StoryNovel"I was called back by Mom, | swear! My friends were with me, and they can all vouch for me!" Imogen was frantic. "Exactly, Madeline might have her differences with Regina, but they're just kids' stuff. How could you pin this serious accusation on her? If you really don't believe it, ask her friends. She was at the library with them, a bunch of well-to-do girls; they wouldn't lie." Madeline was already sobbing quietly, "I know I'm not your biological daughter, and | can never replace Regina in your heart. But ever since I've been part of the Tanner family, I've always seen you as my real dad. It hurts that you don't believe me, I...I just can't..." Seeing her cry made Imogen tear up too. "Francis, we need to sort this out today. Do you really not trust Madeline? We've both poured our hearts into this family. How can you doubt my child like this?" As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, and she suddenly clutched her belly and shouted, "If you've never believed me, then why should I keep this baby? Maybe | should just go to the hospital tomorrow and...end it early. It would save you the trouble of doubting him in the future!" Francis was taken aback and quickly grabbed her hand. "What are you saying? When have | ever doubted our child? I was just asking, in case it somehow involved Madeline. Maybe it's just a child's mistake." "You're still going on about it! I'm going to the hospital right now—" Once Imogen played the pregnancy card, Francis was out of options. He was desperate for a son, believing Imogen could give him one. How could he let her threaten their future child's life? He reluctantly turned to Nolan, trying to explain, "You see the situation. How could a girl like Madeline possibly be involved in Regina's disappearance? Maybe there's been smistake. We should really double-check. If your people are barking up the wrong tree, it won't help us find Regina." Nolan shook his head, unimpressed. "Useless." Completely swayed by a few tears from Imogen and Madeline, lacking any real judgment. How could Francis be capable of anything? No wonder Regina felt suffocated in this house, constantly having to vie for attention and play roles with such people. But Nolan had made up his mind. Regina would never step foot in this house again. The hardships she had endured here would not be repeated.
While the three of them huddled together, looking for all the world like a family united in grief, Nolan wasn't buying any of it.
"I'm laying it out here, Madeline. You have two choices: tellwhat you did to Regina, or don't expect to walk out of this house alive." Francis's brow furrowed in anger, and he stepped up to Nolan, towering over him with indignation, "What are you saying? Madeline is just a child; how could she possibly do anything to Regina? Are you out of your mind, coming here to make a scene when you've got no leads? I'm Regina's father, and | say Madeline has nothing to do with this, so that's final. You better leave and head to the police station instead. Maybe they can actually find Regina."
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