âLook, Missy, itâs clear as day that this mess is your doing, but here you are, trying to sling mud at someone else. Says a lot about your character, doesnât it?â
Regina found herself embroiled in a verbal tussle with this man right on her own doorstep, while the other house staff pretended not to look up, their ears perked for juicy gossip.
A blush crept over her cheeks, making her appear even more charming and delicate.
âPfft, I canât even with you,â Regina huffed, grabbing the hem of her dress. âGo back to wherever you crawled out from!â
She turned to enter the house, but to her annoyance, the man shadowed her every step.
As they neared the spot where the invitations were collected, she halted abruptly and shot him a fierce glare. âYou really donât need to follow me, you know.â
Nolan adjusted his glasses nonchalantly. âSorry, but itâs not quite clear whoâs following whom here.â
He strode past Regina and handed his invitation to the footman first.
âMr. Harris, please come in. Mr. Tanner has been waiting for you in the drawing room for quite some time. He asked us to usher you straight there upon your arrival.â
Regina listened, her face a portrait of confusion, as the footman spoke to Nolan.
âAre you sure you havenât mistaken him for someone else? Is my father actually waiting for this guy?â
The footman replied with a smile, âYes, Miss. Mr. Tanner is indeed expecting Mr. Harris.â
Nolan cast a discreet look at Regina, who was still in a state of shock. So this was the infamous Regina, the young lady whose mother passed away too soon and who was allegedly tormented by her wicked stepmother. Yet, here she was, not exactly the picture of a damsel in distress.
Reginaâs mind was swirling.
Mr. Harris? Which Mr. Harris?
Could it be Nolan Harris, the CEO of the Harris Group?
Nolan watched with amusement as Reginaâs face went from red to green, her expressions a riveting display of emotions.
âSo, Regina, may I go see your father now? Or if youâre still doubtful, I can hang around here with you.
But Iâm not sure your father would be too pleased with the wait.â
Reginaâs face turned beet red, and she bit her lip, muttering, âThe nerve of the CEO of Harris Group, vying for a spot with me. What a cheapskate.â
Nolan pretended not to hear and stepped through the grand entrance.
Only after he vanished from her sight did Regina let out a sigh and fanned her forehead.
âOh, Regina, your memory is a sieve. How could you forget his face after seeing his picture so many times? When you were gathering info for that feature, you even researched his company. How could you not recognize their CEO? Ugh, this is downright embarrassing.â
But really, it wasnât her fault, was it? The thought of Nolan, rich as Midas, squabbling with her over a prime spot in line was just so annoying.
However, the buzz about Nolan and Dahlia was intriguing. The youngest hotshot CEO hooked up with the countryâs most promising dancer-
Oh my, that was front-page news waiting to happen.
Regina perked up at the thought. âDonât blame me for turning your love fest into my scoop. Itâs not my fault you two canât keep your affection under wraps!â
Regina, lifting her dress, walked into the bustling hall, where guests had already gathered. She grabbed a glass of champagne from a tray and began mingling with family friends.
She used to despise these sorts of gatherings, preferring not to engage in such social rituals. But tonight, it seemed, was going to be a night full of surprises.