When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 210

It was just after noon at the Watson family’s old estate.

Jonah had barely taken a step out of the main house, guided by a butler in a crisp suit, when he almost collided with Nancy and Rudy coming up the stairs. He’d just finished talking with Michael, who’d invited him to stay for lunch, mentioning there would be other guests. Jonah hadn’t expected Rudy to be one of them.

Michael clearly had no concern for Jonah’s feelings. What surprised Jonah even more was seeing Nancy and Rudy together. Wasn’t there supposed to be bad blood between them? Yet here they were, showing up side by side to visit Michael.

Jonah gave Nancy a quick glance. She immediately stepped away from Rudy, putting space between them. Rudy, on the other hand, acted like he hadn’t even noticed. He smirked, took a big step forward, and blocked Jonah’s path.

“What’s this? Have you forgotten your manners? You can’t even say hello when you seeme?” Rudy’s tone was dripping with sarcasm, pretending to be polite but obviously calling him out.

Jonah just smiled, cool and unbothered, finally looking Rudy in the eye. “Seems like the Chandler family remembers the Watson rules better than we do. Do we really need to greet each other?”

“Of course we do. Didn’t we settle all our scores last time, right in front of Michael? Thanks to you, I was stuck at home for three days,” Rudy said, reaching out to slap Jonah’s shoulder with a grin that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

Jonah didn’t step away. But as Rudy’s slaps got heavier, Jonah caught his wrist and twisted, fast and merciless.

Rudy barely had time to react before his arm was bent behind him. His body twisted awkwardly, legs shaking so hard he almost dropped to his knees.

Jonah always looked like a perfect gentleman, but Rudy had learned the hard way that under all those pressed shirts, he was built solid. The kind of muscle that looked ready for a fight at any moment.

“Jonah, what are you doing? This is the Watson estate!” Rudy’s voice shook. He’d been pampered his whole life, terrified of pain and even more scared of embarrassment.

“Yes. This is the Watson estate.” Jonah’s voice was soft, but there was nothing gentle or submissive about him now.

“Let go! Jonah…” Rudy’s face twisted in pain, yelling for someone to help.

The butler hesitated, unsure whether to step in. Jonah shot him a look. “This is between me and Mr. Chandler. You don’t need to get involved. Please, give us some privacy.”

Nancy rushed over and grabbed Jonah’s arm. “Felix isn’t here, but Michael is.”

She knew Jonah. He looked tame on the outside, but deep down, he was intense. Felix must have done something to keep him in check all these years. That had started to change since Nelly came back.

“It really wasn’t my fault this time…” Rudy tried to defend himself, but Nancy shot him a look, cutting him off.

“Grandpa, please don’t be mad. We’ll be more careful from now on,” she said quickly.

Michael wasn’t blind. He’d seen Jonah overpower Rudy, but his words made it clear who he blamed.

Rudy’s last punishment had already shown where Michael stood. This was still the Watson estate. Jonah might not be the most important person here, but he was still a Watson. And now that Nelly, Christopher’s daughter, was close with him, Rudy didn’t stand a chance.

Nancy glanced at Jonah. He met her eyes, looking relaxed, almost bored, but there was a spark there—like he was daring her to say something.

Nancy had spoken, so Rudy had no choice but to straighten his collar and mutter under his breath, “Fine. Guess I’ll steer clear of lunatics from now on.”

Michael started down the stairs. “Lunchtime. I’m hungry. Let’s go to the dining room.”

He didn’t look back. Rudy and Nancy followed quickly, falling into step behind him.