You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 119

Their conversation was cut short by an unexpected shout.

Patricia turned toward the sound and saw Wendy standing off to the side, staring at her like she’d just seen a ghost. You’d think they were long-lost friends, the way Wendy looked at her.

Jackson, noticing the interruption, paused his game and slipped his phone into his pocket. His eyes narrowed as he watched Wendy approach.

“Something you need?” Patricia asked, her tone as cool as ever.

Wendy faltered, caught off guard by Patricia’s bluntness. “Oh, no, sorry! I didn’t mean anything by it—I was just curious.”

Normally, even if people didn’t like each other, they’d at least fake politeness in public. Patricia, though, never bothered with that. If she didn’t like you, you’d know.

“I’m honestly glad to see you’re still alive,” Wendy tried, forcing a bright smile as if they were old pals.

She moved like she was about to sit next to Patricia, but Jackson, who was sitting just behind, neatly placed Patricia’s bag on the empty seat, blocking her.

Wendy shot him a look. “What’s your problem—”

Jackson cut her off, his accent making his words sound more playful than harsh. “Can’t you tell our Miss here isn’t interested in your gossip? You’re old enough to know better, aren’t you?”

A few people nearby glanced over, curious about the six-foot-tall guy shutting Wendy down.

“I’m not going to do anything to her,” Wendy muttered defensively.

Jackson grinned. “Yeah, except kill her brain cells.”

Wendy could only glare, breathing hard. She looked to Patricia for backup and, seeing none, gave her a vicious look before turning away.

Just then, Chelsea wandered out of the treatment room, a sheet mask still on her face. She noticed everyone’s attention on Patricia and walked over. “What’d I miss?”

“Nothing. Sit,” Patricia said, patting the seat next to her. Jackson immediately moved the bag out of the way.

Wendy rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t fall out.

After their facials, Patricia and Chelsea picked a nearby spot for lunch.

Chelsea let out a low whistle. “Well, at least it wasn’t just about chemistry. Otherwise, I’d have to call you love-crazed.”

Patricia nearly choked as she remembered Oliver’s joke that morning about “a balanced diet.” Her grip tightened on her spoon.

Lunch had barely ended when Patricia’s phone rang.

“Ma’am, just like you guessed—someone tried ramming the car. With a big truck, too,” Aiden reported.

He stared at the wrecked Maybach, shaking his head. Life in the upper crust was brutal. When people made a move, it was all or nothing.

Patricia’s voice stayed steady. “Are you okay?”

“I was ready, so I’m fine,” Aiden replied, pulling off his helmet and tossing it into the grass. If they hadn’t been careful, that crash could’ve sent him straight to the afterlife.

He’d followed Patricia’s itinerary exactly, staying at the restaurant for forty minutes before leaving, just to make it look like she’d already finished lunch and left.