When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 16

Chapter 16



"Fine, if the Patterson Group doesn't value our time, I'll be on my way then. Ms. Crawford, remember to send over the compensation or see you in court!"

Hanley was fuming, and Kayla added fuel to the fire. "Mr. Hanley, this isn't my fault. It's all Melanie's doing..."

I quickly stood up to apologize, "Mr. Hanley, you've got it all wrong. The Patterson Group values this partnership greatly. Ms. Osborne is Mr. Patterson's executive assistant and might be unfamiliar with the project, but I can take over from here."

I added, "You've seen my proposal. We're genuinely committed."

Hanley waved dismissively., "No need. We're out of our league with the Patterson Group. Let's call it quits."

No matter how much I tried to keep him, Hanley and his team left.

Before leaving, Hanley gave me a long, hard look. "Mrs. Patterson, I understand you're in a tough spot, but that's no excuse to neglect our partnership. This project got delayed far too long. The Patterson Group needs to give us an answer. Patterson embarrassed us like this. I can't just go and explain it away. You figure it out."

Then, I realized Radiant Systems had been displeased with Clyde's attitude from the start. And Kayla's actions only confirmed Clyde's disregard for them. Letting an intern lead a critical meeting and making mistakes was undoubtedly the Patterson Group's fault.

They demanded respect, a gesture from the Patterson Group. It would be bad for

Design Department, the

"Melanie, you've messed up such a crucial partnership. Looks like you don't really want your job, huh? Aren't you the lead? What were you doing during the meeting?" Clyde started berating me the

the office

quietly behind him. "Melanie, if you didn't want me to lead the meeting, you should've said so earlier.

you up? It was your idea to lead." I was speechless at her audacity. She must think she was the heroine of a novel, expecting to triumph without effort. But

field, yet you deliberately made it hard for me. Didn't you think about the company's interests?" Her blatant

of discontent started bubbling

to the job but still

whom? The Design Department has been overworking for so long, and now, it's all for

cried yet.

united in their frustration, and Kayla shrank back beside

said, his eyes burning with anger at me "Melanie, you're in charge of this project. If something screws up, it's on you. Find a

Kayla, and Lina looked at me worryingly. "Melanie, Mr. Patterson is being unreasonable. It's not

even matter

was my fault, so it was. But wasn't about to take the fall for his mistress. I gathered al the materials and new design ideas

wasn't there. I

Clyde frowned at me as I dumped the

not

snort escaping him. "Melanie, you're the lead.