The Kiss that Sparked it All

Nolan couldn’t stand it when someone pointed a finger at him while talking. With a slow, deliberate stand, he rose, towering a full head taller than Francis.

“You claim you’re Regina’s real dad, huh? If I were you, I’d choose to zip it and step aside. Here you are, accusing me of threatening Madeline over your own daughter. Just look at her guilty face; it’s obvious she’s involved. If you don’t believe me, at least use your head. No wonder the Tanner Group is going downhill-it’ll tank under your watch!”

Nolan didn’t spare Francis’ feelings, causing him to stumble backward, clutching his chest, struggling for breath.

Imogen, despite feeling weak, stepped forward to support him. “How could you talk to your father-in-law like this? What has our Madeline done to you? She was head over heels for you, and she’s just a kid. How could you, Nolan?”

Her repeated pleas fell on deaf ears.

Nolan’s stubborn nature was evident, and his bodyguards ominously surrounded the Tanner family.

If Madeline wouldn’t tell the truth, no one would leave through that door today.

On the surface, Nolan seemed calm, but internally, he was panicking. What if Madeline stubbornly kept quiet?

Madeline hung her head, not uttering a word. She didn’t expect Nolan to care so much about Regina. She had miscalculated, thinking Francis was pressuring Nolan, forcing hir to marry Regina. It seemed he might have had feelings for her supposed sister all along.

Despair washed over her, leading to a reckless resignation. How could anyone see worth in Regina, especially Nolan, whom she met first? Why was it always her losing what she wanted?

“Ha, I don’t believe you’d do anything to us. You’re just bluffing. Even if it did involve me, what could you possibly do? If you lay a finger on me, it’ll be front-page news tomorrow. The whole world will watch as the CEO of the Harris Group assaults his wife’s sister. People will speculate about what’s going on with the Tanner family. Would the Harris. family remain unaffected then?”

Even Imogen sensed something was off, rushing over to shake Madeline. “My dear, what’s happened? This isn’t your fault, right? Tell him quickly, and get those people to leave; we have other things to do. We can’t be trapped here!”

“Not sure if you know your daughter has already met her real dad, Imogen.” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

At Nolan’s words, Imogen turned, roaring in disbelief

Impossible!

She then scrutinized Francis’ expression, noting his furrowed brow and evident discomfort.

“Don’t tell me you’re still in touch with that lowlife. What did you say when I took you away? That you never wanted to go back there. Are you seeking trouble now? Did you cheat on me?”

Imogen, trying to appease Francis, said, “What are you talking about? If you don’t believe me, we can have a paternity test done at the hospital after the baby is born, okay?”

Seeing her mother in such a pitiful state was unbearable for Madeline. “Dad, how can you treat my mom like this?”