When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 40

Chapter 40



Was it Merritt's warning that did the trick? Clyde had been unusually quiet these days. Even at the office, he'd look the other way when our paths crossed.

Just when I thought he was done making my life difficult, Kayla decided to stir up some real trouble.

Aspire World had sent representatives. And she, for some reason, didn't bother to inform me and left them hanging in the conference room. When I got Vinson's text, I found out he and his team had been at our office for over an hour.

I rushed to the meeting room. "Vinson, you're with Aspire World?"

"I'm so sorry. My colleague didn't tell me you were here. I would've been here immediately if you'd texted me sooner."

Seeing him surrounded by his team, I could tell he held a position of authority. A part of me was secretly thrilled. If Vinson were in charge of the project, it'd be a cakewalk compared to dealing with Bill.

A young lady beside Vinson shot me a disapproving look. "Starting by name-dropping? Ms. Crawford, you made us wait this long. You think this will slide like that, huh? Last time, you made Mr. Jenkins wait, and now, Mr. Davis. What, is this your way of showing dominance?"

put on my best apologetic smile and kept saying sorry over and over. With

of coffee and a box of assorted pastries. "Sorry, everyone, Ms. Crawford insisted this bakery was worth the hype, so I queued up. My

The Aspire World team, mostly young folks, livened up with the offer of

with the younger crowd, no generation

Crawford did her homework. I haven't seen these

thought we were about to get down to business, oblivious to the room, Kayla barged in. "Already digging in? Are we here for a meeting or a feast?" She sneered at the spread on the table. "Melanie, this is what you serve your guests? Store-bought cakes that cost a few bucks?

I took a long sip of my

right? We've been here over an hour, and you've been saying

your company isn't interested in cooperating. Melanie, I'll cover the coffee and pastries so no

can afford this little expense." Clyde entered with a forced smile, apparently unaware of Vinson's role with Aspire World, making his entrance

glanced at me with a hint of disdain. "What's going on? Making

delay. Last time, she made Mr. Jenkins wait. Seems deliberate to me." Kayla was quick to clear

act didn't fool anyone. The

the corporate world long enough

as gospel. "Melanie, be focused when discussing business. If Aspire World walks away, can you

have never pursued him if he had always been