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.

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,

paperwork, frowning. "Why are

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

the verge of tears, and I completely understood her frustration. Someone would have to answer for it if the company faced losses. And a price hike from the supplier,

stormed into Clyde's office. Kayla was there,

yet, finance hasn't made the payment and now the supplier is talking about raising their prices. Let's figure out who's going

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

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

wouldn't let Lina and

He didn't become the heir to the Patterson family by being a fool. I

Spot

and it was up to

act.

sneer, he pushed the documents back to me. "This is

I'm the head

we should go through the company's internal investigation process

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

regular go-to. We only partnered with them due to a sudden shortage. They had given us a bargain, and Patterson Group's failure

again. "How

a percent. It will likely

attention. He sat up, fixing

wouldn't lie about work matters,