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.

their glasses, Old Mr. Lacroix said playfully, "River, now wait a minute. Why are you calling

understand why soon enough." Old Mr. Lacroix laughed,

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

going to the

used it

try to stop her-didn't

it was worth giving the relationship a shot. But it was obvious who

that

had been acting off all night, and now he understood

of rivalry, she and River might have developed feelings for each other without even realizing it. Or maybe they had just didn't want to admit it. They were both too proud. Whoever admitted their feelings first... would lose. Meanwhile, River was mingling, greeting acquaintances, chatting, even closing a

slipped out for some air. The Lacroix estate was massive. A wide

the crowd, looking for a quiet

for these events, but they were

the reality for men in the York

eventually, strike out