Chapter 20
705words
She was next.
Because she'd set that dog on Hailey.
After that, he blacklisted her. Tanked her family's name across Northwick. Crushed every deal they tried to land until they were circling bankruptcy.
She came to his office today to beg. Just wanted him to back off her family.
But the second those elevator doors opened, she heard two assistants whispering about Nolan's new favorite.
The slap of memory hit hard—how she used to love him. How he used her, dumped her, left nothing behind.
So why should some other girl get what she never could?
She changed course. Stormed into the secretary's office, ready to scare Laurel off.
Only—Laurel wasn't scared.
She was straight-up unhinged.
Nolan didn't even let her talk. He called security, and they dragged her out like trash.
Hailey didn't expect him to protect a so-called stand-in.
But she also knew he had a meeting.
And she had her own plans.
As soon as he left, she did too.
From across the street, she watched security toss Vanessa out the front doors. The woman was screaming, flailing—totally ignored.
Still clinging to her pride, Vanessa shoved on a pair of sunglasses when she saw people staring.
Hailey made a call.
By the end of the workday, the update came in.
She clocked out early, didn't bother telling Nolan.
Just as she got in her car, her phone buzzed.
A text from him: [Dinner tonight.]
She tossed it onto the passenger seat without even looking twice.
Then she drove.
Serena was already there when she pulled up—watching her bodyguards slap Vanessa across the face.
The hit spun her, cheek flaming red.
"You bitch! Do you even know who my boyfriend is?! You dare touch me?!"
Hailey stepped out, laughing. "Your 'boyfriend' just told you to get lost."
Vanessa froze. Then it clicked.
"Laurel Quinn! You bitch! You set this up?! Not scared Nolan will find out? Acting sweet and innocent—what's your real game?!"
Hailey didn't say a word.
Serena did. She stormed forward and kicked Vanessa hard. "Watch your mouth. Nobody out-bitches you."
Hailey smirked.
Before she could say a word, a bodyguard showed up—pit bull in tow.
The second Vanessa saw it, her eyes went wide.
She turned to Hailey, full panic. "What are you doing?!"
Her voice shook, teeth chattering.
She knew that bark. Knew those jaws.
And this one? Bigger. Meaner than the one she used to own.
Hailey stepped forward and grabbed the leash. "Look familiar?"
Vanessa's eyes darted. "What?"
"This scene... not ringing any bells?"
Those eyes—Vanessa couldn't shake it. She'd seen them before.
Her voice cracked as she stepped back. "What's your connection to Hailey Hart?"
Hailey just smiled.
Then tossed her a chunk of raw meat.
The second she let go of the leash, the pit bull lunged—snapping, snarling, wild.
Vanessa's screams tore through the courtyard.
***
By the time Hailey came back out, night had fallen.
She flipped on her phone. Messages exploded across the screen—all from Nolan.
Serena gave a low whistle. "Tsk, no wonder a certain someone—cough, Kayden—keeps calling to check on you. Scared someone might steal his girl."
Hailey locked her screen, smirking. "Call Lisa."
Serena raised a brow, grinning. "Think Nolan's gonna feel gross when he finds out it's been a call girl in his bed this whole time?"
"He's the gross one."
"Facts."
Nolan finally got through.
The second he saw her, his whole face softened with relief.
Hailey arched a brow. Wow. He really thought she was just his precious little stand-in.
"Why'd you disappear? Ignoring my calls?"
She pouted, clinging to his arm. "Wanted to surprise you. My phone died at the register."
His lips twitched, barely hiding a grin. "Laurel, you're the gift I didn't know I needed."
He kissed her forehead.
She dropped her gaze, fighting the twist in her stomach.
The second he looked away, she wiped the spot clean.
The next day, photos blew up online—someone had been mauled by a pit bull in the suburbs.
It was brutal. So bad people started demanding a ban on aggressive dogs in the city.
No one knew—
The woman in those photos was Vanessa Decker.
