<spanng="EN">Holden’s POV


    <spanng="EN">I had been standing near the entrance of the event for over five minutes, speaking to Seth. I hadn’t told him why I was standing here, but he probably knew why I was here. I wanted to talk to Ana alone. I was going to start my n to win her over tonight. She had always liked me, and she seemed more epting of me the day we visited her workce. I was d I had entered her office like I had. If that man had kept yelling at her, I would have punched him in the face, even if I knew he would try to sue me. Who is he to talk to her like that?


    <spanng="EN">She didn’t say that she wasing tonight, but I had a gut feeling about it. Seth usually just lets his parentse, but he came as my plus one tonight, because he is really upset at how Ana has been avoiding him. He can speak to her after I do. I need to get her to ept the arranged marriage. Not because she had to, but because I wanted her to. Seth was pretty sure she wasn’t going toe but still came just in case she did. I know that she didn’t want to blow her cover, but I’ve had feelers out about her recent movements.


    <spanng="EN">She’s already sold all her stocks, and she sent a letter to thepany demanding that they stop using her designs. That isn’t subtle; that is an act of war. Seth doesn’t understand Ana like I do. She’sing out swinging, and I want to be there for her to help her as much as I can. Once Roger finds out what she’s done, he is going to be furious. I want her to learn to lean on me so she’ll unblock me. I want her to acknowledge our feelings for each other and be willing to agree to marry me. I want to take care of her. I want to be able to go back to how things used to be between us. I’ve missed that so much. I’ve cared for her since I was young, but the feelings that I’ve been having about her recently have seriously changed.


    <spanng="EN">I watched as a limo pulled up, and the Cook family exited. His mother was acting like a Hollywood starlet as she posed and waved to the paparazzi, stopping every single step to wave again. Both she and her daughter were really putting on a show for the crowd. They weren’t moving along; they were standing there, like they were paid to hold up the other guests. They finally approached the door, and Roger handed over his card. They stepped forward to enter, but were stopped. The man at the door had refused them entry, and I knew something was up.


    <spanng="EN">“What do you mean, only two of us? Every year, my family has been allowed toe with me. Call you your supervisor, I demand to be allowed to enter,” Roger’s nasally voice carried. What in the hell had Ana seen in him? He was weak; he was not strong enough to handle her.


    <spanng="EN">The man refusing them entry stood blocking the door as he spoke into a handheld radio. An older woman arrived within a minute and a half. This was an important event, and the Cook family was blocking the door and refusing to move out of the way.


    <spanng="EN">“What seems to be the problem?” she asked.


    <spanng="EN">“I have an invitation, and this man refuses to allow us to enter,” Roger responded.


    <spanng="EN">“Did you RSVP to the event, sir? This invitation is a week old. If you look at the fine print at the bottom of the invitation, it states that unless you RSVP, this invitation is only valid for two to enter the auction,” she replied. Her voice was polite, but direct. I started smiling as I could tell he wasn’t going to let it go.


    <spanng="EN">“When did this start? I’ve never had to do it before,” He huffed out in anger.


    <spanng="EN">“Well, if you were allowed entry, then someone at yourpany had made the arrangements. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been allowed to enter. These rules have been in ce for thest three years, sir. Two of you may enter, but the rest have to leave, unless they have their own invitation and RSVP’d,” She stated matter–of–factly. When she finished, three bodyguards walked up to block the door. She had motioned the bodyguards over. Clearly, this wasn’t her first time heading this event. She knew what they were thinking.


    <spanng="EN">“This is outrageous. We’ve beening here for years. How dare you deny us entry? Do you even know who we are?” Joyce’s voice rang out.


    <spanng="EN">“Yes, I do. Someone who didn’t follow the instructions on the invitation,” the woman replied over her shoulder as she walked away. I had to bite my lip to keep fromughing.


    <spanng="EN">“Roger, I guess we will make sure to properly fill it out next year. I, as your mother, should be allowed to enter with you,” Joyce stated as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    <spanng="EN">“Mom, I’m trying to find a quality man to marry. I’m the one who needs to enter with Roger. He can introduce me around. You’ve been saying that I need to find a husband. It’s only right, and what’s best for our family,” Regina advised.


    <spanng="EN">“Excuse me, as his wife, the honor to enter belongs to me,” Sasha announced. It was clear that she had long forgotten that the fact that they were married was supposed to be a secret. She didn’t yell, but her voice carried. A line had built up, and I saw someone outside recording the argument as it yed out.


    <spanng="EN">Whoever they were, they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying this. The Cook family should have just backed off. They should have epted that with Roger being out of town, they missed the opportunity this time around. With Ana’s ns, this might be theirst chance to attend the auction. They just didn’t know it yet.


