Romina''s brother was a little better-at least he was open to love and not too fussy. As long as a girl had a good background and decent character, he''d


    consider her. He was willing to settle down.


    But Romina?


    She rejected everyone.


    Even men who matched the Lafond family in wealth and status were turned away by her for one reason or another.


    Thinking of the only man who ever challenged her daughter andsted, Mrs. Lafond sighed. River. That mortal enemy.


    "Romina, Maddox is a really great guy. He''s got a calm personality. Just give it a try. If it feels right after some time, marry him. We''re close to the Johnstone family. If you marry into that home and they ever mistreat you, we''ll be there to stand up


    for you."


    "If Maddox ever tries to bully me," Romina said, "I''ll beat him up and knock some sense into him."


    Mrs. Lafond: ".....”


    Her daughter was just too fierce.


    Most men would be terrified of her.


    "Alright, let''s head downstairs. Don''t keep Maddox waiting. And don''t get drunk tonight. I already told Maddox to keep an eye on you. You don''t hold your liquor well. When you''re drunk, you start flirting with good-looking men. If it''s Maddox, fine—you''ll just have to take responsibility. But if it''s someone else..."


    "I told you, I''m not going to get drunk," Romina cut her off. "Most men can''t even outdrink me."


    She had better tolerance now. Those past incidents of drunken flirting were behind her. She wouldn''t get drunk unless she faked it or someone gave her hard liquor, which was rare at formal events. No one wanted business deals ruined by alcohol-fueled chaos.


    "I get it," her mom said. "But still-what if you''re in a bad mood, you drink more than usual, and things go wrong? Especially if River''s there. He could piss you off. I just want to remind you."


    Romina replied, "I''ll be fine. I''ve heard River can drink a lot, but I''ve never had a drinking contest with him. Tonight might be the first."


    They usually didn''t show up to the same events. But if she had the chance, she wanted to drink River under the table. That would give her a new reason tough at him.


    "I''m heading out," Romina said, already halfway out the door to avoid more nagging. Mrs. Lafond followed instinctively. "If you run into River, hold your temper. Don''t scare Maddox away. Your father and I really like him. We''re hoping he bes our son-inw." Romina stopped and looked back. "If Maddox gets scared just because I argue with my mortal enemy, then he''s not the one. He''s out."


    "...Maddox is very mature," her mom said gently.


    Romina smirked. "Then he won''t scare easily, right?"


    "You''re impossible," her mother muttered. "I just have a bad feeling. Like you''re


    going to cause trouble at tonight''s banquet."


    "Mom, I''m not a toddler. What kind of trouble could I possibly cause?"


    "If you''re that worried, why don''t youe with me?"


    Mrs. Lafond quickly shook her head. "Those banquets go toote. I need my sleep."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!