Nolan gave a slight nod, conveying a measured apology, âSir, can we please talk somewhere else?
There are things Iâd like to discuss just between the two of us.â
Imogen chimed in with a hint of urgency, âMr. Harris, I donât think this is appropriate. Iâm Reginaâs mother; surely I have the right to know whatâs going on. When did you start to date our Regina? If you two are together, why havenât you told us? How can you be so irresponsible?â
Before she could finish, her daughter Madeline cut her off. âMom, can you just zip it? They were just in a room, and it doesnât mean theyâre an together. Can you let Nolan finish. before you start grilling him?
Youâre driving me crazy!â
Nolan cringed inwardly at Madelineâs informal address, but his priority was to clear things. up with the concerned father.
âAlright, Iâll be asking the questions. You and Madeline just wait here.â
Francis strode ahead towards the end of the hotel corridor, with Nolan following a step behind.
âSpill it. Whatâs your explanation?â
His face was ashen, a universal sign of a parent who had just found their child in bed with someone else. And with the rumors heâd heard about his daughter, his mood wasnât exactly sunny.
âMr. Tanner, I believe thereâs been a misunderstanding here.â Nolan said, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.
âA misunderstanding? Are you telling me that I misunderstood you? I saw you two in bed â is this what you young folks call âmisunderstandingâ? Or have you been a playboy all the time, and today youâre playing my daughter? Let me tell you straight â even though Ldonât have your tech empire or your wealth, I am still Reginaâs father. If sheâs been wronged, I will move heaven and earth, and I will spend every penny to my name to get justice for her. Donât underestimate the resolve of a father, Mr. Harris.â
Hearing Francis staunch willingness to fight for his daughterâs honor actually reassured Nolan. He feared not the misunderstanding but the possibility that even if he knew Regina was innocent, the father might not believe him or fight for her. So Nolan laid it out plainly, âThere has indeed been a misunderstanding. Nothing happened between us. She was fully clothed and unconscious on the bed.
But thereâs one thing I hope you understand, Mr. Tanner. She didnât dodge not because sheâs been with me, but because she was drugged and has been unconscious since. Before you and your family arrived, I was about to take Regina to the hospital. But you got here so quickly, and it just so happened that you were at the door. I didnât even get a chance to explain, and your wife had already cast blame on me. Mr. Tanner, I think you can figure out whatâs really happened here. If you truly care about your daughter, you might want to look closer at other women around you.â
Francisâ face turned a deep shade of blue, shocked by the reality Nolan presented, hardly believing the insinuation.
âSo what youâre saying is that you and my daughter⦠thereâs nothing between you two? Not even a spark of affection?â
Nolan paused for a moment and then nodded.
âThatâs right. I came today because weâre friends. This whole situation is an accident. I hope you donât hold any misconceptions, Mr. Tanner. If possible, please get Regina to a hospital fast. I donât know what drug sheâs been given, or how long she can last.â