You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 333

Patricia froze with her glass halfway to her lips. Her long lashes fluttered, catching a bit of the condensation as she looked up. “Okay. We’ll do it your way.”

Jackson stared at her, totally thrown. “Wait, are you serious?”

Patricia nodded, calm as ever. “Yeah. I’m serious.”

“But do you really think Nina’s going to agree to this?” Jackson asked.

Patricia’s lips quirked up. “If she doesn’t, we’ll just give her a little nudge. Make things look a certain way, you know?”

At the airport, the plane touched down and rolled to a stop. Nina waited by the baggage carousel, chatting halfheartedly with the person next to her while scanning her phone every few minutes. Only after she grabbed her suitcase did she finally put the phone away. The people around her started heading out with their luggage carts, and Nina followed, stepping outside into the cool air to wait for her ride.

A sleek black van pulled up right in front of her, stopping with perfect timing.

Jackson got out from the passenger seat. “Ms. Miller, Miss Carter wants to see you.”

Wants to see her. The way he said it made it clear—Patricia wasn’t asking. She was sure Nina would get in that van.

“Is something wrong?” Nina asked. She knew Jackson. He was basically Patricia’s right-hand man—sometimes it felt like he was her shadow.

“There is, but this isn’t the place to talk about it,” Jackson said quietly.

Nina hesitated. Patricia Carter wasn’t exactly known for being friendly.

Sensing her doubt, Jackson added, “Don’t worry, Ms. Miller. Miss Carter knows exactly who’s on her side and who isn’t.”

Nina glanced at the people nearby, then nodded. “Fine. But let’s talk at my house.”

Jackson nodded in agreement.

When Nina climbed into the van, Patricia finally looked away from the guy who’d been standing next to her.

Nina’s face went pale. “If the Newtons really want to arrange a marriage with my family, that’s exactly what I’ve been hoping for. Isn’t your warning kind of pointless?”

“Pointless?” Patricia laughed softly. “You’re still so naive. Go home and ask your parents.”

She leaned in, eyes sharp. “Marry Theo, and you’ll end up just like me.”

They drove in silence, the city lights flashing by, until they reached the Miller family estate.

As the van came to a stop, Patricia spoke one last time. “Theo doesn’t love you, Nina. He won’t marry you for love—he’ll do it because he needs you, because he wants to use you. If you really go through with it, make him swear on the Newton family’s future that he’s marrying you for love. If not, may he never get what he wants.”

Patricia looked straight at her. “Call me when you decide.”

As Nina was about to step out, Patricia added, “And one more thing—don’t rush to take off your makeup or hop in the shower. Wait a bit. He’ll be here soon.”