The Kiss that Sparked it All (Ellinor and Theo) novel 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."

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?