joyce felt I humiliated her son , so she wanted to humiliate me . I sold the villa and my apartment . So you can all call the investigators off . I won't go back to either place . Sasha decided to slander me because I had Rodney serve them with a letter to force them to stop all production of my designs . Several of the contracts had expired , some for over six months . Roger refused to sign the renewal contracts when they were sent . That's on him , I'm glad he didn't know , or I would have to pay even more to breach the contracts , " Ana answered her father . " That's not the whole truth . According to the company , you stole their copyrighted work . That's why they made sure no one else would hire you . Quite convenient of you to forget that part . They also said that if they were used , they would sue . I think that's the most important part in this ," Gretchen announced to the silent table . " Why are you here ? You don't know anything about what's going on , so sit there and stay quiet . This doesn't involve you at all , " I snapped out . " Holden's right . You know nothing . Ana has been the driving force behind Cook Custom Jewelry . Ana was smart and copyrighted all of her designs . There is too much blatant theft and plagiarism going around . So she protects her work . Ana will survive the allegations . I can assure you that Roger can't , because it's Ana's work that put them on the map ," Seth advised her . He was pissed at Gretchen for trying to cause an even bigger issue . " You don't need to try to interfere again , Gretchen . We can all tell what you're doing . You and Tiffany can both leave and go somewhere else for dinner ," my mother stated with ice in her tone . My mother loves Ana ; she barely puts up with Gretchen . She'd better watch it , or else she won't be welcome in my parents ' home anymore , which would be great for me . Tiffany and Gretchen were both upset at my mother's attempt to kick them out . " They don't bother me . They are still angry and blame me because they didn't get hired to work for Fashion Forward . They're still resentful , so they keep trying to cause trouble for me . I'm not a teenager anymore , and neither are you . It's time to grow up . I'm not scared of anything they can do to me . " Ana replied as she stared at Tiffany . I looked down the table to make sure my mother heard that . She was looking at Tiffany , too . Well , Ana as good as said it . Tiffany and Gretchen were definitely involved in why Ana was angry with us . Had I missed something ? I still don't have an answer as to why Ana would be mad at me for something Tiffany did to her . I glanced down at Gretchen . She was staring at Ana with hate in her eyes . I knew they didn't get long , but Ana had never done anything to them . The fact that they both clearly hated her was news to me . Is that why Ana is mad at me ? Because we ask bullies to watch out for her ? 16