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.

to quitting time, Lina approached me in tears and with a stack of paperwork. "Melanie, the

frowning. "Why are there so many

to keep

I completely understood her frustration. Someone would have to answer for it if the company faced losses. And

Kayla was there,

signed off yet, finance hasn't made the payment and now the supplier is talking about raising their prices. Let's figure out who's going to take the heat when the blame

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

has been trying to get this sorted for hours. It is on you."

and the others take the fall. That was a responsibility no one could

He didn't become the heir to the

Spot

it was up to

act.

overestimated him. With a sneer, he pushed the documents

I'm the head of

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

cheerful smile, then glanced at Kayla, who turned pale as a ghost. She probably

only partnered with them due to a sudden shortage. They had given us a bargain, and Patterson

the documents again. "How much are they raising

will likely increase our construction costs by about

got Clyde's attention. He sat up, fixing

about work