Old man Francis had the spice of experience in his veins, and Regina, try as she might, couldnât twist her way out of her fatherâs iron grasp.
Nolan, with a nonchalant expression, tapped twice on the tabletop and silenced Regina mid-sentence.
âEnough,â he drawled. âI havenât got all day to watch your duet. Since the Harris family has given their word on this marriage, rest assured, Iâll follow through. You just sit pretty at your place and wait for me to come and fetch you on the big day. Just donât get your hopes up for anything else.â
Regina, her face a mask of sorrow, even silently begged him to stay as she watched him stand and leave. But after being played one too many times by her and her old man, how could Nolan trust her again?
Francis, on the other hand, was beaming as if he had finally got what he wanted.
âAh, young love,â he added, âYou two are a match made in heaven. No need to blame me for playing a little hardball. If I didnât make that quick decision, how would you two lovebirds have ever gotten together?
And letâs not forget, my Reginaâs got a bit of a crush on you, eh? As for the wedding bells and whistles, none of that matters!â
Regina wouldnât meet his gaze any longer; she hung her head completely to try to hide all her pain.
How could she lift her head in the presence of Nolan with such a humiliating father? Even if Nolan could believe that she had nothing to do with todayâs farce, she was done trying to explain herself.
It was her fault, after all. If Nolan had never known or met the Tanners, he wouldnât have gotten entangled with such a mess.
He was a young and handsome man from a really good family. Tons of girls wanted to marry him.
He had all the chances to pick a girl he truly liked, but now, because of her, his life was in shambles.
She had wrecked the life of the man she cared for.
Once Nolan had left the room, Regina remained with her head bowed as Francis watched big tears splatter into the cup before her.
âThatâs enough theatrics. Heâs gone now, so who are you trying to impress with this sad act?â His tone was one of impatience.
Regina couldnât believe her ears. Was this something a father would say to his daughter?
With her face streaked with tears, she looked up, âDad, how bad are things at home that you would stoop to such lows of forcing a man who doesnât even like me to marry me? What are you thinking about? Didnât I say Iâd go out and drum up investments if youâd just let Nolan be? Is there really no other way?â
Francis frowned. He was also irritated, âWhat do you know? You think youâve got the golden touch?
Investments donât just fall into your lap. Only if you marry into the Harris family will they fully back the Tanner Group. Just think of our family, if you donât care about yourself, will you?
You are not the only member in Tanners. Imogenâs got a little brother on the way. When heâs born, he shouldnât be welcomed by a failing Tanner clan. Besides, when he grows up, heâll need a lot of things prepared for him. Heâs a boy and all.â
Francis rambled on, his every calculation for the sake of his unborn son.
Regina covered her ears, âThe baby isnât even born yet. You donât even know if itâs a boy and youâre already planning his life. Does only a son count as your child?
Am I not your daughter? All I wanted was a last shred of dignity. Even if I had to beg the Harris family for money, Iâd do it. But why, why did you have to resort to such means?â
âWhatâs wrong with a little strategy? Youâre still hung up on the lad, arenât you?â