You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 62

“Joseph.” Theo’s voice was low and sharp, his expression dark as he stared him down. “You’re trying to push my buttons, aren’t you?”

“Or was that little speech supposed to give me a hint?” The silence in the hospital room dragged on, heavy and endless. Joseph could feel sweat pooling in the palm of his hand, the one wrapped in a cast.

Theo’s face looked downright terrifying.

“We’ve been friends for years. You know the kind of person I am.”

“That’s not a given.” Theo’s eyes flicked to Nina, unreadable and cold.

That look said it all.

Joseph’s heart dropped.

Did Theo know? Had he figured out he was being played?

When Theo left, Joseph slumped against the headboard, cold sweat still breaking out on his skin.

Nina hadn’t managed to say a word the entire time.

She’d been so excited when Theo showed up, ready to run straight to him. But before she could even say hi, he was already gone.

“Mr. Newton, we found out who leaked it,” Aiden rushed in, tablet in hand. “It was Ms. Miller who tipped off the press.”

“How did she find out?” Theo’s voice was ice.

Aiden just shook his head, helpless.

The tangled mess of rich families—no one could ever keep track.

“Go ask her, straight up.” Theo didn’t waste words. Aiden nodded, hurried out, and took the elevator upstairs.

Nina stammered that she’d heard it from a friend, said someone she knew had been on the same flight as Theo.

Theo must have decided it wasn’t worth his energy, because he didn’t press it.

He was just about to head to the office when his grandma called, insisting he come home.

“He’s my only son. If I spoil him, that’s my business. Easy for you to judge when you’re not the one raising him.”

Howard ignored her, dropped a black chess piece, and finally spoke. “The company’s shares have dropped twenty percent. The shareholders are furious. They’ve called me nonstop, begging me to come back and take charge.”

“For now, you’re stepping down. Stay home. Let things cool off.”

“Dad,” Theo said, his voice suddenly urgent, “I can handle this. Let me fix it.”

“Oh, really?” Howard shot back. “Tell me, how exactly do you plan to fix it?”

“Ever since the rumors about you and Nina started, every time you think you’ve dealt with the mess, something new blows up. Maybe you’re capable, but clearly, someone else is always one step ahead.”

Howard remembered the Martin family’s daughter—Patricia. Even as a kid, she’d had a kind of quiet authority. He remembered seeing her at events, calm and collected, every move graceful.

He’d always thought Patricia would be the strongest heir of her generation. Who would’ve guessed she’d wind up as his own daughter-in-law?

“Tell me what’s really going on between you and Patricia. I’ll go talk to her myself and see if I can smooth things over.”