Warning: This chapter uses derogatory statements that are only used to depict the character from which it comes from. The Author does not condone any hatred of any kind towards any ethnicity, sexual preferences/orientation of anyone. Spread Love, Not hate.

Bryan

Michael informed me he had sent the documents to Mr. Abrams, therefore the contract between us will soon be voided and the penalty paid soon. Michael seemed to be a bit distracted lately, especially since Angela has left the house. I noticed he had been catering to her a bit more since she has moved to the lake house.

Angela hadn't come back to the house since she moved out. I couldn't believe what she had done. I had given her access to everything, under the impression she would be so incompetent that she wouldn't even think to leave me. I provided her with everything she'd never had, just to find out she was aware of everything, making me realize she was a very intelligent woman. I wasn't prepared for her demands. As I worked in the study, I received a call from the firm.

"Bryan," Wilson, one of the partners, bellowed over the phone. "I'm glad I got a chance to speak with you. I'm not disturbing you am I?"

"No, not at all David, it's good to hear from you. To what do I owe this call? I was planning to come into the office shortly."

"Oh, well that's what I wanted to discuss with you." He cleared his throat and placed me on speaker phone. "I am here with the other partners and we would like to discuss something with you that has come across the board."

Wilson had my full attention. Whatever needed to be discussed must have been important in order for the entire board to be on the phone.

"Hello Gentlemen." I sat up straight in my chair wondering what was on the table to be discussed.

"Bryan, we have been noticing you have been drawing some negative attention lately which has brought concerns to the firm." Wilson stated. I didn't expect this call but it was inevitable.

"Yes, I am aware of the negative attention I have had lately, however it is all being handled appropriately." I answered.

"Yes, we understand that. We know you will handle your personal affairs accordingly and privately. However, it has been bringing attention to the firm." Wilson added.

"Yes, the wrong attention." Another partner chimed in.

"Your private affairs have not been able to stay private to the point they are having an effect on the firm."

I stood up angered at the thought that my personal life had anything to do with the firm. "And you feel it has something to do with me?"

"Bryan, we had a high-profile case that we almost lost due to this dismissive behavior." Wilson mentioned.

"How does that have anything to do with my affairs? The Worthingtons have always been in the field of law and we have all been outstanding!"

"Yes, Bryan. We are aware. However, it is you - you are the one marring the Worthington name and everything it is attached to, particularly this firm!" A partner yelled from across the room.

"How dare you!" I yelled.

"Gentlemen!" Wilson yelled boisterously over everyone. I could hear them talking all at once creating a loud murmur over the phone. I could hear a few mentioning the words 'scandal', and 'appalling'.

"We suggest at this time Bryan, that you step away from the firm before any more damage is done." Wilson suggested with agreement from others in the background.

"Are you serious, David?!" I questioned. They had lost their minds. "I have been a STAPLE with this firm for years. Many cases, which I have led myself, have put this firm in the forefront, and now you are kicking me out?!"

"Bryan! We have no choice! Have you seen the news lately? They have been eating you alive since the Pride parade. Your indiscretions have become a stain on this company, which needs to be removed!"

"What? What does the Pride parade have to do with me? I am not a member of the gay community and all of their letters! I make no point to be a part of it and neither does my family. It's appalling to say the least."

I heard Wilson suddenly pick up the receiver, taking me off speaker phone. "Where have you been, Bryan? Have you not seen the latest news?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Natalia De La Cruz." He uttered. I smiled at the thought of her. She was amazing the last time she was here. She did things to me that I had never imagined and she was absolutely extraordinary.

"What about her?"

"We've seen the pictures Bryan, everyone knows you are intimately involved with her."

"Yes, I have been. Why should that matter?"

"Well for starters, you're married Bryan. Secondly, she was the Grand Marshal for the Pride parade recently."

"And that has something to do with me, how? She supports the gays, I, however do not. But that is her thing, not mine."

"Bryan," He sounded so irritated. "Did you not know she is a transgender woman?" He blurted.

My ears wiggled.

I froze. My brain stopped and hit replay.

No! He didn't say what I thought he said. I must have misheard him..

"Excuse me?" My voice cracked; closing my eyes to focus directly on the words coming out of his mouth.

Wilson lowered his voice, covering the mic of the phone whilst speaking, "Natalia De la Cruz is a transgender woman, hence the reason she was picked to be the Grand Marshal of the Pride parade."

"Oh my goodness." I instantly felt sick to my stomach. Anger raced through my soul. I've been deceived.

How could she? Madeline was the one who got me into this! How could she bring a man to me portraying a woman!

I had sex with him! Plenty of times!

