River hadn''t thought about that at all.


    Seeing his reaction, Donovan let out a quiet sigh. As expected.


    Romina had already considered this angle. She was always the cautious one.


    After a while, River asked, "Are you saying I should leave Yantail? Or... let the


    Lafond Group acquire it?"


    Donovan shook his head. "That''s for you to figure out. I won''t make that decision


    for you. I get it-men value their careers. You worked hard to build Yantail from


    the ground up aftering to Eaglioncile. It wouldn''t be right for me to ask you to


    throw all that away for Romina." "But," he continued, "there might be a middle


    ground. What if Yantail shifted into a different industry? As long as you''re not in


    the same field as Lafond, there''s no conflict, nopetition.


    No reason for suspicion."


    "River, we all respect you. You''re incredibly capable. Even if Yantail changed


    direction, I''m sure you''d still seed."


    Donovan nced out the window. "Lafond is a massive group. We''re involved in


    multiple industries already. It''s not easy for us to change course quickly. But we''re


    trying. The current industryndscape is getting more difficult by the day."


    While Lafond Group was diversified, some sectors were more difficult to pivot out


    of. But Donovan didn''t mention that to River.


    River, on the other hand, didn''t say what he was really thinking either. Lafond''s


    diversification made it easier to shift out of one industry without destabilizing the


    wholepany. But Yantail was just starting to branch into new markets. It wasn''t


    stable yet.


    Still, if Yantail''s new sectors started showing real profits, River would be ready to


    lead a full transition.


    He knew Donovan was testing him—to see how much he was willing to give up


    for Romina.


    River replied, "I''ll think it over carefully. But no matter what happens, my feelings


    for Romina won''t change."


    The men of the York family were known for their loyalty. When they gave their


    heart to someone, it was for life.


    If Romina refused to be with him in the end, River would remain single forever.


    He had plenty of nieces and nephews. There was no pressure to marry or have


    kids of his own. And even in old age, he''d never be left behind.


    The York family would never let their beloved Uncle River go hungry.


    Donovan gave a thoughtful hum. "There''s no rush. Think it through. This is your


    future we''re talking about—your whole life."


    He understood that asking someone to give up their career was a huge ask. And


    he also knew River wouldn''t be able to decide immediately.


    Part of him regretted that River had to be Yantail''s boss of all people.


    After finishing his coffee, Donovan checked the time and said, "I''ve got a lunch


    meeting, so I''ll head out. The coffee''s on me."


    "Thanks for the treat, Brother." River stood to see him off.


    Romina still hadn''t arrived. It wasn''t quite noon yet.


    Knowing her, she wouldn''t rush. She''d wait until work officially ended, maybe


    even take her time.


    With traffic, she probably wouldn''t get to the hotel until around one in the


    afternoon.