When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

"Melanie, you broke the bracelet! And it was a gift to me! And why should I pay you? You haven't made a dime for the Patterson family!" Kayla yelled hysterically, her nerves frayed.

I shrugged. "Then, wait for the Patterson family to call the cops."

It didn't matter to me if they reported it. But the idea of scaring Kayla amused me. At the mention of calling the police, Kayla's face went through several shades of panic.

The jewelry was a gift to her, and she ended up stealing and breaking it, a serious offense.

Besides, the Patterson family was there that day. There was no way she could talk her way out of this.

But as long as Clyde didn't pursue it, she thought she was safe. Realizing that, Kayla turned her puppy-dog eyes toward Clyde. "Clyde, I did it for the company! Melanie is the head designer. How can she work for outsiders? And she knows so many company secrets. What if she leaks them?"

She cleverly avoided mentioning the bracelet, showing some smarts.

"Ms. Osborne, you really know how to play the victim-breaking the Patterson family bracelet and not owning up to it, and now you're blaming Melanie," Vinson and his team approached, greeting me warmly.

Vinson glared at Kayla and Clyde. "Since they're not divorced, doesn't half of Clyde's money belong to his wife? Why shouldn't she ask for compensation? Melanie is still Mrs. Patterson of the Patterson Group. Why would she leak her family's secrets?"

Kayla's colleagues looked at each other, unsure of what to say. If some other company's head designer might leak secrets, the boss' wife of the Patterson Group had no reason to.

Sure, my relationship with Clyde wasn't great, but who would pick a fight with money?

Seeing no support from anyone, Kayla turned to Clyde with a look of grievance. "Clyde, look at them, ganging up on me. I don't believe it if you think there's nothing between them!"

She tried to drive a wedge between Clyde and me, but her plan fell flat.

Clyde ignored her, coming straight to me. "Let's go. There's a project we need to discuss."

Without waiting for anyone's reaction, he pulled me away.

When we nearly reached the door, Kayla had hurried after us. "Clyde, wait for me, will you?"

Her high heels click-clacked as she stumbled behind us.

Clyde didn't look back. "Go back first. We don't need you."

Then he pushed me into the car, ordering the driver to leave. I saw Kayla shaking her fists in frustration in the rearview mirror, but Clyde's expression remained stoic.

He kept silent, and so did I, resting my eyes.

Clyde did take me to discuss a project, a new overpass in the suburbs. Clyde had caught wind of it early and was ready to take action. This time, he didn't push drinks on me but drowned himself in them, getting visibly drunk noon,

He reached out. "Melanie, help me."

Seeing how tall he was compared to my smaller frame, I stepped back and pulled out my phone to call the driver for help.

Clyde looked hurt, but I only glanced at him before turning away. If we were heading for divorce, there was no need for closeness.

Back at the office, I ignored the still-drunk Clyde and went straight to my work desk. Since I wasn't taking a leave, I might as well get some work done.

That was when Jade's call came

through, her voice a mix of sobs and screams. "Melanie, my project got stolen, and they're replacing me! Just because he's the boss'

e

u

brother-in-law? He's taking t

the

project I've worked on for months!"

Her crying was intense, her voice hoarse, suggesting she got replaced by a relative of her boss and her important design stolen.

I asked, "Jade, where are you? I'm on my way."

Finding her at a café near her office, I hurriedly left.

Jade wasn't one to cry easily. It must've been something serious.

As I opted for the stairs, impatient with the elevator, I overheard Kayla on the phone. "Just steal the

documents while she's off guard, et

Then, align with the boss'

brother-in-law, and you'll have a promising future. Don't worry. Once that bitch Jade gets fired, you'll get your cut."

I held my breath, waiting until she left the stairwell before descending.

Given Kayla's grudge, Jade seemed the likely target.

Fury flared up inside me at Kayla's nerve, not just hassling me but going after my friend too..

Clenching my fists, I quickened my pace. Kayla would face consequences if she dared mess with Jade.