Chapter 2752


    “Francis, Francis! Have you caught wind of thetest news?” Imogen yelled.


    Francis was leisurely perusing a file, “What’s got you all in a tizzy now? How many times have I told


    you, you need to keep yourposure. You’re Mrs. Tanner now, and you can’t be acting like you used


    to.”


    Imogen pped her chest repeatedly, “I rushed over here as soon as I saw the news and I couldn’t


    worry about myposure. Just look at this!”


    “What could possibly have you so spooked…” As Francis took a nce at the headline, he was initially


    unfazed, but when he paired it with the apanying photo, his face immediately turned to stone.


    “Ridiculous!” He mmed his hand on the solid oak desk, startling Imogen.


    She quickly grabbed his hand to inspect his palm, which was already reddening.


    “There’s no need to hurt yourself just because you’re angry, is there?”


    “When did this happen?” Francis’s face was ashen, his gaze was unkind as he turned to Imogen.


    Imogen pouted, “How would I know when your darling daughter drummed up this news? If Madeline


    hadn’t handed me the paper, I’d still be oblivious to the trouble she’s stirred up.”


    Yes, that was the difference between Imogen and Francis. Upon seeing the news, Francis’s first instinct


    was to feel an overwhelming sense of protectiveness.


    Although he could never understand Regina’s obsession with journalism, their precious daughter, who


    was always the apple of their eye, had been tackled to the ground by some drunken lout in the middle


    of nowhere. How could he possibly stand for that?


    And the news, with its suggestive and ambiguousnguage – wasn’t it designed tongues wagging? It


    was nder!


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    “Which rag is responsible for this? I’ll sue them.” Francis hit the desk again and sto itching to confront


    the newspaper office and give them a piece of his mind.


    But Imogen stepped in front of him, “What good will it do to storm their office now? paper’s already out


    there and countless eyes have seen it. Stirring the pot will only bri more attention to it. Do you want


    Regina to ever hold her head high again?”


    Francis snorted coldly, “What does this have to do with Regina? It’s these people who ar crafting their


    stories with deceitful words. You know as well as I do what they’re trying to pull. It’s Regina who’s been


    wronged; why shouldn’t I settle the score with them?”


    Fuming, Imogen was grinding her teeth, thinking the geezer still loved her daughter so much even now.


    “Just like you, I believe she’s innocent. But will others see it the same way? We’re her parents, that’s


    why we think so. But to outsiders, it’s a different story.


    Francis, I know how upset you are, wanting to tear that journalist to shreds. But think about Regina’s


    future. She hasn’t even confronted them yet. If word gets out, how will they see Regina? How will we


    ever find her a match? Do you want her to end up a spinster?”


    With Imogen’s gentle coaxing, Francis slowly sat back down, “So what do you suggest? We can’t just


    let Regina suffer this injustice without a fight.”