    <spanng="EN">“I need to take Sasha in with me tonight,” Roger lowered his voice to reply to his family.


    <spanng="EN">“What? You’re willing to take her instead of your mother?” Joyce’s voice rang out like nails on a chalkboard.


    <spanng="EN">“Roger, you two are already married. This is a special opportunity for me. What if I managed to meet someone who can help your business? I’m already twenty–five. Are you trying to make me a spinster like Elizabeth? How can you do this to me?” Regina’s wailing was drawing even more attention to them.


    <spanng="EN">“How dare you say that? We’re married. There’s no one more qualified than I am to go into this auction. You two are causing a scene. Just get back into the limo and go home. We can discuss itter, but introducing me will help thepany, and in turn help you. You need to think of the bigger picture here. You don’t see Scott or Charlie out here pitching a fit. You do realize that people are watching us,” Sasha responded, lowering her voice more with each sentence she spoke.


    <spanng="EN">Joyce and Regina then turned around and noticed that pictures were being taken one after the other by the paparazzi. Joyce put her hand over her face, but then saw someone recording them a few people behind them. She was furious and stepped towards them to try to take their phone away. When the phone lowered slightly, my breath was stolen from my lungs.


    <spanng="EN">Ana stood there with a bright smile on her face as she looked down at Joyce. Joyce was flustered for a minute as she looked at Ana in shock. She looked her up and down before finally saying, “What are you doing here? Trying to get in on Roger’s ticket? You can’t.”


    <spanng="EN">“Oh, I know, Joyce. I know you have to RSVP to have more than two enter. I was here for the whole show. Very entertaining. I might have missed it if you hadn’t been standing on the red carpet posing like you own the ce. Regardless, I’m happy you did it. I was scared that I would miss you getting kicked out. As I was the one who always notified them that Roger’s group would be a total of five. He will have to get someone else to do that from now on. Here’s a tip for you: always read the fine print. It’s where they get you,” Ana replied with a smirk.


    <spanng="EN">“How could you talk to your elder like that. I’m about to be your mother–inw, Elizabeth. You can’t speak to me like that,” Joyce spat out.


    <spanng="EN">“Well, who knowns if the wedding is still on, at this point. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Maybe I’ll change my mind. I think that with this week of peace I’ve had away from you, that I don’t want a shrew for a mother–inw, or a sister–inw anymore,” Ana responded. No one expected her to p back.


    <spanng="EN">“Roger, did you cancel the wedding?” Joyce called over.


    <spanng="EN">The moment Roger’s attention was draw to Ana, he froze. He’s lucky I know she hates him even more than me, as he jerked in surprise and immediately walked over to her. The rest of the Cook family followed, and the line started to move again. I motioned to Seth to let him know Ana was here. We both watched as that jerk ran his disgusting eyes over her. I knew what he was thinking, and hell would freeze over before I allowed him to touch her. We both moved closer to the door to hear their conversation.


    <spanng="EN">“Elizabeth, what are you doing here? Is something wrong with your phone? Because I’ve been trying to contact you for two days now. Where have you been? Why did you sell our home? Are you facing money issues? You know that I would have helped you. You should have reached out to me. I’m your fiancé, You’re supposed to lean on me when times are tough,” Roger told her. He should have been an actor. He sounded genuine. No wonder she fell for his act; he’s a natural liar.


    <spanng="EN">“Is this the woman recing me?” Ana asked him as she motioned to a stunned Sasha.


    <spanng="EN">Roger flushed before saying, “You could never be reced, Elizabeth. You’re the star of ourpany.”


    <spanng="EN">“I am the one who’s recing you. My name is Sasha, and Roger’s taking me to the auction tonight to introduce me to the investors. So if you were hoping to get in on his invitation, you can’t,” Sasha coldly told her.


    <spanng="EN">“I don’t need anything from Roger in order for me to get by. It’s the other way around, actually, but you two will be finding that out soon enough,” Ana said as she walked past them and headed to the door. Ana has always been beautiful, but tonight she was unbelievable. I have never before seen such a stunning woman. She exuded beauty and grace. Her confidence was unmatched. She strode forward, passing the paparazzi, and heading straight to the door. Gwen and Emily were right behind her.


    <spanng="EN">The man at the door kept staring at her, and hadn’t taken the invitation yet. Ana smiled and waved it in front of his eyes. He apologized and quickly motioned them through. I need to get to her before anyone else moves In on her. With the way she looks tonight, she could easily rece me as her groom. There’s no way I’m ever letting her go again.