A bill for two hundred thousand, shoved into my hands, with some claim about my mother-in-law?

If I rolled over and accepted that, I'd have to be out of my mind.

Janet's expression turned ugly. "President Dickerson, the woman is absolutely your mother-in-law."

"I've personally seen you dining with her here more than once."

She didn't waver, and something in me went still and cold.

I came here strictly for client dinners. Every person I'd ever brought was a business contact.

Yet Janet was claiming I'd dined with this person before.

Insisting, over and over, that the woman was my mother-in-law.

I kept my voice level, but I didn't soften it. "Janet Gilbert, you've got the wrong person."

"I know exactly how many meals I've had in this restaurant."

"And when have I ever brought someone in for a two-hundred-thousand dinner?"

I jabbed my finger at the bill. "Eight bottles of premium wine alone, over ten thousand each."

"You really think I'm going to pay for that?"

Janet's face went ashen. She stared at me, then suddenly spoke again. "President Dickerson, I've already been more than generous letting you dine here tonight—don't push it."

"If you won't give me face, then I've got no reason to give you any either."

Janet's eyes were fixed on me as the words came out.

I smiled. "I've already called the police. We'll wait for them."

I turned to glance at the clients behind me.

This was supposed to be a client dinner, after all. That things had gone this far was embarrassing, and I owed them an apology.

"Everyone, I'm sorry about this. You're welcome to leave first."

"We can pick up the partnership discussion tomorrow."

"Don't worry. I'll handle this myself."

I addressed the group directly.

They nodded, understanding the situation.

Several of them were already rising to go.

The moment Janet saw that, her whole demeanor changed. Anger flashed across her face and she fixed me with a hard stare. "Nobody's going anywhere!"

"Lock the doors. Now."

"Not a single person walks out of here until this bill is paid in full."

The two security guards behind her moved at once and pulled the doors closed.

They slammed shut with a heavy thud.

Janet's stare was cold and unblinking when she turned back to me. "Ms. Dickerson, I'm warning you right now. You don't pay, nobody leaves this room."

"A woman in your position, Ms. Dickerson—you can afford to settle a bill. Don't make this ugly for everyone."