Lost Me Gained Regret



Christine knew full well that Gregory had come over.

The couple hadn't seen each other all evening, probably caught up in their own little world of affection, so she wasn't in a hurry to have Jane return.novelbin

She was keeping an eye on the medication, and just as she was starting to feel drowsy, the door to the room swung open. Expecting Jane, she greeted the newcomer with a smile, "I thought you wouldn't be back until lunchtime..."

But the person who walked in wasn't Jane. Instead, Christine saw a face that, despite the marks of time, was well-maintained.

Sitting up straighter, she acknowledged the visitor, "Madge."

"Can I get you some water?"

Christine reached out, intending to pour a glass of water.

Madge stepped closer, stopping her with a gesture, "No need."

Then, taking a seat in the chair nearby, she said, "Don't be nervous, I just wanted to have a chat."

Christine was a social butterfly, comfortable in conversation with just about anyone.

But facing Gregory's grandmother, she felt a bit uneasy.

"You want to talk about me and Dailey, right?"

Madge was a veteran of the corporate world, having carved a path for herself before playing matchmaker for her son with a woman of similar resolve and a family with a business pedigree.

For Dailey, it seemed she had been scouting potential partners since his birth.

The Clarkson family wasn't exactly like the Ford family.

Their enemies were numerous.

Now that Caldwell had stepped down, his son was still active in politics, and Dailey was expected to follow suit.

Therefore, his partner needed to be someone from a good family with personal capabilities to match.

Christine and Jane's boutique fashion business had come to her attention.

However, it was too small to be significant.

Even if Christine held some business acumen, her lack of a powerful family background would not be of help to Dailey.

In times of trouble, it would be Dailey cleaning up after her.

An enemy taking advantage of such a situation would only make Dailey's already perilous journey even harder.

"Young lady, I hold no prejudice against you, and young people dating is perfectly normal, but that's all it should be."

"Take your friend, Mrs. Ford, for instance. She may have been adrift at some point, but she comes from an impressive background, now affiliated with the Myers family and as the daughter of the heiress Bella Taylor, she stands to inherit a fortune."

"So her marrying Gregory is truly a merger of equals."

"But what can you bring to Dailey?"

Madge's voice was soft but carried the weight of a heavy hammer, leaving Christine speechless.

"Jane might support you, act as your family, helping you marry Dailey."

"But, dear, our family and the Fords share resources and interests already. We don't need you for that. What we seek are additional assets to secure Dailey's future."

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Christine opened her mouth to respond, but Madge cut her off, "Let me give you an example. Nelly's background isn't great, orphaned and raised by her grandfather who worked as a driver for the Clarkson family. She grew up with us."

"And just with that, she has learned and seen more than most."

"Merely having that kind of knowledge puts you at a disadvantage against her, let alone facing what's to come."

Christine was well aware that business and politics were different arenas.

Hearing from Jane about Dailey's political ambitions had indeed made her hesitate.

Initially, when Dailey showed interest, she thought of just going with the flow.