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.

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

"Why are there

with the format and the font... We had to keep revising. And after all

to answer for it if the company

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

hasn't made the

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

trying to get this sorted for hours. It is on you." I said my piece and

Lina and the others take the fall. That was a responsibility

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

Spot

it was

act.

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

I'm the

are all recorded. Maybe we should go through the company's internal investigation process and make

him a wide, cheerful smile, then glanced at Kayla, who turned pale as a ghost. She probably only wanted to

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

the documents again. "How much are

answered without hesitation. "Half a percent. It will likely

Clyde's attention. He sat up, fixing his gaze on

about