You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 87

When Colton showed up at the hospital carrying a fruit basket, Ruby was still in surgery.

He didn’t waste any time, making his way through the halls like he’d been there a hundred times before. At the nurse’s station, he introduced himself, polite but confident.

“Mr. Martin? I’m Colton Padilla, from Cloud Peak—the Padilla family.”

The moment Emerson heard the Padilla name, he shot up from his seat.

“Mr. Padilla, hello!” he said, looking both surprised and nervous.

Colton gave him a small, measured smile. “We’re truly sorry about what happened to Ms. Martin at Cloud Peak. My uncle, Oliver, insisted I come personally to see how she’s doing.”

Oliver Padilla. The infamous third son—the business shark everyone talked about.

People still whispered about how, a few years back, someone tried to cross him over rare resources. In the end, that whole family ended up in prison.

In the business world, Oliver’s name was legendary. His companies were always making headlines, both at home and abroad.

Emerson’s voice was apologetic. “I’m so sorry my daughter’s caused all this trouble.”

Colton shook his head. “Accidents happen, Mr. Martin. No need to apologize.” He glanced at Johns, who stepped forward and handed over the fruit basket.

The basket looked expensive, wrapped in clear cellophane and tied with a bright red ribbon.

It practically screamed upscale.

“Just a little something, Mr. Martin. Please accept it. We’ll leave you to it.”

Emerson nodded so many times it looked like his head might fall off—grateful, but also clearly on edge.

After they left, Emerson let out a huge sigh and set the fruit basket on the chair next to him.

Tina stood up, ripped open the wrapping, and when she saw the basket was full of red dragon fruit, she threw it on the floor in frustration.

“What’s that supposed to mean, giving us red dragon fruit?”

“Are they trying to say ‘good luck’ or what?” she snapped.

Emerson’s lips pressed tight, his face turning sour.

He’d noticed the fruit right away. He didn’t want to accept it, but refusing just wasn’t an option. If the Padilla family showed up in person, you could call it ‘checking in,’ but everyone knew it was really a warning.

“Ruby’s accident happened on their property. If word gets out, it’ll look bad for them too. They’re here to remind us not to make a fuss.”

“And we’re supposed to just go along with this?” Tina shot back.

Emerson didn’t answer. His thoughts were already spinning, trying to figure out who he could talk to, to ease the tension between their families.

“Is Uncle Oliver sneaking off for a secret date?”

Colton rolled his eyes. “Not a chance!”

“Who’d even want an old guy like him?”

“Dating him would be like dating your own dad.”

“You’d do it if you had the chance?” someone teased.

The one being teased looked horrified. “Are you kidding me? I’d have to be insane.”

On the drive to the airport, as Oliver’s car cruised down the outer ring, a convoy of fire trucks raced by in the opposite direction, sirens blaring and lights flashing.

They were headed straight for Patricia’s villa.

***

By half past ten, Patricia had taken care of everything. She sat just behind the sheer curtains, catching muffled sounds from outside.

A slow, satisfied smile spread across her lips as she watched the flames light up the night sky.

She moved her wheelchair through the dimly lit house, gliding from room to room, her figure a ghostly shadow—a woman who looked like she had no intention, or hope, of escaping.