"BRYAN!" Wilson shouted. I had totally zoned out thinking about what had been done. My mind was racing back and forth trying to figure out why I didn't know; trying to figure out what I missed.

"Uh, yes, yes, Wilson, I'm here. Um..," I had no words to tell him. I didn't want him to know that I wasn't aware she was a transgender woman and yet I didn't want him to think I did. "I will step down." I felt defeated.

How could I let this happen?

"Good choice, Bryan. This doesn't mean you can't practice law. Why don't you try opening a small practice? I'm sure you have some clients who would follow you and still would like to work with you."

Wilson was trying to be nice and respectful, however all I heard was, no clients want to do business with the firm if I was affiliated with them. It brings the wrong message of infidelity and unprofessionalism when my personal affairs are broadcasted openly.

"Understandable. I'll have my assistant come and remove my things from the office."

"Good. I'm sorry this had to come to this, Bryan. Perhaps this is for the best."

"I'm sorry too. Perhaps it is." I said and hung up the phone.

I sat down in my chair trying to wrap my head around all of the information I had just received. Madeline was behind this, she was the one to blame for this. She's the one with the gay son! I should have known when I found out she had faggot for son that something may have been up with her. She was out to destroy me and the Worthington name, for whatever reason, she's made it personal.

I needed to call Michael and have him gather my items from the office. The phone rang without Michael picking up, which was unusual. I dialed again and he finally picked up, sounding winded.

"Michael,"

"Yes, Mr. Worthington." It sounded as if he was fumbling the phone, then I heard a very familiar female voice in the background. He was with someone.

"Tell him you're busy." A woman spoke softly. I knew that voice - It was Angela!

Why was she speaking to him in that tone? Where were they?

"Who is that?" I asked..

"Excuse me, Sir? You needed me?" He ignored me.

Why was Angela with him? He should have been in the office or here in the mansion.

"Yes, I need you to come immediately to the study." I demanded. I needed to get down to the bottom of this.

"Understood. I'll arrive shortly." Michael said and disconnected.

Shortly after the conversation, Angela and Michael arrived at the mansion. I didn't expect Angela and I wasn't expecting Michael to be so casually dressed. They walked into the study and stood together by the door, opting to stand instead.

"Why are you here, Angela? I thought you were done with me. I asked sarcastically. I knew she would want to come back.

"Oh I am," she quipped. "I just wanted to see your face." She smiled slyly as she leaned against the door.

"My face? What crazy nonsense are you talking about?"

"Mr. Worthington," Michael started. "Earlier today, I received a call from your office and they informed me you would be asked to leave the firm. Therefore..,"

"Wait, what?! They called you first?! How is that possible?"

"I was not aware of when they were going to tell you. I was just told that they would. I pretty much waited until you called me."

"What are you saying?!" I yelled. I didn't understand why the firm called him in the first place.

"I have arranged for all of your items to be packed and picked up from the office and brought to the mansion in about an hour and a half."

"Good. I need you to set up the study with those items and then I need you to...,"

"Wait," Michael interrupted, holding his finger up in front of me. I looked confused that he stopped me. "I will arrange for someone to assist you further until you find another assistant." He suggested.

"Excuse me?!" I shifted my weight and folded my arms.

"I resign my position, effective immediately." Michael uttered. I looked at him as he was out of his rabbit ass mind.

"Excuse me?!" I looked at him and then looked at Angela who was smiling from ear to ear.

"I quit, Mr. Worthington. Effective Immediately." Michael stated as he placed his tablet on the desk.

"What the fuck?!"

"You heard correctly, Bryan. He quits." Angela blurted.

"Did you have something to do with this?!" I snapped at Angela.

"Oh yes! Every bit of it. Michael doesn't need you. Not any more. Well, and not like how I need him now." She smiled at Michael and winked in his direction.

Anger crawled up my back, across my shoulders and to the top of my head. I was right! It was her in the background.

"What are you saying? Are you fucking him now? Michael, are you fucking my wife?" I yelled furiously. I couldn't believe this was happening to me right now.

"Yes Bryan! And he's doing it WELL!" Angela laughed loudly in my face.

"You Bitch!"

"Fuck you Bryan!" Michael stepped in between Angela and I as both of us started edging closer and closer to each other.

Michael was fucking my wife. How long has this been going on? Had they been together in my house?! Thoughts raced through my mind so quickly, I couldn't imagine the things he's done with her.

"Both of you, GET OUT!" I screamed. I didn't want to look at them anymore.

"With Pleasure, Motherfucker!" Angela said as she grabbed Michael's arm and both walked out.

What the fuck is going on with this family? I was losing control and losing it quickly. Just as I sat down in the chair to begin figuring out what is going on with them, Randall walked into the study - with Madeline's son, Dion.