Madelineâs jaw dropped in disbelief, âMom, youâve got to be kidding me. Horatio Lawson? With his beanstalk figure, I bet he doesnât even weigh more than I do. Are you sure his mom isnât just trying to secure a future for him because sheâs worried he wonât last long? Dad never mentioned setting me up with someone like him. Are you sure youâre not up to something fishy? You do remember youâre my biological mom, right?â
Imogen frowned immediately, âWhatâs that supposed to mean? Of course, Iâm your mom. Why would I randomly set you up with someone? I care about your marriage more than anything. A good marriage would benefit me as well!
Sure, the Lawson family might not be in the best health; but aside from the Harris family, theyâre the most well-off. Isnât it better if he doesnât last long? Then you can just inherit their fortune without having to take care of a husband and just enjoy the good life!â
Madeline mumbled in reluctance, âWhat kind of mom wishes for her daughterâs future husband to die early?
No matter how rich or well-off the Lawson family is, I refuse to marry him, even if it means marrying a pauper over a sick man!â
Imogen slapped her lightly, annoyed, âWhat are you saying? Donât get too proud and look down on others.
Look at yourself, who are you? I even had to push you to change that last name. The Lawson familyâs matriarch bringing her son over means you caught her eye, you know? Next time you meet, you better act sweet and polite. Even if you donât like that Horatio, you canât show it!â
âGot it, Mom. Iâm not dumb. How could I possibly embarrass him in front of his mother? Madeline hugged Imogenâs arm and shook it, âAnyway, as long as thereâs this little brother in your belly, thereâs no way his sisterâs going to have a rough life, right?â
Imogen chuckled and patted her belly, âOf course, youâre his biological sister. Who else would he take care of if not you? I bet the Tanner familyâs fortune, at least half of it, will end up with your brother. Heâll have more than enough to take care of you.â
The mother and daughter were already counting on Francisâs future fortune, unaware that he was thinking about how to ask the Harris family for more money.
The Tanner family was doing well financially, and the Tanner Group was back on its feet. Everything was much better than before.
But Francis, motivated by the disparity in wealth between them and the Harris family, felt justified in asking for more, despite not needing it.
Nolan wasnât short of money; what wrong with asking for just a bit more?
This mindset had Francis constantly looking for excuses to contact Nolan.
Regina had no idea how much her dad had called Nolan. But Nolan didnât spare him much attention.
Sometimes heâd answer the calls, sometimes heâd hear from Lucy, and sometimes heâd simply ignore him, depending on his mood.
Francis, with a guiltily conscience, didnât dare to complain to his daughter how much Nolan didnât respect him as the father-in-law.
Regina, mostly occupied with the newspaper, her home, and the Harris family, noticed Madelineâs strange looks and occasional provocations. But such petty games no longer bothered Regina.
âOh, arenât you married already? Why do you keep coming back here? Donât tell me you and Nolan are living separately.â