You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 825

Bella showed up in a sleek black dress, the kind that hugged every curve and sparkled under the lights. She looked like she owned the place. Patricia had heard the gossip—Bella had snagged herself a rich fiancé from Golden Bay and moved in, supposedly busy planning her wedding. Still, Patricia never thought she’d run into her tonight at a Padilla family party.

“What are you doing here?” Bella’s tone was sharper than her heels.

Patricia locked her phone and met Bella’s gaze, cool and calm. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

Bella smirked. “So, done stirring things up in Riverdale? Now you’re trying your luck in Golden Bay? Do people here even realize how ruthless you are? That you’d turn on your own family?”

Patricia arched an eyebrow. “And what about you, Ms. Oriol? Does your precious fiancé know about that little boy toy you kept hidden in Riverdale?”

Everyone knew Bella’s wild streak back in Riverdale. She’d partied hard, made headlines, until suddenly she had a ring on her finger and a new address in Golden Bay. Lucky for her, her fiancé wasn’t from Riverdale—or her past would have been all over the front page by now.

Patricia tilted her head. “Since you’re here, I’m guessing your fiancé is too. Maybe I should go have a chat with him?”

She leaned against the counter, looking at Bella with a lazy confidence that was almost cruel. Bella’s face went pale, her mouth tightening like she wanted to fire back. Before she could, Patricia reached out and tucked a loose strand of Bella’s hair behind her ear. The fringe of her earring swayed gently with the motion.

“Keep your distance,” Patricia said, voice low. “I’m not Ruby. I won’t let you walk all over me.”

Just then, the bathroom stall door opened. Patricia knew Sara was about to step out, so she brushed past Bella and made her way to the door.

The Padilla family was hosting tonight’s event in Golden Bay. Before they arrived, Bella’s fiancé had warned her about keeping a low profile, absolutely no drama. If not for that, Bella would’ve snapped back at Patricia on the spot.

As soon as Patricia left, Bella gripped the edge of the counter and let out a long, frustrated sigh. A curse slipped out, bitter and soft.

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