Chapter


    4520


    Mrs. Lafond continued, “When I went upstairs earlier, Romina was still picking an evening gown. That''s definitely not normal. She''s never hesitated like that before —usually she just grabs something and heads out. I don''t think she dressed up tonight just for Maddox."


    No one knew Romina better than her mother.


    Mr. Lafond asked, "If not for Maddox, then who? I''ve never heard of her liking anyone. If she did, your father wouldn''t worry so much about her. Do you think we''ve failed as parents? Dad is still running thepany at eighty, handling all the major decisions. Our kids are neckdeep in business with no time for rtionships, while we retired early, living the good life. Maybe we haven''t helped much at all."


    Mrs. Lafond looked at him. "Feeling guilty about your dad and the kids? Then go back to thepany. But with your so-called skills, you''ll just end up doing busywork, and the kids will mock you for being useless. You didn''t retire early for your health-it''s because you weren''t capable."


    Mr. Lafond blushed and coughed. "Come on, give me a little credit. I admit I''m not that capable, but our kids are. Even Dad said he trusts thepany in their hands."


    Not just their kids-their nieces and nephews were excellent too. The Lafond family wasn''tcking in sessors.


    "At home, who needs face?" Mrs. Lafond teased. "Your own family knows the truth. Besides, I think everyone else already knows what you''re capable of." He coughed again and changed the subject. "Let''s not talk about me. We were discussing Romina. Let''s keep things cheerful—it''s good for our health.”


    "Alright, so you don''t think Romina dressed up for Maddox. Then who was it for? I haven''t heard of anyone she likes. If she had someone, she wouldn''t be spending time with Maddox now."


    They''d said before there was no spark. Could something have changed now?


    "I don''t know who she''s thinking about," Mrs. Lafond said, "but I still don''t believe it''s Maddox."


    "I heard River is going to the banquet tonight. Do you think Romina could actually be into him? Honestly, River is a great guy. Forget the fact that our families don''t get along he really is a good match for her."


    "No way," Mr. Lafond said immediately. "Romina and River are sworn enemies. Everyone in Eaglioncile knows it."


    "But River will be there tonight. Romina dressed up, and she''s going with Maddox. Everyone will think they''re a couple. Maybe she''s doing it on purpose-to show River she''s moved on, that she has someone now, while he''s still single. That''s how sworn enemies operate. As soon as they get the upper hand in any way, they make sure the other person knows." Mr. Lafond thought he was onto something. He still didn''t believe Romina would ever like River, no matter how outstanding he


    was.


    To him, River would always be her lifelong rival.


    But as she thought about it, Mrs. Lafond had to admit his theory did make some


    sense.