When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 386

Every seat tonight was invitation only. Downstairs was filled with regular tables, but upstairs, each booth was private and every guest had someone there to escort them inside.

Sheila arrived early with Tina. Thanks to the invitation Nicholas had given them, they were led to a booth tucked into the farthest corner on the second floor.

It wasn't the center of the room, but the setup was impressive enough to leave Tina grinning from ear to ear.

Nicholas showed up not long after. The place was crawling with big names, and he was clearly busy working the room. He barely had time to say hello before he moved on.

Tina had hoped to chat more with him, maybe make a good impression, but she barely got a word in. She couldn't help feeling a little let down.

“Big shots really are different. You can just feel it in the way they carry themselves.”

Even though she was disappointed, Tina still felt proud just to have met Nicholas.

The Watson family was one of the top families in the country. Just being invited felt like making a powerful connection.

And Tina had seen how Nicholas treated Sheila. She could hardly contain her excitement. If Sheila really married Brody, maybe Garland Inc. could finally make a comeback.

The more she thought about it, the more Tina warmed up to Sheila, dropping her usual arrogance.

“You're right. Mr. Watson has such a presence, and he's so generous,” Sheila replied with an easy smile. She was in a good mood herself.

Tina leaned in closer. “Sheila, seriously, why is Nicholas so nice to you?”

“I told you before. He respects talent. He likes my work, so he helped me open the gallery and even wants me to tutor his daughter... I guess you could say it's an investment.”

Sheila sounded casual, but she chose her words carefully.

She made sure Tina understood just how much Nicholas valued her. If the Watsons were willing to invest in her personally, she must really be something special.

Sheila frowned. “It’s nothing. I just thought I saw someone I knew.”

She could have sworn... it was Nelly.

Could she even get into a place like this?

Tina kept talking, not noticing Sheila’s distraction. “You know, with so many Watsons here tonight, it’d be great if Brody could have made it too.”

Sheila couldn’t get in touch with Brody, and Tina’s calls were going unanswered as well.

No one knew what Brody was so busy with all the time. He was always focused on work, never bothering to network or make connections. No wonder the company hadn’t really grown at all since he took over.

If only she had a son too…