Chapter 2710: Chapter 2709

Chapter 2709

“I raised you from a tot to a grown woman, and is this how you repay me? By talking back? That job

of yours, what's it worth? You're out there hustling for a meager paycheck that barely scratches five

hundred a month. What's the point? I've told you time and again, come work at the family firm and

help me out. But no, you've got to be stubborn about it. And now look, I, Francis, am the talk of the

town because my daughter's out there running errands for peanuts. You know what Paul said to me

last time we had coffee? He said no matter how busy I am with my business, I ought to look after

my own flesh and blood, make sure you're not living hand-to-mouth doing menial tasks. I was lost

for words. What was I supposed to say? That my daughter's chomping at the bit to wear herself

down?”

Regina knew her father's stature was no small thing and that he would never really get the life of a

grassroots journalist. But never had she imagined that this was how he truly saw her.

“I'm a reporter, Dad, doing a legitimate job. If you can’t say anything supportive, just zip it. I've

given up expecting you to understand. Instead of wasting your breath, why don’t you pay more

attention to your new wife and her daughter, and figure out why they're so keen on slinging mud

my way! Dad, you're a real disappointment.”

With those words, Regina stormed out of the chilly mansion, leaving Francis stewing in his own

anger, with nowhere to direct it except a tirade at Imogen. “Did you set Regina up? I warned you

from day one not to have any designs on her. Have you forgotten how you clawed your way out of

the slums? Let me remind you, if I was determined enough to get you out of there once, I can just

as easily send you back.”

Imogen was a mess of tears. “Francis, what are you saying? You think I'd stoop to such pettiness

over a few words from Regina? Today of all days? I've been nothing but hardworking and loyal by

your side all these years. Have I ever slipped up? And now, you turn on me just because of a couple

of sentences from your daughter?”

Exasperated by her sobs, Francis retreated to his study without a comforting word. Alone, he

carefully pulled out a frame from his desk drawer — an old photograph, featuring him and another

woman: Magina, his late wife.

Regina bore a striking resemblance to her mother in the photo, and it was no coincidence. Out of

love, Francis had incorporated part of Magina“s name into their daughter's. He had hoped Regina

would resemble her mother more as she grew up, but instead, he lost Magina forever.

“Magina, am I such a lousy father that our girl defies me? I'm always regretting marrying Imogen

Are you secretly blaming me too? I just wanted Regina to have a mother, but I've botched it. She

won't even call Imogen “Mom.’ If I hadn't done this, maybe Regina wouldn't be so rebellious.”