You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 176

“Let’s set the Newton Enterprises thing aside for now. How’s the Pacific Capital strategy coming along?”

His assistant pulled a tablet from her bag and handed it over, screen already open to the latest updates.

...

After a few moments of wrestling with himself, Howard locked his phone and squeezed his eyes shut.

He took a hard breath. “Why was Patricia at the golf course today?”

Riverdale was massive, practically its own country at this point. Of all the people, in all the out-of-the-way places, they just so happened to run into each other at some secluded golf course on the edge of the city? It was just too much of a coincidence.

“You think someone leaked our plans?”

“Doesn’t matter if they did or not. Check it out,” Howard said, already on guard.

“Jason and Kyle used to be tight. And Kyle served with Atticus. After what happened today, either this deal’s going to slip through our fingers, or someone’s going to make things hell for us. Either way, it’s not looking good.” Howard rubbed his forehead, feeling the headache set in.

For a split second, the thought of getting rid of Patricia flashed through his mind.

Three years ago, he might have hesitated. But now? He understood exactly what Grandma always said:

If Patricia stays, she’ll cause endless trouble.

He could already see how destructive this was getting.

When the car finally pulled up at the Newton family’s house, his grandmother was outside, fussing over her roses.

The sunset was almost gone, the sky closing in.

“Back already?” Kelly came out to meet him, taking his briefcase with a worried look.

“Rough day at work? You look awful.”

Howard gave them a quick rundown. Both Kelly and Grandma stared at him, concern written all over their faces.

“There’s no way Patricia has enough pull to get Mr. Holmes to do her bidding,” Kelly said, not buying it for a second.

Howard explained, “Kyle and Atticus served together. Jason once did Kyle a big favor, but before Kyle could return it, Jason passed away.”

Sitting in the car, she clicked her lip gloss shut and tossed it in her bag. When she looked up, she saw Howard walking into the courtyard, headed straight for the private suites.

“Howard? What’s he doing here?”

Jackson noticed too. “Want me to check it out?”

“Aiden, you go. They don’t know you.”

Aiden slid out of the car and followed Howard up the stairs, just in time to see him walk into Suite Eight.

Wait a minute—

Was this dinner Oliver mentioned really with someone from the Newton family?

Her husband having dinner with her ex’s family? That was a bit much, even for her.

“Ma’am, Howard just went into Mr. Oliver’s suite.”

Patricia sat there, completely stunned.