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."

knew it was the

a nasal tone,

insinuation. The 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

hit the table again. "I

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

plan to ensure Jade wouldn't take the blame later on. With the boss' directive, it was clear he didn't expect Jade

so we eventually decided to head home. We had planned to indulge in a hearty meal to vent our frustrations, but then

through, "It's the birthday of Uncle Laird's

little rascal made me instinctively want to decline. But Clyde seemed to anticipate my response, quickly adding, "I've picked up

meant I had no choice but to go. I

"Go. I could use a nap

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

drove himself this time without a chauffeur. I didn't play hard to

tone softened, though tinged with complaint. "How come

"Jade's got cornered at work. I had to be

"You've always been good to her, sticking together like sisters

sighed inwardly, remembering how he'd made similar

and it only dwindled after we started dating. Without Jade, I

I didn't want to dwell on this with him, quickly changing the subject. "What's your take on Design Department

genuinely saw no need for

management were industry elites. Adding a