You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 829

The room went completely still. Anyone who hadn’t figured out what was going on by now really didn’t deserve to be here. The woman standing next to him was with Mr. Padilla. There was no way she’d be getting tangled up with Mr. Riggs. But the fact that the two of them had been seen in the hallway, clearly arguing, meant something real had happened.

“Well…” Gilbert faltered, forcing a weak laugh. “Just a misunderstanding, that’s all.”

Patricia already had a pretty good idea what was going on. She shifted slightly, glancing up at Oliver. He leaned down, close enough that she could speak right into his ear. That simple gesture, him lowering himself for her, sent a shock through everyone watching. This was Oliver, after all. The man who never bothered to show respect to anyone in Golden Bay. Yet here he was, softening for this woman.

Patricia spoke quietly, “I saw him in the hallway, with someone. They weren’t just talking.”

Oliver straightened, giving her a gentle pat on the lower back. He got it now.

He knew exactly what was going on. Gilbert, the CEO of Copperleaf, had thrown an engagement party not long ago that everyone in Golden Bay had heard about. His fiancée was probably here tonight. Getting caught with another woman in public, especially with his fiancée around, then trying to blame Patricia to avoid a scandal… That was just asking for trouble.

“If it’s really just a misunderstanding, we can always check the security cameras,” Oliver said, sounding calm and relaxed.

Gilbert’s face drained of color. “Mr. Padilla…”

“Why so nervous, Mr. Riggs?” Oliver’s tone was gentle, but his words had an edge. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”

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