Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

"Grandpa, I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, ask her privately later. I wouldn't lie to you."

Old Mr. Lafond glanced at his granddaughter sitting nearby.

Sensing her grandfather's gaze, Romina knew exactly what River must've said. She called out quickly, "Grandpa, whatever River told you-it's all nonsense. I'll explain everything when we get home."

River sat up straight, smiling. "See, Grandpa? She's nervous and defensive. But now's not the time to get into it."

He called over a server and picked up a glass of wine. Lifting it, he toasted the two old men.

Old Mr. Lacroix and Old Mr. Lafond had half-finished drinks in front of them. They had only taken a few sips.

Seeing River toast them, they lifted their glasses as well and clinked glasses with him.

River drank his entire glass in one go. "Old Mr. Lacroix, Grandpa-I finished mine. You're free to drink as much or as little as you like."

The two elders only sipped theirs.

wait a minute. Why are you calling him Grandpa but still calling me

You'll understand why soon enough."

for a little while longer. As more guests arrived, he

I'm going

away and used it as

He didn't try to

he hadn't developed real feelings for Romina. They got along well enough, and he thought it was worth giving the relationship a shot. But it

already accepted that he'd lost. Fair and

all night,

each other without even realizing it. Or maybe they had just didn't want to admit it. They

and noise got to him, and he slipped out for some air. The Lacroix estate was massive. A wide lawn spread out in front of the main house. Tonight, it was lit like daytime, with

for a quiet place

didn't care for these events, but they

York family. They

eventually, strike out on their