The Kiss that Sparked it All

“I never had much of a relationship with my biological father. Sure, I met him once, but that was it. If it weren’t for my loyalty to you, Dad, I would’ve left the Tanners a long time ago. But you’ve been more of a father to me than anyone else. How could you even think to accuse me of wrongdoing? It’s Nolan, stirring up trouble, trying to pin everything on me. You’ve got to see through his lies, Dad!”

Imogen was nodding vigorously next to Madeline, though she was also on edge.

When had Madeline gone to see Domingo? And how had Nolan caught wind of it without a peep from anyone else?

It seemed like the mess with Regina was somehow tied back to Madeline, and all Imogen wanted was to smooth things over before Nolan made a bigger scene. She had no intention of rekindling anything with Domingo. All she wanted was a peaceful life with the Tanners and to leave everything to her future son. Why couldn’t Madeline just leave her be?

Francis was skeptical, and Nolan chimed in just at the right moment, “Francis, I’m not entirely sure how often Madeline met with her biological father. I just happened to witness it once. I have the surveillance footage if you’d like to see for yourself. Then you’ll know I’m telling the truth.”

With Regina’s whereabouts still unknown, Nolan had no time to waste. At his signal, two burly men stepped forward and grabbed Madeline. She screamed, “Let go of me! What you think you’re doing?”

Imogen rushed over, but what could she, a pregnant woman, do against such towering figures? They didn’t lay a hand on her, considering her condition, but their mere presence was enough to keep her at bay.

Francis quickly pulled Imogen aside. “You’re carrying a child, for heaven’s sake. Can’t you stay out of trouble?”

Imogen turned to him, pleading, “Please talk to Nolan. How can he do this to Madeline? She has been pampered by the Tanners all these years.”

“Yeah, pampered by the Tanners, only to harm the real Tanner daughter in the end. If I were you, Francis, I’d stay out of it. You must have your suspicions too. Does she really have nothing to do with this? If yes, I’ll have her sent right back.” Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

At Nolan’s command, the two henchmen escorted Madeline to a secluded room within the Tanner Mansion, where they were met with a locked door and several guards blocking the entrance. It wouldn’t be long before they got the truth out of her

Nolan, meanwhile, didn’t care to witness the unpleasantness. He casually returned to the living room, inviting Francis and Imogen to sit, as if nothing were amiss.

Imogen was terrified, especially when she heard Madeline’s scream from the other room.