Chapter 2708
“Daphne, how can you say that? The lady has a hard-working and ambitious mother. Even without the Tanner name, she’s climbing the ladder on her own merits.”
They all had guts, no one dared to cross the Tanner family, but Regina hadn’t expected things to spiral out of control like this.
Daphne fell silent.
“Alright, how long is this charade going to last? Everyone, just head on home.”
Francis brooded silently, his face a mask of discontent. Regina was seeing off the last of the guests, while Imogen had been unable to lift her head since the early exchanges, her meticulously conjured tears drying upon her cheeks.
She had been sharing a bed with Francis for many years; she knew all too well that what he cherished most was his reputation.
When he had taken her and her daughter into his life, he was drowning in a new romance and couldn’t see straight. But years had passed, and he had come to his senses. He knew there were whispers in their circle, labeling him a ‘sucker’ for taking them in.
Publicly, he always pretended not to care. What he truly thought, however, was known only to himself.
Yet today, in his own villa, at a gala he hosted, to have his secrets laid bare for all to see was more than his pride could bear. All this trouble, he owed to Imogen and Madeline.
Once the house was left to just the family, Francis let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Still want to look for your precious bracelet?”
A chill ran down Imogen’s neck, and she stiffened up as she replied, “Let it be. Even if it was my mother’s heirloom, it’s not as important as Regina’s reputation. I bet it was just the kids being mischievous, so it got misplaced. I’ll have the family search thoroughly later. Maybe it’s tucked away in some nook or cranny.”
“Hmph, Regina being mischievous. I think it’s your own head that’s not on straight. In front of all those guests, you just had to make a fuss over that damn bracelet. Have I not bought you enough jewelry? Is there not enough money on your credit cards? Did you have to embarrass me in front of everyone?”
“Francis, you’re overthinking it. I never meant to cause you any embarrassment. What if it was just two of the kids who thought it would be fun to take my bracelet?”
“No matter how valuable that bracelet of yours might be, you can’t just announce in front of all these guests that you want to keep them here to look for it! That’s losing face for me. Do you think I’m still like your poor ex-husband? The Tanner family’s wealth isn’t shaken by something as trivial as your missing bracelet. You lack a bracelet, I can replace it with ten, a hundred, but you just can’t pull this kind of stunt today!”
Francis was only now coming to his senses. He had been bewitched, allowing Imogen to hold back so many guests. He should have been more resolute.
This realization brought him annoyance. “And Regina, you too. Even if you have your differences with Imogen, you can’t bring that into today’s event. She’s got a temper, and look at the state of things now. Who knows how they’ll mock the Tanners tomorrow.”
Regina, unfazed by his reproach, simply let out a cold laugh. “Dad, if your new wife can’t stand the heat, am I supposed to just swallow it? I said I didn’t do it. If you don’t believe me, fine. I have work tomorrow and can’t stay here to playact with everyone.”
“And what kind of tone is that? Is that how you’re supposed to speak to your father?”
