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.

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

a title. You'll understand why soon

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

I'm going to the

it as an excuse to step

He didn't try to stop her-didn't even expose her

along well enough, and he thought it was worth giving the relationship a

Maddox had already accepted that he'd lost.

acting off all night, and

want to admit it. They were both too

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,

crowd, looking for a

these events, but they

reality for men in the York family. They had to share the burden

brother, and eventually, strike out on