"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."