The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 2724

"Regina, you must've misheard me; I was talking about something else with Madeline. There's no lunatic here."

Imogen turned her head, a forced smile playing on her lips as she dealt with Regina, while gesturing frantically for Madeline to make herself scarce.

But Madeline, eyeing Regina's flustered demeanor, couldn't pass up the chance to needle her.

"Look at you all wild-eyed, what did Mom say that was so wrong? It's not enough you come home looking like a ragamuffin from playing reporter all day, but you have to bring your woes to our doorstep too. Even if Mom were the wicked stepmother, she's done more than her duty by you! But instead of showing any gratitude, you just ramp it up. If I were you, I'd have packed my bags and left ages ago!"

"What? Gratitude? How exactly do you expect me to show that? For years, you and your mother have scared me half to death, isn't that enough? This is my house. My family name is Tanner, and neither of you bear it, so quit bossing me around!"

Regina realized she had been too soft before, which only emboldened them to walk all over her, and now they had misplaced the family's most treasured memories, her heart was bleeding.

"Let's not get into everything else right now, Imogen. I'll ask you one more time, where's my painting? If you can't find it, don't blame me for getting upset."

Imogen, arms crossed, was fuming. Was this the way Regina should talk to her? Calling her by her first name like she was nobody, as if Francis should hear how his precious daughter had no manners. It was like taking a step back in time!

“What's the big deal about a stupid painting anyway? If it's lost, it's lost, it wasn't worth much. What are you gonna do about it, huh?"

The maid nearby was beside herself with worry, afraid they might come to blows. With the head of the household, Francis, not around, whom were these servants supposed to support?

"What am I gonna do?"

Regina echoed her words, and the next second her hand flew across Imogen's cheek with a stinging slap.