Chapter 2700


    “Mr. Harris, you’re quite the gentleman tonight, far more than that evening we first met,” Regina said


    with a twinkle in her eye, prompting Nn to arch an eyebrow and quip back, “And Ms. Tanner, you


    seem far gentler than I remember from that night.”


    Both burst intoughter, a sight that Madeline found utterly unforgivable.


    When did this shameless woman start flirting with Nn?


    He was supposed to be her catch. How dare she!


    But amid the crowd, Madeline couldn’t let her jealousy show. She stered on a smile and approached


    Nn.


    “Mr. Harris, where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you,” she said, pointedly ignoring


    Regina standing beside him.


    Nn, spotting Madeline sidling up, instinctively stepped back to maintain a courteous social distance.


    “I’m sorry, and you are?” asked Nn.


    Madeline’s smile froze on her face.


    Regina could see right through her ploy, but it was hardly surprising she’d set her sights on Nn.


    Even if youbined the charm of every other man in the room, they wouldn’t stack up to Nn.


    Still, Madeline’s forwardness was a bit much. She should have known her ce instead of throwing


    herself at Nn like that, especially when every heiress in the room was eyeing him from a respectful


    distance.


    What could Madeline possibly offer?


    “Mr. Harris, you must be jesting. I’m Madeline Tanner, the second daughter of the Tanner family. We


    met earlier upstairs, remember? Oh, but then I had that little tumble when my sister pushed me down;


    perhaps you didn’t quite catch my face,” Madeline said, shooting a nce at Regina, whose expression


    remained cool with a hint of an elusive smile, as if mocking her.


    Madeline clenched her teeth, wishing she could tear Regina’s smile right off her face, but for now, she


    had to swallow her anger.


    “I’m afraid I was only aware of one Miss Tanner. I didn’t realize there was a second.”


    Regina interjected, standing tall with genuine surprise. She hadn’t expected Nn toe to her


    defense, especially when their acquaintance was so brief.


    Madeline, on the verge of tears, managed to look thoroughly pitiful. “What?”


    Regina felt a twinge of sympathy for her. Managing such an expression at neen was no small feat.


    “She’s Imogen’s daughter, Madeline. Imogen brought her along when she remarried my father andter


    Madeline took his name,” Regina offered, filling in the gaps for Nn, who appeared to understand the


    situation.


    Even Madeline’s thick skin had its limits, and she was barely holding together. “Mr. Harris, if there’s


    anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. My mother is looking for me, so I must excuse myself.”


    Her words came out through gritted teeth.


    Nn simply nodded with his usual nonchnt air. “Ms. Tanner is keeping mepany. Should I need


    anything, I’ll be sure to ask her.”


    Only after Madeline stormed off, her dress rustling with indignation, did Regina turn to Nn and


    murmur a thankful, “I appreciate your support.”.


    “It’s nothing. I should hope I didn’t add to your troubles. After all, this is a family matter.”


    Regina gave a helpless smile, “I’m embarrassed you had to see that. I didn’t expect things to escte


    like this. I may not care for their antics, but my father, it seems, can’t quite keep hisposure.”


    Nn nced back at her, a coy smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Ever been told, Ms. Tanner,


    that sometimes ying the damsel in distress can work miracles?”


    “Is that so? Are you saying Ie off a bit too strong?” Regina let out a wry chuckle, her expression a


    mix of amusement and resignation.


    That fleeting smile, though, struck Nn right in the chest. He blinked away a strange sensation that


    had settled upon him.


    She was stunning when she smiled.


    For a moment, Nn felt as if he’dy the world’s treasures at her feet without a second thought, just


    to see that smile again. No wonder the real Regina was such a well-kept secret.


    Once you saw that face, you’d never forget her.


    “Actually, a friend told me the same thing before this dinner party. I thought I had a pretty agreeable


    personality. Don’t you think so, Mr. Harris?”


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Regina’s curious gaze fell on Nn, pulling him back from his reverie. How embarrassing. “Uh, where


    was I? Sorry, just remembered something urgent at the office. Totally zoned out there for a moment.”


    It was his first time being so indiscreet in front of a woman, and he felt uncharacteristically sheepish.


    “It’s fine,” Regina said, shaking her head with a smile. “I’m just surprised how each of you has hit on my


    personality exactly better than I do. I always thought I was pretty easy-going.”


    Nn chuckled at her bemused expression. “Perhaps what we see as your strength isn’t w. To deal


    with Imogen and her daughter, it might work in your favor to show a little vulnerability, especially around


    your father. You know, y into that male ego. I’m not above it myself.”


    “Really? I wouldn’t have pegged you for the type to fall for that, Mr. Harris. But if you all insist, I’ll try to


    adjust my approach.”


    Their conversation was interrupted by Francis, who approached with a less-than-cheerful expression.


    With Madeline sulking in a corner, Regina didn’t need to guess that she had gone crying to her father. It


    was time for a change in tactics; she couldn’t let Imogen and Madeline keep getting the upper hand.


    “What’s wrong, Daddy?” Regina asked.


    Francis, blustering a moment ago, deted in Nn’s presence.


    “What seems to be the matter, Mr. Tanner?”


    Both Nn and Regina looked at him innocently, forcing Francis to muster a smile. “Nothing serious,


    just my little girl feeling upset. So I came to check in with Regina.”


    “Oh, well, asking Ms. Tanner won’t do you much good. She’s been with me the whole time, and we’ve


    been having a delightful chat.”


    Francis nced at Regina, surprised she’d managed to charm the most influential guest. If she could


    keep his interest, Francis would be more than satisfied with such a son-inw.


    “Is that so? That’s rather generous of you, Mr. Harris. Youngsters like yourselves should have a lot in


    common. Why don’t you two go out for a date instead of sticking around here? This dinner party is


    more for us old-timers anyway. You youngsters must be bored stiff.”


    Francis’s intentions were as clear as day, and Regina felt a twinge of embarrassment.


    “Dad-there’s no need to worry about us. Go mingle with the other guests. I’ll take good care of Mr.


    Harris.”