When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Lina's voice almost broke through the phone, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Mel, where are you? Can you get to the police station? The cops took Ms. Scott away and said she was under serious suspicion, something about her old job calling the police on her. People saw it, Mel. It's all over the place. They're saying Ms. Scott will get fired."

My heart skipped a beat, and I didn't notice my dizziness anymore as I stumbled into a cab. I felt slightly better but still light-headed when I arrived at the station.

Vinson spotted me and rushed over. "You have been to the hospital?"

I nodded, not bothering to hide it.

He casually picked a strand of hair from my shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of my hair loss, something I couldn't hide for much longer.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

He tossed the hair in a nearby trash can before helping me sit. "Don't worry. Jade's fine. Her old job's trying to stir up trouble, but they have no real evidence."

"Is this about that bidding project before?" I had a hunch, and seeing Vinson nod relaxed me a bit.

When Jade left, I ensured the other company provided irresponsible discharge proof, complete with a leader's signature and seal.

When I saw Jade's ex boss and his brother-in-law later, they were both fuming. "It's all because she quit. The project gets stalled, and now there's been a major accident! The project's design is flawed, millions in damages, and they want her to pay!"

Their self-righteous indignation made me almost laugh.

Noticing me, the boss grimaced. "There are laws in this country. It's not up to you to decide. Jade has to pay! If she doesn't, it's jail. She's responsible, one way or another."

Jade hadn't returned from questioning yet, so I pulled out the proof I had kept in my bag. "Jade got terminated, went through arbitration, and got compensated according to labor law, all on record with the labor department. She didn't quit voluntarily."

"Also, this is signed by her supervisor, proving from when she left, she wasn't responsible for any of the company's projects or entitled to additional fees."

I was about to hand the proof to the officer when they lunged at me, trying to snatch it.

Almost instinctively, I turned but still got shoved hard. Already feeling dizzy, I nearly fell forward, but Vinson caught me in time while the cops detained the two men.

"You alright? Need to go to the hospital?" Vinson's concern was palpable, but I shook my head. I couldn't leave with things unresolved.

Vinson said with concern, "Chemo's side effects are hitting hard. Maybe you should..."

"What the hell is going on here?" Clyde's angry voice cut through, but Vinson's arms around me didn't loosen.

Weakly, I leaned in Vinson's arms, hardly able to stand.

"Melanie!" Clyde made to approach, but Kayla held him back. "Clyde, here's the police station. Keep it cool."

Kayla's eyes flickered toward me with jealousy, "Mr. Russell sure is protective of Melanie, huh? So much for keeping a professional image."

Vinson barely minded them, his concern solely for me. "Can you hold on a bit longer?"

I nodded again.

Noticing something off, Clyde pulled a candy from his pocket. "For low blood sugar, I always carry candy."

Vinson hesitated, but I grabbed it, tearing off the wrapper and popping it into my mouth. He'd think I just had low blood sugar. Clyde's smirk lightened my mood considerably.

When the Patterson Group's lawyer arrived, so did Vinson's pick.

Clyde was visibly irritated with us. "Jade's with the Patterson Group. She should use our lawyer."

"And why weren't you here when you knew she was in trouble? Just now, while Jade and I were in the meeting room, you were busy with your little fling upstairs." Vinson glanced dismissively at them and then back to me.

No wonder Vinson was at the station. It turned out he had been in a meeting.

Clyde looked at me. "Melanie, you're her friend, you decide."

His look said it all. He'd be furious if I didn't choose the Patterson Group's lawyer glanced at the Patterson Group's lawyer, nodding. "Let's go with Kemp. He's got the experience."

I meant no disrespect, but Kayla was instantly irritated. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I shot her a look, too tired to engage further.

But Kayla wasn't ready to let it go. "Melanie, you're always causing trouble for the company. Your friend barely starts, and she's in the police station. How dare you keep working

here? "You broke an expen working

bracelet but didn't pay, accuse stealing trade secrets, causing the company a $200,000 loss, yet you have the nerve to stay. Why should I leave the company?" I snapped back, watching her face turn beet red, my dizziness suddenly gone.