Chapter 2728


    Emma’s eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed at the bewildered Regina, at a loss for words herself.


    Francis had always been a man of rity, but when it came to matters of the heart, he was hopelessly


    lost.


    No matter how much he doted on Imogen, his second wife, it was no reason to put a stepdaughter on a


    pedestal, especially when he had a daughter of his own blood. Regina was his only biological child; she


    and her father were the true continuation of the Tanner family lineage. Yet, everything in the Tanner


    household seemed topsy-turvy now.


    Emma’s heart ached for Regina, and she couldn’t bring herself to voice such harsh truths.


    Instead, she offered sce, “Sweetie, why wouldn’t your dad love you? Men are not. always great with


    words, but deep down, he adores you, his daughter. Besides, you’re thedy of the Tanner family. He’s


    got only you, darling. One day, all of this will be yours. Regina, your father might be a bit confused at


    the moment, but you have to believe that he truly loves you.”


    “Really?” Regina’s eyes searched for hope.


    “Of course, it’s true. When have I ever lied to you?”


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Comforted by Emma’s reassurance, Regina’s emotions began to settle. Just as she turned to leave, a


    shrill voice pierced from within the room, Madeline’s pitch rising in frustration, “Didn’t I tell you I have


    my reasons? Why do you keep asking?”


    “Keep it down, will you?” Imogen hissed, pulling her agitated daughter back to the couch


    with a thud.


    Regina waved Emma off, “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything rash. You go on back.”


    Emma cast a worried nce toward Madeline’s closed door. “You’re grown up now, with mind of your


    own. I’ll leave you to it, then. But if something’s bothering you,e to me-don’t bottle it up inside,


    okay?”


    Regina hugged her tightly and said, “I will.”


    Feeling gratitude for the care still shown to her in this house, Regina knew that


    understanding her adversaries was key to oveing them.


    “Why should I tell you now? Can’t you just do this for me without asking questions, Mom? Don’t you


    want to tell Dad about this for me?”


    Madeline was perplexed. Why was Imogen pressing for details at such a critical time? If Regina got the


    upper hand, what if Francis decided to marry her off to Nn?


    “I’m just concerned. What’s so secretive that you can’t even tell your own mother? You have to let me


    know, why are you so set on marrying Nn? If not, I might start to think you’re just smitten with his


    good looks,” Imogen probed, privately thinking that Nn’s handsome face was a good enough reason


    in itself.


    However, Nn’s family background was a murky affair, even among their social circle.


    What made Madeline so sure that once their Tanners made the proposal, she could actually marry


    Nn?


    “Nn? Looks like Madeline has quite the crush on him,” Regina snorted with disdain, curious to see


    how Madeline would react if she knew Nn’s heart belonged to another.


    A n began to form in Regina’s mind.


    Meanwhile, the conversation inside continued, with Imogen unable to grasp why her daughter wouldn’t


    confide in her, and Madeline puzzled as to why her mother couldn’t just sort things out before grilling


    her for details, as she had no intention of deliberately keeping secrets.