When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 189

Nelly showed up at Nicholas’s place first thing in the morning. His house was nestled inside a riverside garden estate, and honestly, it looked more like a private manor than a regular home. The moment she walked through the gates, Nelly finally understood just how extravagant the Watson family really was. There were at least twice as many butlers and staff as there were at Felix’s place, all scattered around the grounds, working with quiet efficiency. The lawn seemed to go on forever, green and perfect.

“Ms. Stewart? Mr. Watson is feeding his birds right now. He’d like you to wait for him in the study.” Someone finally came out to meet her after she’d been waiting a while, and led her inside.

“Thank you,” Nelly replied, following them.

The study was tucked away in the loft of an old, exquisite building. Every detail screamed luxury, from the carefully chosen woodwork to the expensive tiles. The air inside was scented with something calming, and every corner was filled with art and calligraphy—real collector’s pieces, not just for show.

As Nelly wandered quietly, her gaze fell on a portrait in a glass case. It was a sketch of a little girl. There was something hauntingly familiar about her face. Nelly stepped closer, curious, but just then, she heard footsteps at the door.

She had expected Nicholas to make her wait half the morning, but he appeared almost immediately.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. My birds insist I feed them myself every morning,” Nicholas said, his voice gentle but with an unmistakable note of authority.

Nelly smiled politely. “It’s really no trouble, Uncle Nicholas. I’m the one who came by out of the blue.”

Nicholas was dressed in a casual tracksuit and looked even younger than she remembered. He took off his glasses and stretched a little before heading to the tea table. He prepared the tea himself, and set one down in front of her.

“Sit, have some tea.”

“Thank you, Uncle Nicholas.” Nelly took a sip. She wasn’t exactly a tea expert, but she could tell this was something rare and expensive.

She said as much, and Nicholas actually smiled a little. “If you like it, I’ll have someone pack up some for you to take home. As much as you want.”

They chatted for a bit, discussing family and small talk. Nicholas even asked about Jonah and the others. Nelly watched him closely. He was reserved, maybe even a little aloof, but he didn’t seem openly hostile. Still, she couldn’t forget that this kind man could crush her career with a single decision.

After a while, Nelly realized there was no point delaying. “Uncle Nicholas, I think you already know why I’m here today…”

Nicholas set his teacup down and looked at her, his gaze steady, waiting for her to continue. He wasn’t going to make this easy.

“I know you want to say this isn’t fair, that it goes against the rules. But those were just Christopher’s rules, designed for you. In the real business world, that’s as naive as a schoolyard game.”

Every word stung. Nelly’s throat tightened. She had worried she might not even know how to get a seat at the table, but Nicholas’s bluntness made her realize just how big the gap between them truly was.

“As a designer or an entrepreneur, you work hard, but you’re not extraordinary. Depending on the Watson family is understandable, but every advantage comes with risk. You have to be willing to take those risks on yourself. Not just you, even Christopher had to accept that.”

Nicholas’s message was painfully clear. Nelly realized that anything she said now would only make her look more foolish.

She’d never really understood the game. No wonder she ended up facing problems she couldn’t solve. Begging Nicholas was pointless. He was mocking her, pointing out that she just didn’t have Christopher’s talent for business.

Nicholas and Christopher couldn’t be more different. Christopher had been the outcast, the self-made man who built something from nothing and brought new life to the family. Nicholas had always relied on the Watson name to secure his place in the business world.

But in the end, what did it matter? Nicholas’s ability to control the game was every bit as strong as Christopher’s.