<spanng="EN">Analise’s POV


    <spanng="EN">Things worked out even better than I had hoped. Roger wasn’t stupid. I watched as he realized that his wife, mother, and sister had colluded together. He loved hispany more than anything else, even his parents. I knew, but apparently they didn’t. Or at least they didn’t care enough to keep from publicly embarrassing him. He was furious with them. I knew he was nning oning down to the station to bail me out, but I didn’t need him or his help anymore.


    <spanng="EN">I didn’t know they would be going quite this far, or this quickly, but I knew they were going to pay me back. I embarrassed themst night because they didn’t get to enter the auction. Forcing Roger to choose who would enter with him. They couldn’t get mad at him; he’s the Golden Boy. That forced them to take their anger out on me. I was surprised by how quickly my security team reacted. They did well, as they tried to protect me from view as I was escorted to the police cruiser.


    <spanng="EN">“I have a feeling that you were prepared for her to show up. You didn’t act surprised,” one of the officers remarked.


    <spanng="EN">“His mother has always hated me. She wanted her son to reach great heights. She didn’t want him to marry me. It’s fine. This is just a small issue. What’sing to them soon will be a surprise I’ll be happy to deliver to him and his family,” I replied, and shifted to make myself morefortable. Being handcuffed was extremely ufortable.


    <spanng="EN">They were respectful, and no one spoke again until they assisted me out of the cruiser. I asked if I could put my slippers back on for my mug shot after I had the cuffs taken off. They allowed me to do so, probably for an urate height, but I was relieved nheless. I didn’t want to keep wearing the heels. Christine was already there, along with Gwen. They looked relieved when they finally saw me.


    <spanng="EN">I saw my bodyguards already out there, waiting for me. Charlie winked at me when I noticed them sitting there. He was a flirt, but it helped to calm me down. After what just happened, I trusted them both much more. They had been quick to help protect me. Even if Roger managed to suppress the news on TV and social media, it still had an impact. I would still have proof because my bodyguards had recorded my arrest. I knew that Rodney knew what to do. He was pacing while speaking into his phone. He was a great attorney. ording to the clock on the wall, it was a little after three–thirty.


    <spanng="EN">I was starving, as I hadn’t eaten in almost twenty–four hours now. I couldn’t wait to get this over with and get out of here. I saw a movement and looked over to see Roger standing there near my bodyguards. He looked worried. I don’t know if he was worried for me or his mother. But I didn’t need it. The only thing I was worried. about was my parents and brother finding out about me being on the news. They were going to be very upset. Thankfully, my real name wasn’t being used, but if it got out, there would be hell to pay.


    <spanng="EN">They locked me in an interview room. I kept waiting for someone toe and question me, but no one ever came. I guess Rodney and Christine were handling everything. I folded my arms on the table andy my head down to wait. About thirty minutester, the door opened, and they told me that I was free to go. They didn’t have to tell me twice; I hurried to follow them out.


    <spanng="EN">“Are you alright?” Christine and Gwen asked at the same time.


    <spanng="EN">“I’m fine. I knew you would prove I owned the vi. Thanks foring over so quickly to help me,” I replied.


    <spanng="EN">“Elizabeth, I’m so sorry, I will deal with them when I get home. I can’t believe they did this,” Roger said as he approached. Charlie and Drew intercepted him and nked me on either side. Rodney stood in front of me, showing a united front.


    <spanng="EN">“Don’t worry about it, Roger. I’ll be dealing with them myself. I’m quite sure I was ndered by one or more of them. I will discuss with Rodney how we will move forward. Thanks foring, but I don’t need your help.


    <spanng="EN">They thought they could get away with this because of you and your actions. You were the one who lied to them about my position in thepany. You treated me badly, so they thought they could too. So you’ve got what you wanted from this. I’m not a part of thepany anymore. But you can tell them to wait for my good news. They were warnedst night. I’m not willing to forgive them again. I look forward to seeing them in court,” I replied.


    <spanng="EN">Roger paled upon hearing what I told him. I knew that whatever they had said was bad, and I’m fine with it.


    <spanng="EN">That just means they will face several charges. The more charges, the better, as I don’t want this swept under the rug. Plus, when the truthes out, it will make them look even worse.


    <spanng="EN">Rodney turned to look at me and at the arch of my eyebrow. He smiled and nodded. I was silently assured that we had what we needed to move forward. “I would like to take you all to lunch. I’m starving. We can speak when we get there,” I told them.


    <spanng="EN">I walked past Roger and headed for the door. As much as this needed to go down like this, I never wanted to return here again. Well, not as a prisoner. I was just d that I hadn’t been taken to a cell. I had reaffirmed the need for me to learn some self–defense after what happened in thest twenty–four hours. Seeing Tiffany again really drove the point home. I didn’t want to be defenseless anymore.


    <spanng="EN">Charlie headed out first to show me where the vehicle was, while Drew remained by my side. Rodney had been parked next to them, and Gwen and Christine were right behind us. I knew that Roger hade here to smooth everything over, but that was not going to happen. I needed to speak to Rodney to see if Roger had handed over the document that he wanted me to sign so badly.


    <spanng="EN">“What would you like to eat?” Charlie asked as he went to pull out.


    <spanng="EN">“Really, I could eat anything. So, whatever sit–down restaurant is closest to us is fine with me,” I answered. “I also wanted to thank you for being so quick to record what happened today. That’ll help, as I n on suing Joyce and Sasha.”


    <spanng="EN">“I asked Rodney to record their faces when they came outside after us. We were trying to run interference for you as best we could. We already saw the video. Your ex looked horrified, but the women were smiling about you being arrested. You are going to have a lot to work with. Rodney called and had his assistant record what made the news. They went a lot further than using you of selling his home. They’re going to look pretty bad once they discover who you are. I hope I’m around to be around to see how it ys out,” Drew advised.


    <spanng="EN">“Oh, I can assure you that you both will be assigned to me. Trust is hard toe by, and you two stepped up in a big way for me today. I just want you to know that tonight is probably going to go even worse because of what happened. I thought Joyce might wait toe up with a n, which is how she usually operates. Them pulling this today has Sasha written all over it. But since you know who my family is, you need to know it is going to turn ugly tonight. My father is forcing me toe by threatening mypany, Fashion Forward. I can promise you that tonight will not go smoothly. I’ll try to keep you out of it as much as I can. As things


    <spanng="EN">progress, the risk of threats will increase. I might consider hiring a third, so if you have suggestions, feel free to give them. I would want him to fit in well with you,” I replied.


    <spanng="EN">“If you can afford it, I think that’s a good idea. Your family has a number of resources. I think it might be best to keep us with you whenever you are out. He has had years of experience behind the wheel and as a bodyguard. I’d suggest that you ask Jon Wolfe to rece me as your driver. That way I can keep youpany back there,” Charlie said. My eyes flew to his in the rear–view mirror. I was shocked that he had said that, but then he winked at me again. I heard his lowugh at my response.


    <spanng="EN">“I’m sorry, you’re just too easy to tease,” he said. Drew hit him with the back of his hand on his bicep, but it wasn’t a hard hit. He was warning Charlie to stop flirting with me.


    <spanng="EN">“It’s fine, I’m just not used to being flirted with. I’ll call after we eat,” I replied, and just left it at that.


    <spanng="EN">I was d as he pulled into the restaurant. Drew got out and looked around before opening my door. I appreciated his caution, but at the moment, I felt I was still safe. Things will be more dangerous when my identity is exposed.


    <spanng="EN">“I’ll text our boss, so he doesn’t assign Jon somewhere else. He will wait on your official request,” Charles advised as he met us at the back of the SUV. I could see Rodney pulling into the parking lot, with my friends right behind him. It was a sushi restaurant, and I was excited to eat here. Roger didn’t like seafood, so I didn’t get to eat it very often. I had to either pick it up or eat by myself.


    <spanng="EN">When we entered the restaurant, the hostess immediately checked Charlie and Drew out. “How many?” she asked.


    <spanng="EN">“Six, and we would like to sit there,” Charlie answered and pointed at therge private room next to us. It waspletely empty, with doors to shut out prying ears.


    <spanng="EN">“We don’t open that room up until dinner. I’m sorry,” she replied. “I can seat you in the main room.”


    <spanng="EN">“No, we need to speak privately; we need the private room,” Drew replied.


    <spanng="EN">“I don’t have servers to work in there,” the hostess tried to deny us again.


    <spanng="EN">“I’ll give a hundred–dor tip to whoever is free to serve us in there,” I spoke up. I was tired and hungry; I needed to eat. If this didn’t work, we would go somewhere else. A nearby server heard me and came over.


    <spanng="EN">“I’m d to help. I will seat you now. Nancy, I’ll clean the room after they leave. It won’t be an issue,” she said.


    <spanng="EN">“Thank you,” I replied as she escorted us into the room.


    <spanng="EN">“It’s my pleasure. The Manager prefers the room to be kept clean, so it’s not used during the day. I was the one who cleaned it yesterday. I’m happy to help,” she replied. She took our order and left, closing the door behind her. I didn’t waste time.


    <spanng="EN">“What did they say about me?” I asked.