When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 54

Chapter 54



I dashed out of the taxi and made a beeline for the cafe. By the time I arrived, Jade's eyes were red from crying, and she stuttered through her explanation.

After winning the bid today, a colleague secretly informed Jade that the boss had got her replaced.

The boss planned to wait until everything was smooth sailing before letting his brother-in-law take over, depriving Jade of her deserved bonus. "We're talking about a bonus of $700,000, seven hundred thousand! Asshole! He sweet-talked me into joining the company, only to set me up like this!" Her sobs grew heavier, her voice even more hoarse.

I gently patted her back, asking, "Did they get the confidential designs, too?"

The Design Department's documents were top secret. Even though Jade trusted me deeply, she had personally double-checked many classified materials just the day before.

Without being a core designer, it was impossible to access these materials.

Jade angrily slammed her fist on the table. "Someone tampered with my computer and copied most of the designs, but I kept the core parts to myself."

I nodded, understanding that we could work something out if they didn't have everything.

The phone rang, and Jade visibly bristled when she saw the caller ID, but she answered on speaker.

"Hey, Jade, I heard you weren't feeling well and took the day off. Take a few more sick days. I know it's hard for you to talk right now. Don't worry about the project. My brother-in-law's just returned from abroad and dabbles in design. He'll cover for you for a bit. Make sure to rest up. Don't sacrifice your health for work."

caller ID as "BOSS," I knew it was the

in acknowledgment with a nasal

project had won the bidding, and with the design phase complete, it only needed supervision. Her position usurped by the boss' brother-in-law meant Jade would return to virtually no

the table again. "I won't hand over the

quietly, agreeing she didn't need to take responsibility for this project

we could easily shrug off. We needed a plan to ensure Jade wouldn't take the blame later on. With the boss' directive, it was clear he

head home. We had planned to indulge in a hearty meal to vent

voice came through, "It's the birthday of

seemed to anticipate my response, quickly adding, "I've picked up the gifts, and Granddad wants us all

no choice but to go. I glanced apologetically at

comforted me. "Go. I could use a

put, I left, only to find Clyde waiting downstairs. "Didn't want you to bail, so

without a chauffeur. I didn't play hard to get but

with my action, and his tone softened, though tinged with complaint. "How come

work. I had

"You've always been good to her,

how he'd made similar remarks during our

dwindled after we started dating. Without Jade, I

him, quickly

genuinely saw no need

were industry elites. Adding a third