Imogen constantly patted Francisâs back, feigning casualness as she broached the subject, âFirst off, | think we need to call Regina back home. We've got to check with her if sheâs really been bullied. If itâs true, then we've got to get a move on and talk to the police, right?â
Francis was stuck in between, âHow am | supposed to even start that conversation? Iâve said it before, she shouldnât have gone into journalism. She couldâve been living the easy life, but no, she had to chase stories, always at the mercy of others... And now look, sheâs being picked on again.â
The thought of Regina being clutched at the ankle by some drunk made Francisâs heart twist in pain. âNo, | need to bring her home and find out what's really going on. Even if thereâs nothing to it, weâve got to clear the air fast. Otherwise, Reginaâs going to be dealing with peopleâs judgments.â
Imogen nodded in agreement, âYou're right. But Reginaâs so stubborn, she might not want to talk to us about it.â
âShe will when it matters. Reginaâs always had her head on straight.â
With determination, Francis brought Imogen back to their mansion and dialed Reginaâs number, asking her to come home for dinner.
âJust like you predicted, Dadâs asked me over for dinner tonight. You think it's going to be some kind of ambush?â Regina vented this to her bestie as soon as she got the call from her dad.
She didnât care about anything else; she just worried her dad might use this as leverage to make her quit her job. For her, the journey as a journalist was just beginning.
Daphne was more concerned about Imogen and Madeline taking the opportunity to corner Regina.
âOh, | can almost hear them now, spinning it like my reputationâs been ruined.â Regina said The more Regina played it cool, the more it hurt Daphne.
âIf it comes to it, I'll call the newspaper tomorrow to get them to pull that story. Why should they get away with smearing you for no reason?â Daphne snapped.
Regina smiled. She was touched by the gesture, âItâs already been published. Whatâs the use of pulling it now? Whoever read it, remembers it. | bet thereâs gossip flying around as we speak. But Daphne, Iâm telling you, | donât care about this. Rumors will always be there, and as long as Iâm still a reporter, I'll have the chance to set things straight. There werenât many journalists left that night, especially at that crucial moment. It could only have been a few colleagues Iâve crossed paths with.â
Daphne sighed on the other end, âI should never have let you watch all those career dramas when we were kids. Now you're too in love with journalism.â
Regina chuckled, âSo, wish me luck. Iâve got so much on my plate. When things simmer down, letâs grab a meal together. | miss you.â
If it werenât for friends like Daphne supporting her, Regina might have already crumbled, just as Imogen and Madeline had hoped.
Beyond following up with the developers, now she had to figure out who was trying to trip her up. Regina sighed deeply, fully aware of the rough road ahead.