Chapter 18
IN
His boss breezed through the crowd of women, and he trailed after him like a dutiful little worker bee, bucket in hand, picking up the pieces.
“Back to the office,” Oliver said again.
Oliver and Nina had only spent the night together once. And even then, it was all part of Nina’s plan.
Whether anything actually happened that night, or if they just lay there undressed and untouched on the same bed, only the two of them knew the truth.
Aiden, for one, remembered every detail. Oliver had staggered away from the bar, so drunk he could barely stand. Aiden had booked a room and dragged him upstairs. Oliver couldn’t even kick off his own shoes.
And the next morning? No one could say why Nina ended up in that room, or why she was naked under his blanket.§
Right now, Oliver’s head was splitting in two. He slouched in his office chair, elbow propped on the armrest, brow pinched tight in pain.”
It was true–he and Patricia didn’t have any real feelings for each other. But things hadn’t gotten so bad that they’d go out of their way to make each other miserable. However, everything changed the morning he woke up, groggy and hungover, to find Joseph’s little sister lying in bed next to him…
Oliver didn’t go home for two days.”
The longer he stayed away, the more ruthless Patricia became. She told the kitchen not to send any food to Judy, and even blocked the delivery guys from bringing anything up from the gate.
Starving, Judy’s stomach felt glued to her backbone as she tried to plead her case with Patricia.
Patricia shut her down with just one line: “No work, no food.”
“But… I tried calling Mr. Newton, and he’s not answering,” Judy said, panic creeping into her voice. Was Patricia really going to let her starve just because Oliver wasn’t coming home?}]
This was supposed to be civilized country–you could get in trouble for starving someone.
Still, Judy was too scared to stand up to Patricia.
“Come on, I can help with other stuff! You have been moving furniture and swapping out decorations–I can pitch in.”
Patricia didn’t even look up. “It’s not that big a job. We don’t need more people. Judy, just mind your own business.”
And with that, Judy was shoved out the door.
Left standing in the hallway, she glared at the big double doors and muttered a curse under her breath. “Damn cripple. Go to hell.”
She barely got the words out before she turned and nearly walked smack into Jackson, who was glaring at her like he wanted to put her through a wall.@
“Want me to wash that foul mouth of yours?” he growled.”
“N–no, I’m good,” Judy stammered.”
He was terrifying. What kind of proper family kept a guy like him around?”
Three days ticked by, and Oliver still hadn’t come home.
Patricia didn’t budge an inch. Judy didn’t get a single bite to eat. Finally, light–headed and desperate, Judy called Kelly for help. Kelly stormed in, all fire and fury. “Patricia, what are you trying to do, humiliate me?“}
Patricia sat by the window, absently tending to her plant. She looked up, her gaze cool. “Mrs. Newton, you’re being dramatic. You sent Judy to me. How I use her is my business. If she doesn’t do her job, am I not allowed to discipline her? Or do you think she’s too good for me?“%
With a gentle push of her wheels, Patricia turned to face Kelly head–on. “If that’s the case, you can take her back.”
Kelly’s righteous anger fizzled out in a second. If Patricia said she’d throw them both out, she probably meant it
Off to the side, Marian watched the whole thing with a smirk, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Wow, Mrs. Newton, you sure move fast when it’s a maid in trouble. But when your own daughter–in–law’s been hurt, I’ve never seen you do a thing “W
Chapter 19
