When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 71

“Jonah?”

“How did the brand visit go? I’m almost in your area. Want to grab lunch together?”

Jonah’s voice was warm through the phone. Nelly could hear a GPS talking in the background, so he was still driving.

“I finished already. I’m just shopping now,” Nelly replied. Her tone was flat, a little heavy, like she was carrying something she didn’t want to talk about.

Jonah picked up on it right away. “What’s up?”

“What do you do when you’re so angry you can’t control yourself, when you want to do something you know you shouldn’t?” Nelly blurted out.

Jonah fell silent for a second, caught off guard. Then a smile crept into his voice. “You do it.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s just what people do. And because you were born a Watson.”

There was something cool and distant in Jonah’s words. Nelly couldn’t tell if he was joking or not.

She lowered her voice. “I used to hate people who threw their weight around, but now I’m doing the same thing.”

“You’re not the kind of person who would bully someone,” Jonah said gently.

“I am,” Nelly shot back.

She’d been bottling up her feelings for days, but emotions have a way of breaking out. One tiny spark, and everything could go up in flames.

The truth was, she wanted to inherit the Watson fortune mostly out of spite. She was terrified she’d turn out cold and ruthless, just like Brody and the rest of the Garland family.

“You’re not like them,” Jonah said again. “And anyway, some people just have it coming.”

His voice was steady, deep. It always had a way of calming her down.

Meanwhile, Sheila and Selina had been waiting forever. They didn’t get their promised handbag, but got the news that it was gone.

The sales associate who had helped them earlier came over, looking apologetic.

“I’m so sorry. The bag you reserved was taken by another customer. I’ll let you know as soon as we get another one in.”

Selina didn’t even let her finish. “What are you talking about? Don’t you have a first-come, first-served rule? I already paid a deposit!”

“The deposit’s been refunded. Please check your account,” the associate said quickly.

“I don’t care about the deposit. I want the bag! If you don’t give it to me, I’m filing a complaint right now!”

“I really am sorry, but our store policy gives top clients priority for limited editions.”

Selina was about to lose it, but Sheila stayed calm.

“Even if there’s a priority system, we paid a deposit. That basically means we bought it. You don’t get that? Or does your VIP customer not get it either?”

Selina’s eyes widened as the truth hit her.

This wasn’t about some store policy. Someone had swooped in on purpose to steal their bag.

Selina still wanted to argue, but Sheila stopped her, holding her arm.

The associate was now flanked by security guards, who clearly weren’t planning to be polite.

“Fine. Your store is really something else,” Sheila said coolly.

She pulled Selina away, but not before glancing at the name tag on the senior associate’s uniform.

Once outside, Selina was fuming. “Sheila, you’re way too calm. They’re obviously messing with us! We’re just going to let it go?”

“Someone’s out to get you, and you think it’s a good idea to just stand there and let them?” Sheila replied. She found a spot to sit, pulled out her phone, and started typing a message.

Selina huffed, “Why not just call Mr. Garland? The staff are just hiding behind someone else’s power. No one in Westhaven would disrespect Mr. Garland. I want to see who this so-called VIP actually is.”

This luxury boutique mainly sold women’s handbags. Which lady could possibly be more important than Brody?

Sheila took a deep breath. “No need to bother Brody. I have my own way.”

“What way…” Selina was watching her, curiosity written all over her face.

At that moment, Sheila’s phone buzzed with a reply. Carlos was calling.

Sheila knew the Watson family invested in this store. No matter how important the client was, they weren’t bigger than the Watsons.

She explained what happened to Carlos.

Carlos didn’t hesitate. “Send me the store address and the associate’s name. I’ll get someone to take care of it. Just wait a bit, then go back in.”