Chapter 261
Oliver took a step back, holding his phone at arm’s length, his voice suddenly cold. “Sara, are your asking for trouble?”
Sara’s shoulders sank. She bit her lip and didn’t dare say another word.
Across from Oliver, Hector just shook his head, muttering about how quickly some people forget their own family when they’re around someone they like.
That’s your own niece, man. Playing favorites much? No wonder she’s upset.
Oliver snapped again, “Give the phone to your Aunt Patricia.”
Sara handed the phone over to Patricia with watery eyes, staring stubbornly out the car window so she wouldn’t have to face anyone.
Patricia took the phone and reached over to gently rub Sara’s back, already feeling tired. She soothed Sara while talking to Oliver. “It’s nothing, just checking if you’re busy.”
“Are you free? Got anything planned?” Oliver asked.
“No plans,” Patricia replied right away. “Don’t overthink it.”
She made a little more small talk before hanging up.
“I can’t believe I even wanted to come pick him up from work,” Sara said, her voice breaking as she clung to Patricia’s arm, looking like she was about to cry.
Patricia comforted her, “We’re not picking him up now. How about this–let’s take his card and go shopping. Just us. Sound good?”
Sara’s eyes brightened. “Yes! Aunt Patricia, you’re the best.”
Pacific Capital was right next to Riverdale’s biggest shopping district. By the time Patricia and Sara got to the mall, the office crowd from the towers above was already pouring out for dinner.
“Want to shop first, then grab something to eat?” Patricia asked.
Sara nodded without hesitation. “Yes!”
“Don’t be shy. Get whatever you want. It’s your Uncle Oliver’s card, after all.”
Sara’s grin was pure mischief. “Let’s max it out!”
The Padilla family was strict about these things–no flashy outfits, no giant brand logos that might catch the wrong kind of attention.
The shops Sara brought Patricia to were all subtle and classy. Definitely not cheap.
They stood shoulder to shoulder, flipping through racks of elegant clothes, a salesgirl following them and laying on the compliments thick about how slim Sara looked lately.
Sara just gave her a polite, barely–there answer.
Patricia’s own salesgirl didn’t bother to put on an act–she looked bored out of her mind.
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19:24
Chapter 261
Sara picked out a few outfits and headed for the fitting rooms.
Patricia sank into a velvet sofa, pulling out her phone to reply to a message from Auroral
She’d barely touched the screen when someone sat down next to her. “Patricia, fancy running into you here!”
Wendy leaned in, acting way too familiar, her perfume so strong and musky Patricia felt like she’d wandered into an incense shop. It was overwhelming and way too much.
Patricia didn’t bother to hide how uninterested she was. “Do you need something?”
“Just saying hi. We know each other, don’t we?”
“Hi. You can go now.”
Wendy just scooted closer. “Come on, don’t be like that! We can chat. Did you hear Ruby went to Toronto? She’s at that rehab center–the one you recommended, right?”
Patricia raised an eyebrow. “What, thinking of joining her?”
Wendy’s gaze flickered to Patricia’s legs, but Patricia stared right back until Wendy shifted away,
uncomfortable.
“I was just asking,” Wendy muttered.
Patricia shut her notebook and dropped it on the table, then stood up and walked away from the sofa.
Wendy hurried after her. “Don’t you want to know what everyone’s saying about Ruby?”
Patricia pulled out her phone, hit record, and held it up. “Go ahead. I’d love to hear it.”
Wendy’s face changed when she saw the recording screen. “What are you doing?”
Patricia’s voice was cool. “Honestly, I’m way more interested in how Ruby would feel if she knew her so–called best friend started bad–mouthing her as soon as she left the country. What do you think,
Wendy?”
Wendy went silent, lips pressed tightly together, eyes darting away.
19.2
