Chapter 17
“Oliver, what happened?” Nina and Kelly were still in the car, about to leave when Oliver burst out of the house, blood dripping down his forehead. The sight stopped them cold.
“Why are you two still here?” Oliver snapped, his face tight with irritation.)
Kelly shot her a look. “Are we just going to let Patricia walk all over you?” She
already halfway out of the car, spoiling for a fight.”
Oliver reached out to stop her, but Kelly slipped right past. “Mom, just stay out of it.”
Kelly wasn’t listening. “Patricia! You lunatic, get out here right now!“}
“Mom!” Oliver’s head throbbed. Everything felt like it was spinning out of control.”
Kelly stormed into the living room, ready to throw down, but she stopped short when she saw Jackson standing protectively by Patricia’s side. He looked every bit the ex–soldier–buzz cut, dressed in black, his whole vibe cold and dangerous. Nobody in their right mind would mess with him.
Kelly scoffed. “Alright. I finally figure out why you are still a virgin. I bet Jackson’s the real reason, huh?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm,
Who would keep a young, good–looking guy like Jackson hanging around unless there’s something there? And he wasn’t just good–looking–he was built, and he never left Patricia’s side. Anyone would get suspicious.
Jackson’s voice was low and flat, but there was no mistaking the threat. “Mrs. Newton, you’d better watch what you say. Ms. Martin doesn’t stoop to your level, but I’m not so polite.”
Kelly stepped right up to him. “And who asked you? Since when does my daughter–in–law need you to speak for her?”
He didn’t flinch, just squared his shoulders. “Your daughter–in–law and my employer are the same person, aren’t they? If you don’t want me to throw you out, I suggest you back off.”
“You think you can lay a hand on me?” Kelly glared at him. She was a big deal in Riverdale’s art world, with or without the Newton name.”
Jackson just smirked. “Try me.”
Oliver was desperate to keep things from getting worse, grabbed Kelly’s arm and dragged her out of the living room. As he pulled the door shut, his eyes met Patricia’s–there was something dark and dangerous lurking in Patricia’s gaze.
Back at the Newton estate, the family doctor was patching up Oliver’s forehead on the couch. Kelly hovered nearby, still fuming.
“She hits you and you just let her? Why didn’t you hit her back?” Kelly grumbled.
“What kind of man hits a woman?” Oliver shot back, tired.
Kelly crossed her arms. “Does she even treat you like a man?“}
“Mom, I’ve got enough on my plate. Please, just let it go.“.
The doctor finished bandaging her up. Oliver got to her feet and looked at Kelly. “I’ll handle Patricia. Don’t mess with her. If you push her too far, she’ll just make things worse for me, or drag our name through the mud in the press. None of us need that.”
*So you’re just going to let her walk all over you? What does she take our family for?
“Oliver!”
Oliver was done arguing. He grabbed her suit jacket and walked out.
Aiden was waiting in the driver’s seat, watching his through the rearview mirror. His mood was written all over her face–dark and stormy. “Mr. Newton, heading back to the office?” he asked quietly.
Oliver sighed. “Yeah. Take me to the office.”
“Ms. Miller called. She’s waiting at your apartment,” Aiden added, careful. He knew better than to get on the wrong side of any of the women in Oliver’s life. After all, no one knew which of them might end up as the real Mrs. Newton in the end.
