Chapter 2711
By the time Regina lay down on the bed, the chill of the room had given way to a gentle warmth. She whispered a pep talk into the darkness, “Keep it up, Regina. Tomorrow’s got a whole new set of hurdles waiting for you.”
Come morning, Regina sprung out of bed as if the previous day’s trials had never happened. Resilience was her middle name; after all these years of grinding, a tough skin had formed. Not having to face those naysayers day in and day out was a small victory in itself.
But the reprieve was short-lived. As she walked into the newsroom, her smug colleagues were quick to chip away at her good spirits.
“Look who’s early, our very own princess Regina,” sneered one, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “What’s the use of arriving at the crack of dawn when you can’t even nab an interviewee?”
“You’re missing the point,” chided the other, smirking. “It’s about showing up, making an impression. How else would she justify her stay here if not for her noble lineage?”
Their shared laughter was like nails on a chalkboard.
Regina took a deep breath and set her bag down with a thud. She turned casually, a feigned nonchalance in her voice, “I might have trouble locking down Dahlia, but some are so busy worrying about me, they’ve yet to pen their own stories. I really should thank them.”
“In our line of work, it’s the skill that talks. I’m here not just because I’m a Tanner. I write, and I write well, with empathy that is unmatched,” she thought to herself. Yet, her last name seemed to overshadow her talents. But she was steadfast in her belief that her strengths would one day shine through, undeniable to all.
“Are you bad-mouthing me?” snapped one of them, his pride pricked.
Regina widened her eyes in feigned innocence and spun around, “I’m talking to whoever chimed in. You don’t think I’m talking about you, do you? Oh, but surely you haven’t stooped to plagiarizing others’ work, have you? That’s not something a seasoned journalist would do, right?”
“Hmph, I’ve cleared my name already. Believe what you will!” he retorted, flustered and at a loss for a comeback.
Watching him stew in his own irritation brought Regina a sense of vindication. She wasn’t one to be bullied into silence. However, she still needed Dahlia’s response, and she had to play the waiting game with patience.
She knew Dahlia was a calculated woman; any premature contact could backfire.
As Regina waited anxiously, she had faith that this ambitious woman would get in touch when the time was right.
To her colleagues, Regina maintained a composed exterior that seemed unshakeable. Some of the more seasoned reporters couldn’t help but whisper among themselves, “Do you think she can actually get Dahlia? Ahab, you’ve tried reaching out to that dancer multiple times with no luck. If this upstart manages to get through to her, she’ll be insufferable.”
Ahab scoffed dismissively, “You know I’ve tried. If she wouldn’t give me the time of day, why would she bother with a greenhorn like Regina? Please, I’ve been in this game far longer than she’s been alive. Besides, everyone knows Dahlia’s reputation. No matter how eloquent you are, she won’t give you an interview. It’s a dead end.”
