Colton, this is really want in n of those chreany Yananer note yours the rocky half ting the other the rupees rotte
Cohan what hapted the The Mad Aays the subterate, and the * Boyle Ding the loyal but forever is the frente
Troge juret trust that really spen
While at this was happening, Sara was blowing op Patricia’s phone with texts
Bin Patrick was kind of busy To be fair, it was mostly Oliver’s fault. He was keeping her very, very ecoupled She was about to lose it–her sanity was hanging by a thread
Forty minutes later, Oliver was curled around her in bed, his body burning up against hers. She felt way too hot but she didn’t have the energy to move
I’ve got to leave for Melbourne tomorrow,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss against her ear. “I’ll be gone for a week”
“Behave while I’m away. If anything comes up, ask Aiden to handle it. And don’t let Sara drag you off to any crazy places.”
“Even if she tries, you’re not going.”
Patricia couldn’t help but laugh, rolling her eyes. “Alright, I hear you.”
The second Oliver was out the door, Sara went full wild child. With no one else around to keep her busy, she turned all her attention to Patricia.
Oliver, for his part, looked worried right up until bedtime, just thinking about leaving Patricia alone with Sara.
Before sunrise, he dragged Sara onto the plane with him.
When Patricia woke up the next morning, the house was weirdly quiet. No Oliver. No Sara. She wandered into the kitchen, confused.
Marian was setting out breakfast when she saw her. “Mr. Martin said Ms. Padilla was too much of a handful to leave at home, so he took her to Melbourne. Didn’t want her disturbing your peace.”
Patricia blinked. “Sara didn’t fight back?”
Marian laughed, pouring her coffee. “Oh, she wouldn’t dare. Mr. Martin’s so strict–around him, Ms. Padilla turns into a mouse.”
It was true. Sara was totally intimidated by Oliver. Even though the early flight had completely wrecked her, she didn’t dare complain. Instead, she just bombarded Patricia’s phone with a stream of dramatic messages.
Your husband is evil!
Seriously, he’s the worst!
Patricia stared at the screen, wanting to comfort her, but everything she typed felt pointless. So she
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19:26
just sem Sara a generous chunk of each instead
Sometimes money says “I care” better than any woede can
With Oliver away. Fatricia threw hersell into work, determined to get her footing at the company
That afternoon, Aurora slid up to her, locking annoyingly pleased with herself. Found that accountant you wanted‘
“But she’s not at the company anymore Got fired three months ago over some drama Sull, I’m pretty sure she’s got what you need‘
She sloped her a note with an address and contact info
“How’d you track her down?” Patricia asked, raising an eyebrow.
Aurora grinned “Easy Some guy in accounting has been trying to get with me forever. I just played along a little.”
Patricia smirked. “You hooked up with him?”
Aurora rolled her eyes. “Please. He wishes. I just called him ‘big brother‘ a few times, wore some Chanel, carried my Hermès, and he was eating out of my hand.”
Some guys really were that easy. Flash a little style and attention, and suddenly they’re desperate to
help.
Patricia just shook her head.
As soon as Aurora left, Patricia snapped a photo of the note and sent it to Jackson, asking him to check the details.
“I’ll get Aiden on it,” Jackson replied. “Greg already went to find Kelly.”
“So everything’s in motion?” Patricia asked.
“All set,” Jackson confirmed, glancing over at Greg getting out of a Volkswagen across the street. His face was all business.
“Tell Kelly-”
She was about to say more when someone knocked on the office door.
“Mr. Martin, there’s an elderly lady downstairs who says her last name is Shen.”
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