You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 325

Their eyes locked across the room. Patricia raised her glass, a sly smirk tugging at her lips.

She’d waited years for this. Every bite of pride, every gritted smile—all for this one moment.

Theo didn’t flinch. If he caught the challenge in her gaze, he didn’t show it. He moved straight through the crowd, ignoring the stares, the whispers, the people practically craning their necks for drama.

Was this really the same Theo who used to avoid her like she was contagious? He walked right up, fearless.

“Mr. Newton, are you done pretending there’s a line between us?” Patricia asked, her voice light but sharp.

Theo’s eyes glimmered with that familiar sarcasm. “Does it matter? People are going to talk no matter what we do.”

He paused, looking her up and down, a half-smile on his lips. “Honestly, do you think we could ever really keep our distance?”

Patricia shrugged. “Even if we tried, ‘affection’ doesn’t even begin to describe what we have.”

He nodded, almost amused. “Exactly.”

“Want to step outside and talk?” Theo sounded casual, like he just wanted a little privacy.

Patricia wasn’t buying it. “Let’s be real, Theo. If I walk out with you now, tomorrow’s gossip will be off the charts. You still haven’t figured that out, after all these years?”

She leaned closer, her sarcasm razor-sharp. “What, do you think I’m some kind of siren? Sleep with me and I steal your brains? People learn, Theo. They move on. Why do you keep making the same mistakes?”

Theo’s eyes flashed with anger, but Patricia just smiled, unbothered.

“Ever stop to think about why none of your relationships last? Maybe the problem isn’t everyone else.”

Sara, never one to miss a moment, jumped in. She took a dramatic step back, flicking her hand as if shooing Theo away.

The first item was a pair of Qing Dynasty jade bangles from Howard. They went for nearly three million.

Soon, it was Patricia’s turn. The auctioneer’s voice rang out, “Up next, the property at 163 Willow Lane, starting bid: one dollar.”

A ripple ran through the crowd. People gasped.

Theo felt like someone had punched him in the gut. His skin went cold as he turned to glare at Patricia.

163 Willow Lane. Their old house. The one they’d bought as newlyweds, the one that had burned down and left nothing but memories.

And now Patricia was putting it up for auction, right in front of everyone.

She was humiliating him, and she wanted the whole world to see.