You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 398

Patricia strode into the office and handed the phone back to her assistant. “If this happens again, you’ll need to start looking for a new boss.”

The assistant nodded so fast she looked dizzy, her face pale with nerves. Sure, she was scared—but that didn’t stop her from wondering. Had things really blown up between them?

—

By the time the sun was setting, Patricia had swapped into a crisp, no-nonsense outfit: black pants, a cropped jacket, and a pair of sturdy combat boots. She looked like she meant business—confident, sharp, impossible to ignore.

A sleek black SUV carried them toward the spot Theo had picked. The emptier the streets got, the more Jackson seemed to enjoy himself. “He chose an open space like that? What, did he hire a sniper?”

“I checked the place out. There’s nothing around for a whole kilometer—no cover, nowhere to hide. He’s not messing around,” Jackson said.

Colton, riding shotgun, shot him a look. “You’re not even a little worried? Why do you sound so excited? Most people would be freaking out right now.”

Jackson just grinned. “You don’t get it. I used to be top of my game.”

“Oh, wow, congratulations,” Colton deadpanned. “Now you’re a bodyguard. Real glow up.”

Jackson rolled his eyes. “It’s called paying back what you owe. Look it up.”

“If I’m ever a doctor in my next life, first thing I’ll do is sew your mouth shut,” Colton muttered.

Jackson just ignored him and glanced at Patricia in the mirror. “Miss, when we get there, keep your distance from Theo. Guy’s crazy, you never know what he’ll pull.”

Patricia’s voice was cool and steady. “He won’t try anything. The Newton family can’t afford more drama right now. He knows it. With what’s happened to his mom and grandma, he won’t get his hands dirty himself.”

They were supposed to meet Theo at eight, but he showed up early—seven-forty, waiting at the spot.

“It’s not confidence. You’re just making this too simple.”

Theo’s voice softened, almost sounding tired. “Patricia, how did things get this bad between us?”

“Ask Ruby,” Patricia replied, her words loaded with meaning.

The real story was so much messier than Theo could guess. Now wasn’t the time to lay it all out. She’d wait for Ruby to come back—then, and only then, would everything make sense.

Theo’s eyes narrowed in surprise. He stepped closer, trying to edge Patricia away from the tree, make her an easy target.

But Patricia saw right through him. She took a step back, then suddenly stopped, standing her ground.

Two seconds later, a gunshot split the air. The bullet tore past her back and smashed into the tree beside her.