When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 21

Chapter 21



Kayla stormed out, tears streaming down her face, leaving everyone in the office shocked and staring at me.

I grinned at the onlookers. "Looks like you're all just slackers without your big-shot backers, huh?"

I could tell they were astonished that I, the usual pushover, had finally stood my ground. I didn't mean to make things tough for Kayla, though.

I would've been happy to live and let live if she hadn't messed with me. However, she had other ideas.

When I returned to the Design Department, I could feel the shift in how people looked at me. For a big company, they sure had a knack for gossip. When checking my messages, I saw a flurry of chatter about the incident.

[Has Melanie been possessed or something? She's been looking skinny lately. I hope she's okay."

[Maybe she's just had enough? Who could put up with being cheated on for three years without snapping?]

[Kayla ran crying to Mr. Patterson's office. I bet $100 Melanie will get an earful!]

[I'll put down $20 that Melanie gets off scot-free.]

Everyone was betting, but most people figured Clyde would back his girl and go against me. It seemed their opinion of him was unanimous. Over the years, he'd seemed to have my back.

down to me versus one of his flings, guess who got the short end of the stick? Yet, I didn't get the anticipated dressing down. Things seemed oddly calm. Until, close to quitting time, Lina approached me in tears and with a stack

the paperwork, frowning. "Why are there

format and the font... We had to keep revising. And

the verge of tears, and I completely understood her frustration. Someone would have to answer for it

Kayla was there, nibbling on a

to even sign the documents?" I slid the paperwork across his desk. "Since you haven't signed off yet, finance hasn't made the payment and now the supplier is talking about raising their prices. Let's figure out who's going to take

up, visibly shaken. "It's after hours. Can't Mr. Patterson have a break? Does he always

Lina has been trying to get this sorted for hours. It is on you." I said my piece and

mess started because of me, but I wouldn't let Lina and the others take the fall. That was a responsibility no one could

over the documents, his brow furrowing. He didn't become the heir to the Patterson family by being

Spot

was up to

act.

I had overestimated him. With a sneer, he pushed the documents back to me. "This

but I'm the head of

recorded. Maybe we should go through the company's internal investigation process and make it public to the

who turned pale as a ghost.

We only partnered with them due to a sudden shortage. They had

"How much are they raising

"Half a percent. It will likely increase

attention. He sat up,

about