Married At First Sight Chapter 4523
How could someone as capable as River not make it?
He had to be lying. There’s no way he was telling the truth.
“That Maybach up ahead belongs to River, right? I remember his license plate,” Romina said.
She remembered it clearly—and Maddox did too.
Truth be told, most of the business elites in Eaglioncile could recognize River’s license plate. His talent had made him a standout. When he led Yantail out of crisis and into the ranks of major corporations, he caught everyone’s attention.
Romina wasn’t the only one who had targeted Yantail. Others had made moves behind the scenes, but Romina—and the Lafond Group behind her—had always been open about their competition. They never played dirty.
Compared to his other rivals, River actually respected Romina. At least she was straightforward—no sneaky tricks behind his back.
“It’s him. He got here pretty early,” Romina noted.
Maddox glanced at her and smiled. “Romina, you may not want to hear this, but I’ve got to say it—my aunt asked me to remind you. At tonight’s banquet, even if you see River, try to keep your distance. Don’t stir up conflict and make things awkward for Mr. Lacroix.”
Romina replied, “I’ll try. But it’s not just up to me. He’s got to be willing to keep his distance too. Maddox, you don’t know how shameless that guy is. Even if I steer clear, he’ll still come over.”
River had asked her to treat him to a meal, and she refused.
Now, she was worried he might bring it up in front of everyone—maybe even in front of her grandfather—and twist it into something ridiculous. Say she took advantage of him or something.
Maddox chuckled. “You two really go at it.”
“At first, I just wanted to beat him. But then he wouldn’t let me go. Yantail’s become a major player, and my Lafond family can’t deal with them the way we used to. I watched a fierce competitor rise. I had a chance to stop him, but I didn’t. Now he’s thriving.” Romina sighed. “I’m almost thirty. Life had always gone smoothly for me… until I met River. He’s the first one who ever made me feel like I failed.”
Maddox said, “You two are like rivals who admire each other deep down. I think you respect him. If he weren’t the boss of Yantail, you’d probably try to steal him away.”
What Maddox didn’t dare say was that he also kind of wanted to steal River—professionally.
The Johnstone and Lafond families weren’t in the same industry, but they had overlapping business interests. They weren’t enemies of Yantail, but a lot of people respected River’s abilities.
Plenty of people envied Yantail’s owner—lucky enough to hire a professional like River who completely turned the company around. Now, the guy didn’t have to lift a finger and still brought in money hand over fist every year.
Despite many people trying to sow discord, he never once doubted River.
In terms of judgment, the man had excellent instincts.
After he transferred half of Yantail’s shares to River, no one dared try to poach River anymore. Even with people whispering in his ear, he’d say the same thing every time: I trust River.
If River ever wanted full control, he’d gladly sell him the other half at a low price.
Yantail’s boss’s wife, though—she was terrified that day would come. If anyone so much as muttered something bad about River in front of her husband, she’d lose her temper and rip off her polite demeanor, lashing out like a storm.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4524
Not even her own family could say a single bad word about River around her.
She would go off on anyone who tried.
Because if she really ticked off her husband, he would give the rest of the company to River. And then? Say goodbye to her current cushy lifestyle. Over time, everyone just stopped trying to drive a wedge between them.
Romina said nothing.
Their car pulled into the Lacroix family estate, guided by the butler. The driver parked.
Maddox stepped out first and waited at the side. When Romina got out, he offered his hand like a proper gentleman, helping her out gracefully.
Coincidentally, River had just parked his Maybach right next to them and was getting out.
As soon as he saw the scene—Maddox helping Romina—his expression darkened.
Of course, he knew the man next to Romina. Young Master Johnstone.
Oh, right. River recalled they had gone on a blind date. Had dinner once or twice. He thought that had fizzled out.
Apparently not.
“I was wondering who it was. Turns out it’s Romina,” River said with a smile, but his tone was sharp—almost mocking.
Romina shot back, “Don’t recognize me? That tone’s nasty.”
“Really? What’s so nasty about my tone?” River replied innocently.
Then, deliberately, he walked between Maddox and Romina, shouldering Maddox aside and standing directly between them—cutting off any closeness.
His eyes scanned Romina from head to toe. Then he smiled and said, “Romina, you look decent tonight. Totally different from your usual self.”
“River!” Romina’s voice shot up in pitch. Her eyes flared as she glared at him. “I don’t want to argue tonight. Stay away from me!”
So calling her decent tonight was his way of saying she usually looked like trash?
Unbelievable. If you don’t know how to speak, just shut up.
River shrugged. “I don’t want to argue either. Did I say something wrong? Why are you so angry? I didn’t even do anything. Unlike you—you took advantage of me and never took responsibility. I was touched by relatives when I was little, but after I grew up, nobody touched my face. You were the first.”
Romina let out a bitter laugh, furious. “River, you want to yell and announce that I touched your face and didn’t take responsibility for you? You want everyone to hear exactly how I ‘touched’ your face?”
“That was the classiest version of a slap I’ve ever heard.”
River still hadn’t forgotten.
All because she didn’t treat him to dinner when he asked.
She had apologized already. What more did he want?
Honestly, if she ever did take him out, she’d slip something into his food—maybe laxatives—just to make sure he paid for making her this angry.
“I’m gonna tell Mr. Lafond about all this later,” River added with a smirk. “Let’s see if I dare to shout it then—how you called me husband in front of all those people.”
Romina: “…”
She was fuming.
River was so damn shameless!
Married At First Sight Chapter 4525
“Mr. York, Mr. York.”
Maddox reminded himself that he was Romina’s date tonight. Seeing her losing ground to River, he called out to River twice.
