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.

oddly calm. Until, close to quitting time, Lina approached me in tears and with a stack of paperwork. "Melanie, the secretary said Mr.

the paperwork, frowning. "Why are there

font... We had to keep revising. And after all

her frustration. Someone would have to answer for it if the company faced losses. And a price

Kayla was there, nibbling on a cupcake and

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

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

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

let Lina and the others take the

then glanced over the documents, his brow furrowing. He didn't

Spot

issue, and it was

act.

documents back to me. "This is your

but I'm the head

documented. Lina's communications with Ms. Osborne are all recorded. Maybe we should go

him a wide, cheerful smile, then glanced at Kayla, who turned pale as a ghost.

We only partnered with them due to a sudden shortage. They had given us a bargain, and Patterson Group's failure to pay on time wasn't their fault for

the documents again. "How much are they raising

percent. It will likely increase our construction costs by about one

He sat up, fixing his

about work