When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 397

Nicholas turned to Nelly, his face giving nothing away. He didn’t bother to reply. Honestly, he’d never liked her much. Sure, Sheila and Tina were clearly in the wrong today, but with Jonah around, there was zero chance Nelly was actually getting picked on. This whole thing felt staged. It was obvious they’d set Sheila and Tina up, letting them get all worked up before coming in with a harsh reality check. And of course, it made him look bad, too.

He turned to Sheila. “Ms. Olson, what happened here?”

Sheila’s eyes welled up right away, and she looked at Nicholas with a trembling voice. “Mr. Watson, I have no idea how things got like this. Mrs. Garland and I just saw Nelly... Mrs. Garland got the wrong idea, and that’s why there was a conflict... We really didn’t know. I’m so sorry!”

Sheila’s voice broke as she started to cry. She hung her head, apologizing first to Nicholas, then quickly turning to Nelly. “Nelly, I’m really sorry. This is all my fault. If you’re upset, blame me. Mrs. Garland’s older and sometimes loses her temper...”

Nelly couldn’t help but laugh, completely taken aback by Sheila’s sudden tears. “Sheila, you must have taken acting lessons. That switch was so quick.”

“Nelly, she’s apologized. No need to keep pushing,” Nicholas finally said. He knew Sheila had always been kind and polite. Obviously, Tina was the one stirring up trouble, and Sheila just got pulled in. Nelly had set this up, and now it was spiraling.

He handed Sheila a handkerchief and gave her shoulder a gentle pat.

“I know you’ve been hurt, but honestly, I have to take some of the blame here,” Nicholas said. “I never told Ms. Olson who you really are.”

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