You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 247

“Mr. Martin, Ruby already lost her leg, and you still have her going live to promote your business. Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”

“Mr. Martin, word is the former chairman’s daughter is disabled now too. Did the Martin family cross the wrong person?”

“Mr. Martin, can you share what Ruby’s plans are from here?”

“Mr. Martin—”

“Mr. Martin—”

Questions came at Emerson from every angle, relentless and loud enough to drown out the city noise. Ben moved fast, opening the car door so Zoey could jump in before things got crazier. He told her firmly not to get out, not to get mixed up in the Martin family’s mess.

The reporters’ voices mixed with the blaring street horns, leaving Emerson’s mind spinning. For a moment, it was like his thoughts scattered in all directions and he couldn’t pull himself together.

Meanwhile, at Cloud Peak, Patricia was tucked into the sofa, tablet in hand, watching the chaos unfold in the livestream. Her bare legs were stretched across Mr. Padilla’s lap, his rough fingertips gently running up her calf. The sensation made her squirm—it tickled, but it also felt unbelievably safe.

When his fingers brushed the bottom of her foot, Patricia tried to pull away, but he kept her there, his deep gaze asking a silent question.

“It tickles,” she mumbled.

The tablet kept up its noisy stream from the outside world.

Mr. Padilla’s voice was calm. “It’s getting late, Pattie. You’ve had a week off. Time to go back to work.”

Patricia felt her ears burn. Her period had come a few days ago—normally she’d be fine in five days, but she’d caved and had some iced coffee, adding two more days to her misery.

She was pretty sure she’d never forget the look on Oliver’s face a couple days ago—just as things were heating up, she’d had to say, “My period isn’t over yet.” His eyes went dark and moody, full of frustration and longing. He looked at her like he was starving, and she couldn’t have escaped if she’d tried.

Patricia turned off the tablet, pulled her legs back, and knelt on the sofa. She draped her arms around his neck, her whole posture soft and inviting, making Oliver’s heart stutter.

He shifted and pulled her close, holding her tight.

“Ruby tried to kill herself.”

She had no idea what had been happening outside while she and Oliver were tangled up together.

Now the news was everywhere. Nina, never one to waste an opportunity, had consulted a bunch of journalists before making her move—determined to ruin Ruby for good. She gathered all the worst advice, using the media and public opinion to quietly destroy Ruby’s reputation.

Word was, while Tina and Emerson were still fighting with the press, Ruby had seen the news during her physical therapy session. She sent the doctor out and cut her own wrists.

Now, in a cold hospital room, Ruby lay pale and silent on the bed.

Outside, Tina was shaking with anger. “Is this what you call protecting patient privacy? Aren’t medical records supposed to be locked away? How did they end up in someone else’s hands?”

The hospital director stood there, taking her anger, looking like he wished he could disappear.