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.

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

frowning. "Why are there so

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

frustration. Someone would have to answer for it if the company

Kayla was there, nibbling on a cupcake and cozying up by his

his desk. "Since you haven't signed off yet, finance hasn't made the payment and now

hours. Can't Mr. Patterson have

is on you." I said my piece and wasn't interested in watching them feed each

knew this mess started because of me, but I wouldn't let Lina and the others take the fall. That was

furrowing. He didn't become the heir to the Patterson family by being a fool. I knew he

Spot

and it was

act.

the documents back to

but I'm the

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

gave him a wide, cheerful smile, then glanced at Kayla, who turned pale as a ghost. She probably only wanted to make my life difficult, not realizing the magnitude

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

reviewed the documents again. "How much are

without hesitation. "Half a percent. It will likely increase our construction

got Clyde's attention. He sat up,

lie about work matters,