Chapter 69 - Sofia's Downfall

Sofia was so sure that she was going to cause a scene that she crossed her arms and leaned back with a smirk. However, she saw Hayden and Natalia look at each other before they started laughing.

"You thought that was going to be breaking news that caused Hayden to suddenly want you or something? First of all, I know Hayden has never spent all night with anyone besides me. Even if you did sleep together, I'm sure it was a one-and-done like every other woman he'd been with before me. You were obviously not good because he doesn't even remember you. So if you thought this would cause some type of conflict between us, you're mistaken. Hayden and I both have pasts, and we're not jealous of them. Unlike you, we look to the future."

Natalia had a fire in her eyes, causing Sofia's face to turn red as though she'd been slapped. It was then that she realized Hayden was on the phone.

"Hi Paul, this is Hayden Sumner. I need to talk with you regarding Sofia Spurling." Sofia felt sick as she listened to Hayden describe what she had done to her boss, DA Paul Bayes. As she was getting ready to grab her briefcase and run out of the apartment, Hayden stopped her.

"Paul would like to speak with you." Hayden held out his phone to her. The look on his face was pure disgust, making her feel like she was an inch tall. She took the phone with a shaking hand and put it up to her ear.

"H...hello?" She said into the phone, already feeling her career going down the toilet.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Sofia? You dare meet with someone like Hayden and Natalia without discussing it with me first. Then you have the nerve to threaten them with Jon McCrae getting off if they don't separate to speak with you privately. Not to mention you bring up a two-minute sexual encounter you had with Hayden a few years ago. If they were to take this to the press, do you know what it would do to our office by having you attack the victim? Don't you move. You stay there until I get there."

"W...why do I need to stay here? I want to leave." Sofia almost whispered into the phone, knowing everyone had heard the angry DA on the other end of the line.

"You heard what I said. You will not ruin this case because of your lack of professionalism. Don't think I don't know how you've won some of your cases. Judges talk, and so do attorneys. I'm on my way." Paul ended the call as his driver headed across town. He'd had it with Sofia. She had gone too far this time.

Sofia returned the phone to Hayden, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. She had never been so humiliated in her life. She sat on the couch, looking at her hands, feeling all four pairs of eyes on her.

"Can I ask what your plan was in coming here today?" Natalia asked her, causing Sofia to turn even redder. However, she didn't feel like this could get any worse, so she decided to be honest.

"I had hoped when Hayden saw me, he would remember our one time together and decide he wanted to be with me." She still didn't look at anyone, keeping her eyes down. She heard Hayden snort.

"So let me get this straight. You thought you'd come in here and my fiance would fall in love with you. Sounds like something out of a fairy tale. Unfortunately for you, you're not his type. He likes women who stand by their morals or, in your case, have some to begin with. Thank you for coming here today and exposing what you really are. What do you think, Hayden?" Natalia looked up at him and saw him glaring at Sofia. He tightened his arm around her and kissed her cheek.

"I think it's time Paul put the rat in the gutter where she belongs." Sofia was wrong about it not getting any worse. She felt like screaming.

"Are you so sure of your sexual abilities that you thought you could come here and separate Hayden and Natalia? With one look at them, anyone can see that they only have eyes for each other. I don't get women like you. Why would you want to destroy someone else's happiness?" Krista couldn't keep quiet any longer. Women like Sofia made her sick. To think they had the right to someone else's man because of a delusion they had. She felt like scratching the snake's eyes out. She saw both Natalia and Hayden chuckling.

Luckily for Sofia, the doorbell rang, letting them know Paul was there. Hayden got up, and after making sure Natalia was comfortable, he went to open the door. Sofia could feel everyone still glaring at her. When she looked up, she saw Paul walking in with her biggest rival, Nora Deering. Sofia frowned at the other woman.

"I want to apologize to you all for Sofia's behavior. This is not how the DA's office conducts business. Sofia, get out of here now. You're suspended until I can bring this matter before the board." Everyone watched as she walked out without a word. Paul then turned to Hayden and Natalia with a smile.

"I would like to introduce Nora Deering. She will be handling Jon's case from here on out. Please let me know if you need anything. I wanted to bring her here for introductions, and then we'll leave. She'll be in contact with you periodically as the trial progresses." Paul turned toward Nora, who smiled at the two couples on the couch.

"It's nice to meet you. I promise Jon will not get out. I will do everything in my power to keep you from having to testify against him. With all the evidence, it shouldn't be necessary unless you want to." Nora held her hand out to each person as she spoke. Natalia immediately liked her. She was short, probably no more than five foot two, with short blonde hair cut in a pixie cut. As cute as she was, Natalia could tell she was all business and could command a room. She smiled at her.

"It's nice to meet you, Nora. I'm glad you're going to be the one taking down Jon. Nothing kicks a man like him down further than by having a woman do the kicking." She winked at the attorney, who beamed at her. Nora had always admired Natalia from afar, and to have her praise her already felt like an enormous accomplishment.

"Thank you, miss Crawford." She said with gratitude.

"Please call me Natalia." After Paula and Nora left, everyone sighed in relief.

"Well, that was an interesting way to start the day. I don't know about the rest of you, but I want to get out of here. Can we go for a walk? We've been cooped up for weeks." Natalia looked at the others, who were nodding in agreement.

They got their things ready to go. Hayden wanted to push Natalia, but it was too difficult, so he reluctantly let Dorian do it. He insisted on holding her hand as they walked. He was still upset over the scene Sofia tried to cause earlier. It took some nerve for her to think she could walk into their apartment, and he would leave Natalia for her based on a few minutes of casual sex. He hoped she wouldn't only get suspended but also get disbarred. Although that was probably not going to happen. Hopefully, she'll at least lose her job.

As they walked, Hayden couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them. When he looked around, he saw no one suspicious. However, the feeling started making him panic, as though someone was going to jump out from behind the next corner.

"Is everything okay?" Natalia asked, after noticing how anxious he was.

"I keep having this feeling as though someone is following us. It's probably nothing, but are you ready to go back?" He answered while glancing around again. Natalia wanted to stay out longer, but if Hayden was this concerned, she thought it better to return home.

"Yes, we can go home." They had only gone a few blocks, so it didn't take long to get back. Hayden was breathing easier once they were inside the building. No one noticed the man across the street blending in with the shadows. He took out his phone to send a text.

*They finally came out of the apartment, but another man and woman were with them. I'm only being paid to kill two, not four. Tell me what you want me to do, and I'll be ready for the next outing.*