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.

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,

the paperwork, frowning. "Why are

format and the font... We had to keep revising. And after all that, she said it

frustration. Someone would have to answer for it if

and stormed into Clyde's office. Kayla was there, nibbling

yet, finance hasn't made the payment and

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

get this sorted for hours. It is on you." I said my piece and wasn't interested

let Lina and the others take the fall. That was a responsibility no

He didn't

Spot

and it was up to him

act.

pushed the documents

I'm the head

Lina's communications with Ms. Osborne are all recorded. Maybe we should go through the company's internal investigation process and make

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

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

documents again. "How much

percent. It will

attention. He sat

wouldn't lie about work