You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 240

The second son wasn’t as successful as the eldest, but he was the thoughtful one. Parents always seem to favor the younger kids, and with the eldest being so distant, she couldn’t help but pour all her love into her second son.

When Jason died, it broke her heart, but more than anything, she wanted the second son to take over the family business. That was their only shot at turning things around. As for Patricia—her own daughter—if Jason hadn’t left her something, Patricia probably would’ve been out on the street by now, barely able to scrape together enough for a meal.

“Mrs. Martin, who’s this young lady with you?” someone called out as they walked up the path toward the square. An old friend was waving at Patricia’s grandma.

Before Grandma could answer, Patricia jumped in with a sweet smile. “I’m her granddaughter.”

“She’s gorgeous and so well-mannered too. Do you have a boyfriend yet, sweetheart?”

Patricia shook her head, her eyes big and innocent as she looked up at Grandma. “Not yet!”

The woman turned to Grandma with a laugh. “Eleanor, how could you hide such a wonderful granddaughter from us? That’s just mean.”

Patricia glanced at her grandma, her eyes suddenly cold. So much for Grandma talking about her all the time. Guess that was a lie. Oh well—worked out in her favor.

She stood off to the side, watching the neighbor chat with her grandma, asking a million questions and holding her hand. Patricia just kept smiling, barely moving.

Then she caught sight of Oliver standing under a tree in a black T-shirt, arms folded, watching her with a teasing smile. No boyfriend, huh?

She looked away, not interested in playing games.

“Come on, let’s go to the square together,” someone suggested.

“You go ahead,” Grandma said. “My granddaughter’s here now. I’m heading home.”

Patricia just widened her eyes in fake shock. “Wow, Grandma, you remember what ‘out of line’ means?”

“Remember what you told me? That I should just die and never come back? And if I did, I’d come back as some vengeful ghost?”

She grinned. “Well, Grandma, here I am. I came back to haunt you.”

Grandma’s hands shook as she rushed through the gate, slamming it shut behind her.

Patricia didn’t move. She just stood there, watching Grandma’s back, and called out with a half-smile, “Oh, and Grandma? Did you hear? Ruby broke her leg. She’s done for.”

Thunder rumbled in the distance, low and heavy, like the world itself was holding its breath.