The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Mr. Harris, you’re quite the gentleman tonight, far more than that evening we first met,” Regina said with a twinkle in her eye, prompting Nolan to arch an eyebrow and quip back, “And Ms. Tanner, you seem far gentler than I remember from that night.”

Both burst into laughter, a sight that Madeline found utterly unforgivable.

When did this shameless woman start flirting with Nolan?

He was supposed to be her catch. How dare she!

But amid the crowd, Madeline couldn’t let her jealousy show. She plastered on a smile and approached Nolan.

“Mr. Harris, where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you,” she said, pointedly ignoring Regina standing beside him.

Nolan, spotting Madeline sidling up, instinctively stepped back to maintain a courteous social distance.

“I’m sorry, and you are?” asked Nolan.

Madeline’s smile froze on her face.

Regina could see right through her ploy, but it was hardly surprising she’d set her sights on Nolan.

Even if you combined the charm of every other man in the room, they wouldn’t stack up to Nolan.

Still, Madeline’s forwardness was a bit much. She should have known her place instead of throwing herself at Nolan like that, especially when every heiress in the room was eyeing him from a respectful distance.

What could Madeline possibly offer?

“Mr. Harris, you must be jesting. I’m Madeline Tanner, the second daughter of the Tanner family. We met earlier upstairs, remember? Oh, but then I had that little tumble when my sister pushed me down; perhaps you didn’t quite catch my face,” Madeline said, shooting a glance at Regina, whose expression remained cool with a hint of an elusive smile, as if mocking her.

Madeline clenched her teeth, wishing she could tear Regina’s smile right off her face, but for now, she had to swallow her anger.

“I’m afraid I was only aware of one Miss Tanner. I didn’t realize there was a second.”

Regina interjected, standing tall with genuine surprise. She hadn’t expected Nolan to come to her defense, especially when their acquaintance was so brief.

Madeline, on the verge of tears, managed to look thoroughly pitiful. “What?”

Regina felt a twinge of sympathy for her. Managing such an expression at nineteen was no small feat.

“She’s Imogen’s daughter, Madeline. Imogen brought her along when she remarried my father and later Madeline took his name,” Regina offered, filling in the gaps for Nolan, who appeared to understand the situation.

Even Madeline’s thick skin had its limits, and she was barely holding together. “Mr. Harris, if there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. My mother is looking for me, so I must excuse myself.”

Her words came out through gritted teeth.

Nolan simply nodded with his usual nonchalant air. “Ms. Tanner is keeping me company. Should I need anything, I’ll be sure to ask her.”

Only after Madeline stormed off, her dress rustling with indignation, did Regina turn to Nolan and murmur a thankful, “I appreciate your support.”.

“It’s nothing. I should hope I didn’t add to your troubles. After all, this is a family matter.”

Regina gave a helpless smile, “I’m embarrassed you had to see that. I didn’t expect things to escalate like this. I may not care for their antics, but my father, it seems, can’t quite keep his composure.”

Nolan glanced back at her, a coy smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Ever been told, Ms. Tanner, that sometimes playing the damsel in distress can work miracles?”

“Is that so? Are you saying I come off a bit too strong?” Regina let out a wry chuckle, her expression a mix of amusement and resignation.

That fleeting smile, though, struck Nolan right in the chest. He blinked away a strange sensation that had settled upon him.

She was stunning when she smiled.

For a moment, Nolan felt as if he’d lay the world’s treasures at her feet without a second thought, just to see that smile again. No wonder the real Regina was such a well-kept secret. Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

Once you saw that face, you’d never forget her.

“Actually, a friend told me the same thing before this dinner party. I thought I had a pretty agreeable personality. Don’t you think so, Mr. Harris?”

Regina’s curious gaze fell on Nolan, pulling him back from his reverie. How embarrassing. “Uh, where was I? Sorry, just remembered something urgent at the office. Totally zoned out there for a moment.”

It was his first time being so indiscreet in front of a woman, and he felt uncharacteristically sheepish.

“It’s fine,” Regina said, shaking her head with a smile. “I’m just surprised how each of you has hit on my personality exactly better than I do. I always thought I was pretty easy-going.”

Nolan chuckled at her bemused expression. “Perhaps what we see as your strength isn’t flaw. To deal with Imogen and her daughter, it might work in your favor to show a little vulnerability, especially around your father. You know, play into that male ego. I’m not above it myself.”

“Really? I wouldn’t have pegged you for the type to fall for that, Mr. Harris. But if you all insist, I’ll try to adjust my approach.”

Their conversation was interrupted by Francis, who approached with a less-than-cheerful expression. With Madeline sulking in a corner, Regina didn’t need to guess that she had gone crying to her father. It was time for a change in tactics; she couldn’t let Imogen and Madeline keep getting the upper hand.

“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Regina asked.

Francis, blustering a moment ago, deflated in Nolan’s presence.

“What seems to be the matter, Mr. Tanner?”

Both Nolan and Regina looked at him innocently, forcing Francis to muster a smile. “Nothing serious, just my little girl feeling upset. So I came to check in with Regina.”

“Oh, well, asking Ms. Tanner won’t do you much good. She’s been with me the whole time, and we’ve been having a delightful chat.”

Francis glanced at Regina, surprised she’d managed to charm the most influential guest. If she could keep his interest, Francis would be more than satisfied with such a son-in-law.

“Is that so? That’s rather generous of you, Mr. Harris. Youngsters like yourselves should have a lot in common. Why don’t you two go out for a date instead of sticking around here? This dinner party is

more for us old-timers anyway. You youngsters must be bored stiff.”

Francis’s intentions were as clear as day, and Regina felt a twinge of embarrassment.

“Dad-there’s no need to worry about us. Go mingle with the other guests. I’ll take good care of Mr. Harris.”