Nolan couldnât help but feel a pang of heartache whenever he thought of how innocent Regina seemed.
Suddenly, Domingo flashed through his mind as a key player. The last time around, Domingo had taken quite a fall in the situation involving him and Regina. After years of hustling in the streets, would he really just swallow his pride?
âIt better not have been you who pulled this stunt.â
After escaping the last predicament, Nolan had been keeping tabs on Domingo, thinking if it really was him, there would have been some noise.
But Domingo had been unusually quiet since then, barely even showing up in his own turf. Nolan couldnât let this lead slip. Just then, Lucy called.
âMr. Harris, weâve tracked Domingoâs movements today. He went to his usual spot at the Joy Center, and we didnât spot him anywhere near the Tanner Mansion.â
But after hearing her report, Nolanâs suspicions only deepened. If not Domingo, he couldnât fathom who else Regina might have crossed recently.
To resort to such drastic measures, daring enough to kidnap someone in broad daylight without fear of surveillance, it had to be someone with a deep grudge against Regina. Otherwise, Nolan couldnât see who else would go to such lengths.
Imogen and Madeline were also within Nolanâs considerations, but those two were still holed up at the Tanner Mansion.
Thatâs when Francis called.
Nolan really didnât want to answer but feared there might be some leads on Francisâs end.
âSpeak.â
Francis had hoped for a bit of small talk, but was met with Nolanâs icy response. Disdainfully, he pulled the phone away slightly, ensuring Madeline and Imogen wouldnât overhear and cost him his dignity.
âI was wondering what your plan is. Since no one has contacted us, this isnât a simple kidnapping.
Theyâre not after money.â
âSo, whatâs your point? Are you trying to prove youâve finally caught on? Someoneâs after your daughterâs life, do I need to spell it out for you?â
Regina was missing, and her father seemed clueless, fueling Nolanâs frustration.
âHow dare you speak to me like that? Iâm your father-in-law, for heavenâs sake. Reginaâs my daughter, yet you seem more frantic than I, her own father. Whatâs your act? When I wanted my daughter to marry you, werenât you the one resisting? She faced so much humiliation!â
Nolan cut him off, âOur issues are none of your concern. If you donât have any leads, stop calling. I donât have time to waste on you.â
Nolan hung up on Francis again, the abrupt dismissal catching him off guard.
Staring at the disconnected call, Francis was left gasping for air.
Imogen sensed something was amiss but hesitated to approach. It was clear he had been chewed out by Nolan.
Madeline moved to ask but was stopped by Imogen, who shook her head and silently gestured for her not to.
After a while, Francis managed to muster a weak smile and approached them, explaining, âNolanâs just as clueless, like an ant on a hot pan. Asking him is pointless. Letâs just wait for the kidnappers to contact us.â