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.

came 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

took the paperwork, frowning. "Why are

We had to keep revising. And after all

to answer for it if the company faced losses. And a price hike from the supplier, even a small one, would cost

was there, nibbling

you haven't signed off yet, finance hasn't made the payment and now the

shaken. "It's after hours. Can't Mr. Patterson have

whatever you want. Lina has been trying to get this sorted for hours. It is on you." I said my piece and wasn't

me, but I wouldn't let Lina and the others take the fall.

gave me a cold look, then glanced over the documents, his brow furrowing. He didn't become the

Spot

it was up to

act.

pushed the documents back to

I'm the head of

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

turned pale as a ghost. She probably only wanted to make my life difficult, not realizing the magnitude of the

partnered with them due to a sudden shortage. They had given us a bargain, and Patterson Group's failure to pay on

the documents again. "How much are

"Half a percent. It will likely

Clyde's attention. He sat up, fixing

wouldn't lie about work