When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

I wanted to keep probing Clyde about his investigations, but his phone suddenly burst into incessant buzzing. Visibly annoyed, Clyde glanced at his phone, and his face darkened even more. "Melanie, it is all your fault!" He handed me his phone with a scowl, and upon seeing the texts from Lisa, I was at a loss for words.

[Clyde, I'm back at the hotel. It's so creepy being here all alone.]

[The hallway is deserted. Ugh, I don't even feel like stepping out now.]

[I brought only this nightgown. Do you know where I can grab some pajamas?]

Lisa pushed the envelope, attaching a sensational picture. The silk lingerie was practically sheer, hinting more than it concealed.

I faintly remembered Lisa from our fourth or fifth grade when she was a little tomboy dressed like a fairy from children's TV shows. How had she changed so drastically?

The phone rang with Lisa's call, and Clyde tossed it at me. "I'm not dealing with this. She's your cousin. You handle it."

"Take the call. I'm off to shower. Don't even think about giving it back to me!" Clyde dashed off to the bathroom like a man on a mission, leaving me speechless as the phone rang endlessly.

Lisa seemed convinced Clyde preferred bimbos, watching the phone battery drain as it buzzed relentlessly until I finally turned it off. Clyde had crafted his persona, and he should deal with these unwanted suitors.

So, I turned my attention to my computer, beginning my search into the Crawford family's recent history.

Talbot had been making moves, taking his veterans to Ironvale and kicking their business into high gear. The Crawford family had undertaken several critical projects, earning a reputation and substantial yearly profits.

Lisa had lived abroad and only returned home a few years ago. Her social media was about the high life, the epitome of a wealthy heiress lost in luxury.

But considering her bizarre behavior

today, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was up with the Crawford family. Unless Lisa had fallen for Clyde at first sight, she was likely eyeing the Patterson family's influence and wealth.

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However, the Crawford family had recently secured a big project, so it didn't seem the company was in trouble. What was going on? Online searches only revealed positive news, leaving me with more questions than answers.

The following day at work, not only did Vinson show up, but Lisa did, too. Both came to discuss a potential collaboration on a bridge project, and Clyde sent them straight to the conference room.

Vinson's team was competent, making Lisa utterly unprepared by comparison. She kept playing the family card, insisting being relatives made them the ideal partners.

Vinson smiled, staying silent, and I didn't want to interfere, hoping Clyde would see through Lisa's lack of preparation. But how would we dig into past events if we didn't partner with her?

Clyde tapped the table. "Several companies are interested in partnering with the Patterson Group, but I'll only choose one. More partners mean more chaos."

That was also my take. Partnering with only one company seemed more manageable.

Lisa jumped in. "But surely, keeping it in the family is more reliable, and the Crawford family is professional in these matters."

She kept raving about the Crawford family's professionalism without showing any real proof, making me shake my head in disbelief.

I said, "I think Aspire World is a better fit. Their team is strong, and they have the financial stability to ensure the project's completion."

That had been my stance from the beginning, setting aside personal connections for the more capable team of Vinson. "Mr. Patterson!" Lisa's whining voice rang out.

Clyde sat up straighter and said, "Ms. Lisa does have a point."Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.