Chapter 2754
But now, the biggest issue facing Regina was Her father’s impending interrogation.
As evening descended, Regina returned home, her bag slung over her shoulder. While slipping off her shoes in the foyer, she caught Emma’s subtle head-shake, “Your dad is not in a good mood today.”
Regina nodded, knowing Emma always had her back and keeping an eye out for her.
“Did you whip up any of my favorites tonight?” Regina asked with a smile, attempting to lighten the mood.
“When have you ever come home and I haven’t cooked up something you love? I’d be thrilled if you came home every day, just so my cooking skills don’t go to waste.”
They whispered their exchange, but their words didn’t go unheard.
“Got the nerve to ask about dinner? Aren’t you ashamed?” Madeline stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, oozing arrogance. Her glance towards Regina was filled with disdain, as if she was looking at trash.
Regina continued chatting with Emma, utterly ignoring Madeline, “When I get settled in my job, I’ll bring you over, and you can cook for me every day.”
Emma nodded, “Nothing would make me happier than to look after you for life.”
“Are you deaf? Can’t you hear what I’m saying? If I made such a fuss as you did, I wouldn’t show my face around the Tanner estate ever again.” Madeline’s posture was all bluster, but she seemed to forget her place, acting as if she were the Tanner family’s Miss.
She continued her rant, seizing the opportunity to hold Regina’s slip-up against her. “If I were as dirty and disgraceful as you, I’d never show my face around this mansion again, to spare people the sight and keep them from saying how poorly Dad’s treating you.” Regina held her tongue. In this house, only her father’s opinion mattered; everyone else was inconsequential.
But Emma couldn’t let it slide, “Miss, these are baseless rumors. How could you believe such nonsense? You’d do well to spend more time on your studies than taking such idle gossip to heart.”
Madeline fumed. Even the cook dared to talk back to her?
“And who do you think you are? You’re just a servant. How dare you speak to me with that tone?” she snapped.
Emma bowed her head, knowing that her words were true even in her anger, Unlike the mother and daughter pair, she and Regina had always treated the staff with care and kinship, believing that they were all part of the same household.
Yet, they insisted on strict social hierarchies-servants were servants, and they were often the subject of condescension. Especially those who had come with Regina’s mother when she joined the family, they never took a liking to them.
“Who are you talking to like that?” Regina spun around, towering a few inches over Madeline. Standing tall, she seemed even more imposing.
“Well, Regina, that’s all you’re good for, isn’t it? Winning hearts. Who can’t do that? It’s just too bad, anyone close to you and your mother ends up in a bad way. You better think about how you’re going to answer Dad’s questions. And with your sordid reputation, I wonder which family would dare welcome you into their home. You’re such a headache for my mother.”
Regina stepped forward, grabbing Madeline who was about to leave, “What did you say? Spread one more rumor, and believe me, I’ll have you escorted to the police station!”
