River got into the car grinning like he''d just struck gold.


    Serenity noticed and asked curiously, "River, what''s got you smiling like that?" "Sis-inw, Romina gave me a new outfit," River said, proudly lifting the bag like it was a treasure chest. His grin was so wide his eyes nearly disappeared. Serenity raised an eyebrow. "Didn''t Romina say she bought that set for her brother—and just happened to buy a second one for you too?"


    River shrugged. "Beats me. All I know is she said this set was mine. Called it a reward for all my hard work. But I think it was her way of sending a signal-like she''s into me. I mean, I''m a catch. She knows me well, how could she possibly resist?"


    Serenity was speechless. It was obvious he was the one crushing on Romina, yet he spun it like she couldn''t stay away from him. If Romina heard this, she''d probably snatch the clothes back and toss them in the trash.


    River pulled the suit from the bag and held it up against himself. "I''ve gotta say, Romina''s got great taste. This suit fits me perfectly."


    Serenity said, "Aren''t all ck suits basically the same? As long as the size is right, it''ll look good. You guys always go for ck or dark blue suits. Why doesn''t anyone ever wear white? Don''t you think white suits make you look like a real prince charming-could sweep any Snow White off her feet?"


    Riverughed. "Well, I like ck. If you think white suits are so great, buy a few for my brother instead. But don''t me him when you suddenly have a ton of love rivals. He''s got that charm, you know. Still, he''s crazy about you-he''d never look at anyone else."


    Serenity chuckled. "I did buy him a white suit, but he only wears it on special asions. He''s usually in ck too. River, putting aside all the drama between you and Romina, don''t you think she''s a great girl?"


    River nodded. "She is. Even though we''re rivals, I''ve always admitted she''s impressive. I''ve met plenty of rich girls in Eaglioncile, but not many like her. She''s strong without being overbearing. She never bullies people, and even when dealing withpetition, she stays respectful. Her ''bad side''-yeah, that''s reserved just for me. Maybe she''s jealous that I''m better than her. Either way, she''s amazing. If I hadn''t be one of the bosses at Yantail,


    maybe I would''ve said yes when she tried to recruit me with that big offer. Things might''ve turned out different... maybe we wouldn''t be enemies."


    But the truth was, with the positions they held now, they could never be equals— he''d be beneath her.


    Still, River didn''t regret staying loyal to Yantail. After all, he''d helped build thepany into what it was today. Now that he was one of the key decision-makers, things were looking up- and so was his bank ount.


    The original owner held half the shares but stayed out of the day-to-day operations, just taking his cut of the profits. River, on the other hand, was in charge.


    The former boss''s wife had tried to get her rtives hired into thepany, but River wasn''t having it. Once he took over, he cleaned house-firing those who were there through connections and bringing in real talent from outside. When hiring for key roles, River personally interviewed and vetted every candidate. If they didn''t pass probation, they were out.


    Even if they did, he implemented quarterly evaluations. Anyone who didn''t meet the bar got demoted, had their pay docked-or got fired altogether.