âMs. Tanner,â Nolan nodded slightly, a wry smile playing at the edge of his lips. âIâm surprised youâre not a fan of the party scene either.â
Busted, Regina had no need to pretend. She smoothed her dress and casually held a few cookies sheâd snagged from the kitchen. The truth was, she hadnât had a chance to enjoy some snacks yet, and she was so hungry she could feel her stomach gnawing on itself.
âWhat, you donât like it, so Iâm not allowed to dislike it either? Mr. Harris is really laying it on thick tonight,â she sighed.
âPeople always think the bossy ones are bossy until they get called out themselves. So, what? You still think I took your spot? Even after finding out who I am, you should realize thatâs not the case.â
Regina rolled her eyes as she bit into a cookie, âJust because youâre a CEO doesnât mean you canât take my spot. I can afford a ticket just as well as you can, you know? You keep saying Dahlia saved you a seat, but even you guys can make mistakes, right? I canât stand the way you lot always act so superior. Like everythingâs my fault, when itâs clearly caused by someone else.â
Seeing Regina chomping down on her snack as if unleashing all her frustration, Nolan couldnât help but think she was picturing the biscuit as him.
âIf you were just another reporter from a different walk of life, Ms. Tanner, Iâd get your point. But arenât you one of us? Your position certainly seems to be among the elite,â
Nolan remarked.
As Reginaâs chewing slowed, she reflected on Nolanâs words. She detested all of this, yet wasnât she part of it?
If she hadnât begged a friend to snag a ticket, she wouldnât have been able to see Dahlia perform at all.
And with everything that had happened tonight, she felt utterly disheartened. No matter how much she struggled, her background seemed to dictate everything.
Not to mention her fatherâs relentless matchmaking, parading a lineup of suitable bachelors in front of her, all to forge an alliance that would raise their family status even higher.
Did Nolan really not understand the nature of this banquet? Her naive words in his presence now seemed bitterly ironic.
âYouâre right, Mr. Harris. Iâm just like that,â Regina said, her voice a mere whisper of resignation.
Nolan turned to look at her, slightly startled. There she was, wilting like a touch-me-not, her usual spark gone.
What surprised him was that despite her privileged upbringing, she didnât carry the calculating demeanor of her peers. Instead, she retained a certain innocence, a rarity given her familyâs current state.
âMs. Tanner, you seem quite unhappy. Is it because Iâve hit a nerve?â Nolan asked, his tone softening.
Regina let out a sarcastic laugh, shaking her head in defeat. âItâs just the realization that thereâs no point in arguing. Even though I worked hard to earn my place at New Blossom Press, it seems to make no difference. As long as I bear the Lowell name, Iâll always carry the weight of this familyâs reputation.
No matter how hard I try, no one will recognize my abilities for what they are.â