River turned toward Maddox. The smile vanished from his handsome face in an instant.
His gaze sharpened, eyes turning cold like Maddox was his sworn enemy. He stared without saying a word.
They were about the same age, and Maddox had been in the business world for years, groomed from childhood as a successor. He’d faced all kinds of storms. But being stared at like that by River sent a chill down his spine.
River wasn’t someone to mess with.
This outsider—whose background few knew—always exuded a noble, commanding presence. Even when alone, he gave off the feeling of a general leading thousands.
“Mr. Johnstone, is it? Are we close?” River finally spoke, his cold tone easing a bit.
Maddox responded calmly, “We’re not close, Mr. York. But the woman you’re pestering right now is my date tonight. Romina and I came together. Please don’t make her uncomfortable. We still need to go inside and greet Mr. Lacroix.”
In his heart, Maddox was complaining. The look River gave him just now—it was like he saw him as a romantic rival.
Could it be that River actually had feelings for Romina?
“Your date?” River raised a brow. “Doesn’t Mr. Johnstone already have a girlfriend? So why didn’t you bring her tonight? Or are you juggling two women—charming one while stringing along the other?”
River turned to Romina with a smirk. “Romina, your taste in men is seriously lacking. You fall for someone who’s two-timing? Be careful not to get hurt.”
Romina instinctively looked at Maddox.
When she asked him to dinner, she’d asked clearly if he was seeing anyone. She said if he was single, they could give it another shot—see if there were any sparks.
Maddox had assured her he wasn’t in a relationship.
Maddox quickly explained, “Romina, I don’t have a girlfriend. I don’t know who told Mr. York that. Have you ever seen me with anyone else?”
River said flatly, “I saw it yesterday. You were hugging a woman—she was dressed sexy. The two of you looked pretty cozy.”
Maddox: “Yesterday? Oh—Mr. York, you’ve got it all wrong. That was my cousin. We grew up together and are really close. She’s a model—great looks, amazing figure. Sure, her clothes can look a little revealing to outsiders, but she’s family.”
River replied, “Oh, your cousin? You two were so affectionate, I assumed she was your girlfriend. Guess I misunderstood. Sorry about that—I thought you were cheating and wanted to give Romina a heads-up. Even though Romina and I don’t get along, I still hope she ends up with a good guy.”
Then he turned to Romina and said, “Romina, let’s go. I also need to greet Mr. Lacroix. Let’s head in together.”
He reached out his hand like a gentleman.
“What?” Romina raised an eyebrow.
“You’re wearing heels,” River said smoothly. “I figured you might have trouble walking, so I offered my hand. If you trip, I can help.”
Romina rejected him instantly. “River, I wouldn’t dare take your hand. You’d probably accuse me of taking advantage of you again and demand I take responsibility. I’m not ready to carry that burden.”
Married At First Sight Chapter 4526
High heels weren’t exactly foreign to Romina. She wore them all the time for work. She only switched to sneakers when she drove. She always kept two extra pairs of shoes in her car—sneakers and flats.
River chuckled. “Wow, Romina, I try to be a gentleman for once, and you won’t even give me the chance. Fine, you walk slowly. I’ll go ahead. Your grandfather and Mr. Lacroix are close, so I’m sure he’s already inside.”
Chairman Lafond was already there. He and Mr. Lacroix were longtime friends with a strong bond.
River’s remark wasn’t random. It was a not-so-subtle reminder that if he entered first, he might just say something unexpected to Romina’s grandfather.
Romina was so mad, her teeth itched.
But she kept her expression neutral. Smiling sweetly, she turned to Maddox and said, “Maddox, let’s go in together.”
She reached out her hand.
Maddox stepped around River, took her hand, and they walked a couple steps before Romina switched—slipping her arm through his instead.
They looked like the perfect couple as they headed toward the lavish main house.
Along the way, they ran into many acquaintances and exchanged greetings.
No one seemed surprised to see Romina and Maddox together. Word had spread long ago that their families were considering a marriage alliance.
When the rumors faded with no updates, people stopped paying attention.
But now that they showed up at the banquet together—with Romina affectionately holding Maddox’s arm—everyone figured the marriage plan was back on.
When the elders insisted, the younger generation often had to give in.
That said, the two did look like a good match.
Maddox was tall and striking in a black suit, with a warm, approachable smile.
Romina, in a white evening gown, matched him in height thanks to her heels. She was stunning, with a radiant smile on her beautiful face.
As the two entered the grand hall, everyone turned to look—like a golden couple had just walked in.
Chairman Lafond saw his cherished granddaughter on Maddox’s arm, looking so loving and close. He grinned from ear to ear, eyes practically disappearing into his smile.
Mr. Lacroix, standing beside him, laughed. “Old Lafond, looks like your Romina is with that Johnstone boy. Not bad—they really look great together.”
“I watched Romina grow up. It’s a shame my grandson isn’t her age. One’s too old, the other too young. Otherwise, I’d have tried to marry her into our family myself.”
Chairman Lafond chuckled. “Romina’s age doesn’t line up with your grandsons’, but I’ve got more granddaughters. Maybe one of them’s a better match. If they get along, let’s arrange something.”
Mr. Lacroix smiled. “My fifth grandson would pair well with your seventh granddaughter. But they’re just eighteen or nineteen—still too young. Let’s wait until they graduate and enter the real world.”
He really had his eye on the seventh child of the Lafond family—not the seventh lady, just the seventh among the siblings.
River couldn’t hear the two old men talking, but when he stepped inside and saw them laughing and smiling so warmly, he could guess what it was about.
Everyone in Eaglioncile knew Chairman Lafond worried about Romina’s marriage.