You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 385

Patricia had always known the truth. Some of the men at the top of the political food chain quietly went in for cosmetic treatments. They wanted to look younger than the people around them, to seem full of energy and drive. Anything to stay in the spotlight as long as possible.

If Oliver hadn’t shown her Sean’s photo that night, she never would have guessed the old man standing in front of her was already eighty. He looked, at most, just over sixty. Way younger than Mrs. Newton ever did.

“And you are?” Sean held out his hand, the gesture heavy with expectation, like he was used to people jumping to attention.

Patricia didn’t move. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs, coolly sizing him up.

Her easy confidence reminded Sean of something Howard once said: “I won’t deny she’s impressive. She’s young, but she’s sharp. Decisive. She’s got something most people her age don’t.”

Back then, Sean had just scoffed. A young woman like her—how much trouble could she really be?

But now, looking at her, he realized Howard was right. She had a calm, unshakable confidence that made people take notice.

Most people in her position would look defensive, maybe a little on guard. Not Patricia. She looked like she couldn’t care less.

Sean slowly dropped his hand.

Patricia finally spoke. “Do we know each other?”

He gave a quick nod. “First time. I’m Mrs. Newton’s brother. Sean.”

Patricia just said, “Okay. What do you want?”

“If you have a minute, I’d like to talk,” he said.

She was blunt. “I don’t see what we have to talk about.”

“If you’re here about your sister’s case, I’ve already listened to the police and dropped it.”

Right then, Brandon came over with a stack of documents, handing them to Patricia.

She spun the photos in her fingers, completely unfazed. “Greg came looking for trouble. Tried to mess with me. Isn’t that what Kelly’s being accused of?”

“But what I see,” Sean said, “is you and Greg plotting against Kelly. Trying to set her up.”

Patricia laughed. “You want to talk about evidence? That’s what matters in court. Judges need a chain of proof. You can talk about motives and intentions all you want, but that’s not enough.”

“Truth only belongs to a few people,” Sean said. “Do you really think it’s the evidence that matters?”

“Then what does matter?” Patricia asked.

“Power. I’ve been in Golden Bay for decades. Don’t think I can’t handle something like this.”

Patricia looked down at her perfectly polished boots, then looked up at him with a slow, knowing smile. “Are you just speaking for yourself, Mr. Newton, or for every big shot in Golden Bay?”