Chapter


    4517


    "Okay, okay, I won''t say another word," Mrs. Lafond said, amused by her


    daughter''s speechless expression. She focused on doing Romina''s makeup with


    care.


    Once finished, she stepped back to admire her work and beamed. "You look stunning. With makeup, you''re even more gorgeous-like a fairy."


    Romina nced at her reflection. "You should''ve said I look like a fairy without makeup too. Now it sounds like my beauty relies on makeup."


    Her motherughed. "My daughter is a fairy with or without makeup. You could charm a truckload of men."


    She asked, "What jewelry are you wearing tonight?"


    "Something simple. I don''t like shy pieces. Honestly, I''m so beautiful I don''t need any jewelry. My elegance is natural—I don''t need any of that gaudy stuff.” Romina opened the drawer of her vanity, took out a small box, and pulled out a delicate pair of earrings and a minimalist ne. She put both on while looking in the mirror. She skipped the rings-she hated wearing anything on her hands while typing or signing papers.


    "You wear those same pieces to every banquet," Mrs. Lafondined. "That ne is tiny and in, and those earrings are nothing special. You have so much jewelry. What''s the point of keeping it if you never wear it?"


    "Since the day you were born," she went on, "your grandparents and uncles have been showering you with jewelry for every birthday and holiday. I even organized a whole jewelry boutique just for you. That private collection puts most stores to shame-but you let it all just sit there."


    Romina smiled. "Mom, I''m not even married. Where would I get a daughter to pass them down to? Maybe I''ll never get married or have kids. I have nieces and nephews-I''ll gift the jewelry to my niece when she gets married. I like looking at the pieces, but I don''t enjoy wearing them. Can''t force myself."


    Though she appreciated beautiful things, Romina had never been into wearing them. Her collection remained locked up, untouched.


    She didn''t even wear essories to work. Her style was always clean and simple.


    Mrs. Lafond had long given up trying to change her.


    Everyone had their preferences. Romina just had hers.


    Romina loved doing business and making money. The Lafond family was already


    wealthy, but she was always chasing more.


    "Don''t say things like you''ll never get married," her mother said. "There are stages


    in life— and when it''s time to marry and have kids, you should. One child''s fine, but two is better. Only children get lonely.


    "No matter how close you are to your nieces and nephews, they''re not your kids. They have their own parents to care for. How much time will they really have for their aunt?


    "You can say this stuff to me, but don''t say it to your grandfather. He''s already worried sick about your marriage. He says he regrets raising you too well. You''ve be so picky, you can''t find anyone up to your standards."


    In a city like Eaglioncile, not many men could outshine the Lafond siblings.