You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 676

Brandon shuffled the files in his hands and settled into the chair across from Tina.

He looked at her, calm and steady. “Do you want to explain things yourself, or should we start asking questions?”

Tina met his gaze. “Explain what? What questions?”

Wham. The guy next to Brandon slammed his hand on the table, his frustration boiling over. “Tina, don’t play innocent. Emerson already told us everything. He said you’re his partner in this.”

“He covered it all—the why, the how, the where. He even described how you cried to Grandma after it was over. Every single detail.”

Tina shrugged, defiant. “Well, if you know everything already, what do you need me for?”

“You’ve got some nerve…” The other man started to snap back, but Brandon pressed a steady hand to his shoulder, signaling him to let it go.

“Tina, we have more than enough evidence to link you to what happened back then. Whether you talk or not, it won’t change the outcome. We can still charge you. But is this really how you want it to end? After thirty years of marriage, your own husband throws you under the bus.”

“If I recall, Emerson cheated on you and even has a child out there. If you go to jail, your daughter and Emerson’s new kid are going to end up fighting over everything you built.”

“Ms. Klotz, you’ve been in charge for so many years. You understand what’s at stake better than anyone.”

Tina’s hands were locked together so tightly her knuckles turned white. Even her wrists trembled.

“I want to see Ruby.”

“While you’re being questioned, you can only see your lawyer. No one else.”

“Then I’ll wait for my lawyer.”

The interrogation room door closed behind them. Brandon’s colleague tossed his folder on the table, frustration written all over his face.

“These rich types, man. Every one of them thinks they’re smarter than the last.”

“They’re a nightmare to interrogate.”

Brandon passed him a bottle of water. “Take it easy.”

He wrapped his arm around her from behind, his hand moving slowly up and down her back, soothing her until she started to relax.

The flight attendant glanced over and almost couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She’d heard Oliver Padilla’s name plenty of times—handsome, powerful, born into privilege, always in the spotlight. She never would have guessed he could be so soft and attentive with someone.

Turns out even the toughest men have a gentle side when it comes to the right person.

Halfway through the flight, turbulence rattled the plane.

Patricia woke up, disoriented, pressing her hand to her forehead and staring at the ceiling, still half asleep and clearly annoyed.

Oliver noticed right away. He leaned in, his voice low and warm. “You’re awake?”

Patricia blinked, her face scrunched with sleepiness and irritation.

She just wanted to drift back off, but the turbulence wasn’t letting up.

Oliver put down his phone, slid his arm around her waist, and pulled her close. “Come here. Let me hold you while you sleep.”