You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 326

Sara sat back, watching the drama unfold with a smirk. Honestly, these two were like a pair of maniacs locked in a death match. Any second now, she thought they might actually throw down. But since they were surrounded by people, both of them kept a lid on it, just barely.

She leaned into her chair, the red spaghetti-strap dress hugging her body and showing off arms toned from years at the gym. Her fingers played with the tassel on her earring, and she couldn’t resist calling out, adding fuel to the fire.

“Well, would you look at that—Mr. Newton and his ex-wife’s old love nest, right?” she teased. “Didn’t it burn down once and get rebuilt?”

Up on stage, the auctioneer went stiff, sweat breaking out down his back. He looked like he was about to faint, glancing anxiously at the crowd as if he was the one on trial. People started whispering, all eyes flicking to Patricia—impressed, a little scared. She was that kind of woman. These days, no one in their right mind wanted to cross a woman with nothing left to lose.

——

Out in the hallway, Theo slammed Patricia against the wall, his grip rough.

Patricia caught herself, palm pressed to the cool surface, rolling her wrist as she stared him down with a mocking smile. She didn’t even let him finish before she cut in, voice sharp as ice.

“Goldfish memory, Theo? Did you already forget how you treated me?”

“You and your family literally set houses on fire. Compared to you, I’m basically a kid playing pretend.”

Theo’s jaw tensed, voice low with fury. “My mother’s in prison because of you.”

“She killed someone, Theo. Actions have consequences. You know that as well as I do.”

She took a slow step closer, heels echoing on the floor.

“Besides, don’t act innocent. Weren’t you involved with what happened to Greg? Don’t tell me your hands are clean.”

Patricia’s finger traced his tie, tugging him in until their faces nearly touched.

“What do you mean?” Theo’s face darkened, confusion and suspicion in his eyes.

Her lips curled. “Want the whole story? That’s going to cost you.”

She held her hand out, palm up.

“Five hundred million.”

She suddenly gasped, feigning a lightbulb moment, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, right—the Newton family isn’t what it used to be. Can you even scrape together that kind of cash now, Mr. Newton?”

With a flick of her finger, she brushed off his grip and strode past him back into the main room.

She’d barely made it inside when Sara leaned over and whispered, “Your ex-father-in-law just bought your old place. Gave a big, emotional speech about it too. Almost made me tear up.”