You Looked Down on Me Once, Now You Look Up. novel Chapter 419

Private Room

A group of businessmen crowded around a table, clinking glasses with the local officials. The air buzzed with laughter, half-shouted jokes, and the warm glow of too much wine. At some point, someone broke into a loud, off-key version of “The Hills Are Alive,” the rest joining in, voices rising with every chorus. It was a party—one of those dinners that stretched from dusk till late, the kind where you could almost forget about the deals waiting outside.

By the time they finally started wrapping up, it was nearly nine. They’d been here since half past six, and everyone looked ready to call it a night.

Someone raised a half-empty glass and nudged Tucker. “Just one more, Tucker. Last round, and we’re out of here.”

Tucker made a face and waved him off. “Seriously, I can’t. Here’s to another year of abundance for everyone, okay?”

“Come on, Tucker, you know the rule—if the glass isn’t empty, nothing moves forward.” Another guy laughed, glancing at Luke at the head of the table. “And Luke’s watching.”

All eyes flicked to Luke. He didn’t say a word, just sat there with that unreadable look of his. The message was clear enough.

After a beat, Tucker picked up his glass like a man heading for the gallows, knocked back the drink, and set it down with a resigned thud.

The table erupted in applause and cheers.

They pushed back their chairs, getting ready to leave. But as they reached the door, something crashed to the floor.

“Bryson?”

“Bryson? Hey, don’t joke around, get up.”

One of the junior staff knelt down, checking Bryson’s pulse, his face going pale. “Oh god. He’s not breathing.”

Luke’s stomach dropped. He started to move forward, but before he could, two men appeared at the end of the hallway, walking slowly, stopping right outside the room.

Did Luke know Oliver?

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify