You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 777

Oliver was really sick this time. After working flat out for over ten days, he barely made it home. International conferences were a nightmare—meetings all day, brainstorming sessions all night. Anyone who had ever been to one knew just how intense it got. But instead of resting or even trying to get over his jet lag, he rushed straight over to see Patricia. It was no surprise that the exhaustion and stress finally caught up with him.

Of course, he just had to collapse at Pacific Capital. The ambulance came, sirens blaring, hauling him off in front of everyone. Hector was left scrambling, trying to keep Oliver alive and also racing the entertainment reporters, desperate to spin this into a story about Oliver being a dedicated, overworked boss. He was terrified that one of their rivals would jump in first, stir up some messy rumors, and send Pacific Capital’s stock tumbling.

Oliver had just stolen the show at the Swiss summit, and he didn’t even get a chance to enjoy his moment. Now Hector had to figure out how to control the narrative before things got out of hand. The whole thing just made his chest tight.

“I’m not a doctor. Why are you calling me?” Patricia asked, her voice flat.

“You’re his wife, aren’t you?” Hector shot back. “Come on, Pattie, couples fight, sure, but you don’t actually want him dead, right?”

“If you’re so worried, Mr. McKee, maybe you should go to the hospital yourself,” Patricia replied.

“How can I not be worried?” Hector’s voice got louder. “Ask Chelsea how she feels about her professor having an affair with her senior and now she can’t even graduate. That’s how I feel right now. If Oliver’s alive, I’m just a workhorse. If he dies, I don’t even qualify as that. Look, you two have been married for years. Isn’t there anything you can talk through? It’s not like he’s suddenly going to change everything about himself. The man has had the same flaws for decades. Did you think a couple years of marriage would magically fix him? That’s just wishful thinking.” Hector let out a long sigh. “Honestly, this is all unnecessary. You’re married. Life is long. Is there any problem the two of you can’t work out by just talking? Why let it get this far?”

“And you’d better come now. Jaxon and the others are on their way. If you’re not here when they arrive, this isn’t just a couple’s spat anymore. It’ll turn into something both families will have to deal with.”

“Is that a threat?” Patricia asked quietly.

Hector sounded frustrated. “Come on, what do I have against you? Believe me, I’m not threatening you. But Sara’s probably already gone and told everyone back in Golden Bay about your fight. Oliver barely landed in Riverdale before Jaxon and the rest started heading over. They’re on their way now. I’m just saying, keep this between you and Oliver. Don’t drag the families into it. Your uncle still has to go back to Riverdale. You know what I mean.”

Colby nodded.

“I’ll call him later. I’ve got something urgent too,” she said, brushing past him.

Colby just said okay and went ahead to press the elevator button.

When Patricia got to the hospital, she ran right into Jaxon and the others at the entrance. Sara saw her first and rushed over, hugging her tight and calling out, “Aunt Patricia.”