The Kiss that Sparked it All

Imogen’s tears came in torrents, her eyes brimming with sorrow as she implored Regina, “Why, Regina? Why would you do this? To you, this bracelet might just be some trinket, but it was the last thing my mother left me. If I’ve done something to upset you, I’m sorry, okay? But this bracelet means the world to me Can’t you just stop the act? Please, give it back.”

Regina, still reeling from the accusation, clutched her wine glass tighter, her smile betraying a hint of panic, “What are you talking about? Bracelet? I haven’t seen any bracelet.”

Madeline added fuel to the fire, “Did we do something to offend you, Regina? If we’ve made a mistake, I’m ready to apologize. But please, the bracelet is really important. Quit joking around and give it back to Mom. We’re all family here. We can sit down and talk it out, no need for cruel jokes.”

If it weren’t for the room full of guests, Regina might have burst out laughing.

Madeline kept saying ‘we’re all family’ and suggesting a peaceful talk, but did she really seem like she wanted to talk things out?

It looked like mother and daughter were putting on a show, trying to sling mud at her.

“Enough,” Francis finally interjected, his voice tinged with hesitation. But as he saw his wife’s tear- stained face, he couldn’t help but pat her back in an attempt to soothe her. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Imogen said, “It’s not like I’m framing Regina for anything. The security footage is right there for all to see. I don’t know what kind of beef I could have with Regina. Please, help me smooth things over. We can’t play around with that bracelet!”

Agnes was clearly annoyed, her arms crossed as she retorted icily, “Regina wouldn’t be so thoughtless. Besides, just because you say it’s on camera doesn’t make it so. Could someone have tampered with

it?”

She felt a pang of sympathy for her friend Magina’s daughter, remembering how when Magina married Francis, she never imagined her own child would one day be left to fend for herself.

The guests were divided-some siding with Regina, others with Imogen. The power dynamics within the family were clear, and it seemed Regina had fallen out of Francis’s favor. Otherwise, what kind of father wouldn’t defend his daughter’s reputation?

“Agnes, you’re being a bit unfair,” someone countered. “This all happened so suddenly, so who would have the time to fake it? And we’ve all seen it-Regina and Mrs. Tanner have been at odds. It’s not impossible that Regina, in a fit of drunken impulsiveness, wanted to take revenge on Mrs. Tanner.”

Agnes shot the person a glare sharp enough to cut. “I don’t need your input when I’m speaking. I can vouch for Regina-she had nothing to do with today’s incident.”

“Empty words are easy to say. I could just as well vouch for Mrs. Tanner. That security footage is definitely real. Regina must have had it out for her, that’s why she destroyed her mother’s last keepsake.”

Agnes chuckled dismissively, her gaze on the accuser full of contempt. “Then let’s make a bet with our stocks for the next six months, shall we? Do you dare?”