Chapter 2702
Regina quickly blocked Francis’s words, fearful he might spew some incoherent nonsense that would only add fuel to the fire.
She had a certain fondness for Nolan, but that didn’t mean she was ready to dive into romance and walk down the aisle with him, especially not with the way the older generation would come up with those cringe-worthy comments that could turn one’s stomach.
And given their family’s standing, couldn’t Nolan see that they were practically throwing themselves at him?
Why make it so painfully obvious?
Nolan kept a polite smile plastered on his face, yet internally, he was more certain than ever that he would not agree to a business partnership with the Tanners again.
Francis was playing quite the sly game. If it weren’t for his slight interest in Regina, Nolan would have bolted out the door without a second thought.
What a snooze fest.
Only after Regina coaxed Francis to leave did she turn to Nolan with an apologetic look. “You mentioned you had unfinished business at the company, right? Maybe you should head out first. I’ll handle my dad.”
Nolan arched an eyebrow and asked, “You sure about that? Your father won’t give you hell for me taking off early, will he?”
She was impressed he’d noticed the tension.
Nevertheless, Regina nodded firmly and said, “I can handle this little hiccup. Go ahead.”
If he stayed any longer, there was no telling what other unpleasantness he’d witness.
Regina rarely clicked with people, and she didn’t want Nolan to leave with a sour taste in his mouth.
He didn’t insist on staying. After all, he and Regina had only met a couple of times. He wasn’t about to torture himself by sticking around in such an uncomfortable situation.
With his status, nobody dared comment on his early departure.
Once Nolan left, the rest of the dinner was torturous for Regina. On top of enduring the long hours, she had to dodge her father’s glares, which only knitted her brows tighter.
As the dinner was winding down, a commotion broke out.
Imogen shrieked that her bracelet was missing.
“It’s just a bracelet. We can look for it after the guests leave,” Francis said with a threatening glare.
Losing a bracelet during a dinner party and searching the guests would be outrageous. Who at this gathering couldn’t afford a bracelet?
Imogen’s antics were so petty.
The other guests exchanged uneasy glances, none too pleased.
Imogen was acting as if someone was dying to steal her bracelet when everyone present was adorned with jewels worth a fortune.
But since the Tanners were hosting, no one wanted to outright snub Imogen.
Then Agnes, a friend of Regina’s mother, stood up and offered, “Perhaps the bracelet holds significant value to Mrs. Tanner, for her to mention it in such a setting. If it truly is that important, why don’t we search for it while everyone is still here? It might turn up in some unexpected corner, and it would surely put Mrs. Tanner’s mind at ease.”
Her words seemed considerate, but they only soured Francis’s expression further. It was as if she’d slapped the Tanner family across the face.
