The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2683

Daphne Olsen replied, [What? Didn’t your folks just wrap up a dinner party? And now another one? Can’t escape again like the last time, huh? If you go, I’ll go.]

Regina texted, [Yeah. This time, my dad made it clear: no escapes. Seriously, if I have to sit through another one of these shindigs tomorrow night alone, I’ll be squirming in my seat the whole time.]

[Brace yourself for the matchmaking mayhem!] Daphne joked.

Regina’s frown deepened as she texted back, [I’m not kidding. I’d rather run laps around the track than sit through that dinner. It’s so dull, facing a bunch of guys I don’t know, all wearing their phony smiles like masks. We’re all trapped in this charade-why put us through it?]

Daphne sent a hugging emoji, her digital embrace a small comfort. [I don’t get it either. Why is your father in such a rush? You’re only twenty, for heaven’s sake-the prime of your life!]

[It’s all because of that mother-daughter duo whispering poison in my dad’s ear. You know how he is-soft as dough. Imogen’s been filling his head with tales of who’s getting engaged and how I haven’t even dated yet. That gets him all worked up, thinking there’s something wrong with me.]

Regina could only vent so freely about them to her closest friend.

obsessed with marrying you off. She should worry more about her own daughter, who’s flunking at the international school-embarrassing if you ask me!]

to see Regina wed was driven by fear that the lion’s share of the Tanner fortune might slip through her fingers.

up the

those things, but what’s mine is mine, and I won’t let go. Don’t forget, you better show up

before finally signing off to

anymore-come hell or high water,

for today. You have a dinner with the Tanner family at 6 PM. I’ve prepared your evening attire,” the secretary said as she laid the invitation

and quipped. “The Tanners again? Francis has been quite active

to be about

is she of marriageable age already?”

up from the contract he was scrutinizing

shook her head. Regina just turned twenty. Far from the to rush into marriage. But Francis is probably listening to