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 of paperwork. "Melanie, the secretary said Mr. Patterson was too busy to see me, and these documents still haven't been signed. The supplier called, saying they haven't received payment and they'll raise prices. What

took the paperwork, frowning. "Why are there

explained, "Ms. Osborne kept finding issues with the format and the font... We had to keep revising. And after

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

stormed into Clyde's office. Kayla was there, nibbling on a cupcake and cozying

you haven't signed off yet, finance hasn't made

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

for hours. It is on you." I said my

Lina and the others take the fall. That

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

Spot

and it was

act.

had overestimated him. With a sneer, he pushed the documents back

but I'm the

Department. And everything's documented. Lina's communications with Ms. Osborne are all recorded. Maybe we should go through the company's internal investigation process and make it public to the board. How

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

wasn't our regular go-to. We only partnered with them due to a sudden shortage. They had given us a bargain, and Patterson Group's failure to pay on

"How much are they raising the

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

attention. He sat up,

wouldn't lie about work matters,