Chapter 2778: Chapter 2783

“We need to take this step by step; you can’t expect to hit the jackpot overnight!”

Imogen replied with just a nod, “Don’t you trust me? Alright, don’t linger in my room too long. I don’t want to give those busybodies the satisfaction of thinking I’m under the weather, especially not that smug witch. You better head back to your room. I’ll fill you in if anything comes up.”

With a heart full of worry, Madeline was ushered out of Imogen’s room, and just as she was about to say something more, she caught Regina leaning casually against the banister, arms folded, a look of avid curiosity on her face.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, seems there are some secrets even a mother won’t share with her daughter! But then again, you’re just a kid; what help could you possibly offer to your mother? If it were me, I’d certainly keep my cards close to my chest.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Madeline despised Regina’s condescending demeanor.

Despite having far less than her, Regina always flaunted her air of affluence. She was a true actress.

“It means exactly what you heard. Tough love is often unpalatable; honest advice is seldom sweet. If I were you, I’d dig deep until I got to the bottom of it. Who knows what might happen in the future if you’re not in control? Alas…”

Madeline let out a cold laugh. “I didn’t realize you had become so cryptic. Or is there actually nothing, and you’re just throwing smoke bombs to confuse me? Of course, some people have lost their mothers and naturally long for those maternal moments.”

Regina looked down, a sly smile crossing her lips. “Madeline, can you talk about anythin other than mothers? It’s a pity, even if you had something I don’t, I doubt you could outshine me. My mother has given me enough to last a lifetime.”

The satisfied smile on Regina’s face as she spoke of her mother wasn’t just for show it twisted the knife in Madeline’s gut.

“Cut the act, Regina. You seem to have forgotten how you fawned over my mother wh she first joined the Tanner family. I don’t mind jogging your memory.”

Regina nodded thoughtfully. “Ah yes, when your mother first came to the Tanner family, thought she’d be a pleasant elder to get along with. Who would have guessed she had th heart of a viper, picking on children? No hero in my book. But it doesn’t matter; I’ve outgrown the age of reaching out for help. As for you, Madeline, you might want to keep tabs on your mother’s recent activities instead of ending up blindsided.”

With that parting shot, Regina sauntered away, her words meant to plant seeds of doubt. Once back in the solitude of her room, however, she clutched her chest, a pang of bitterness lingering. She never felt less than anyone, especially since, in her brief time with her parents, she had experienced pure, unconditional love. That was enough for her to cherish for the rest of her life.

But every time, Madeline managed to strike at her most tender spot, forcing her to reopen old wounds.

“Oh, Mom, how I miss you.”

Madeline didn’t rush to confront Imogen as Regina had anticipated. She knew that the more desperate she appeared, the less likely her mother would reveal the identity of the man. She couldn’t understand who this man could be and what relation he bore to her that warranted such protection. Could he be an old flame of her mother’s?