The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2857
“Darling, you’ve been exhausting yourself too long, and that’s why you’re unwell. Why don’t you just stay home and take some
time to rest and recuperate?”
Regina nodded, her gaze lowered as she nibbled on her breakfast, looking obedient.
Francis watched her, feeling a pang of fatherly pride. His little girl had grown up, and perhaps she understood the sacrifices he’d
made.
Little did he know, she was already plotting to sneak into his study for evidence once he left for work.
In this household, Francis was the only one with a nine-to-five. Once he departed, the atmosphere at the breakfast table shifted
entirely.
Regina kept quiet but discreetly moved her chair two spots away from Imogen.
“Oh, weren’t you playing the doting daughter just a moment ago? Why aren’t you sitting next to me now?”
Regina replied with a smile, “Oh, I wouldn’t dare. I’m just worried my illness may affect the little one in your womb.”
When Regina was a little girl and had first tried to get close to her, she had retreated. She claimed Regina’s been a bad luck,
which was why her mother died so young. That comment had stuck with Regina for a long time.
But this time, Imogen nodded earnestly. “Indeed, we don’t want any bad luck around here. This baby is a stroke of good fortune,
and it’s best you keep your distance. After all, your father is counting on me to deliver the son your mother never could.”
Regina’s sip of soy milk paused, and then she continued as if nothing was amiss.
Regina could keep her cool, but Emma certainly couldn’t.
Yes, Francis had gone to work, but the family members who had always stood by R hadn’t left. Emma was about to serve up
some pudding when she overheard Imogel berating Regina.
She couldn’t contain her anger, so she slammed the pudding down on the table. “Mad isn’t that a bit harsh? Is that really
something you should be saying to Regina?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Who are you to raise your voice to me? A mere servant, y dare to speak up against me and forget
your place?”
Emma chuckled, “Who rules the roost isn’t for me to say, but it’s certainly not yo
you. This house bears the Tanner name, and Mr. Tanner is the head. I wonder if he knows how spiteful you are about his former
wife?”
Francis loved to play the part of the doting husband, and if word of Imogen’s remarks reached his ears, it would surely cause a
stir.
“Hey, you slug, how dare you threaten me? Who do you think you are?”
Imogen was carrying Francis’ son and already felt superior. Her belly wasn’t even showing, but she already felt proud. Now, even
Madeline looked down on Emma with disdain – what was a servant doing talking back to her mother?
“I’m just a nobody in the Tanner family, but some birds think they’re phoenixes once they’ve perched on a high branch. You
should weigh your words before speaking, especially to Regina. After all, she’s the only Tanner child we have for now. You
should treasure your position, at least until the baby is born. There’s no harm in waiting to crow.”
“Phew! You can’t spit out anything but venom, can you? Are you cursing my mother? I warn you my father cherishes the child my
mother is carrying. If anything were to happen, none of you would escape the blame!”
Imogen took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She was, after all, carrying precious cargo, and there was no point in wasting
her energy on the help.