When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 393

“Ms. Watson?” Tina couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Nelly, you really have some imagination. You? Ms. Watson? Please, this is the best joke I’ve heard today.”

Sheila stood off to the side, her expression frosty. She wasn’t even pretending to be polite anymore. “Nelly, are you done playing around? If I really called Mr. Watson over here, would you still be running your mouth like this?”

“Absolutely,” Nelly replied with a calm, easy smile. “The real question is, would you dare?”

Sheila rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone, dialing Nicholas right in front of everyone. Fine. She’d put Nelly in her place today. Ms. Watson? The idea was so ridiculous Sheila almost pitied her for trying.

But the call didn’t go through.

Nicholas had been called away for something urgent. He might not even be at the venue anymore.

After a few failed attempts, Sheila finally lowered her phone and flashed Nelly a cold, smug smile. “Looks like you got lucky, Nelly. Mr. Watson isn’t picking up.”

“Are you done?” Nelly waited for Sheila to put her phone away. Then, with a steady hand, she lifted a gift box from the organizers and held it out for the bodyguards to see.

“Wait, is that…?”

The bodyguards recognized the box right away. It was an official gift from the hosts.

Nelly opened the box. Inside, nestled in black velvet, was a sapphire bracelet with a beautifully intricate, vintage design. Even in the dim lighting, the gemstone’s blue shimmer was impossible to ignore.

“The Ocean’s Heart?” Sheila’s eyes widened as she recognized it immediately.

“You… just admit it, you must have used some dirty trick!” Tina was so frustrated she could barely speak, refusing to accept the truth.

“That bracelet is insanely valuable, Nelly. There’s no way you would be given something like that. Mrs. Garland is right. If you don’t explain yourself, you’re not leaving so easily,” Sheila said, her voice cold but controlled. She was calmer than Tina, but she hadn’t forgotten how Nelly had once sent her to the police station. A sly, almost satisfied smile played on her lips.

“Nelly, I’m only holding back out of respect for Brody and Carrie. I don’t want to call the police and embarrass the Garland family.”

“The police… right, let’s call the police!” Tina lit up at the suggestion and pulled out her phone. If the police showed up, everything would come out in the open.

“Wow. This is really something.”

Suddenly, the sound of slow, deliberate applause echoed through the room. A cold, deep male voice followed, cutting straight through the tension and sending a chill down everyone’s spine.