An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Chapter 33

“You must be kidding, right, Dad? This can’t be aged wine!” James‘ eyes were wide as dinner plates.

“Look at how yellowish it looks, though. It must be fake!” Florence accused.

“You guys must not have seen brews like this before. Aged craft brews get this color, and it only darkens the longer it’s been aging. Every wine connoisseur knows this.”

The looks on everyone’s faces quickly changed. Their accusations had just been dampened significantly, not by just anyone but by John Nicholson himself, a well- known wine enthusiast. His judgment couldn’t be wrong.

“I was blessed to be able to try such a fine wine years ago with a government official, but this brew right here must be finer than the one I had that body and finish tell me it must’ve been aged for at least 50 years!” John smacked his lips, still enjoying the brew’s aftertaste. ?

“How much would it cost on the market?” James asked curiously.

“It’s priceless. You couldn’t find a willing seller even if you offered a city’s worth. But if we judge based on recent wine auction values, it should cost at least two million dollars,”

“Two million?!” Everyone gasped. They’ve never even heard of wine that costs this much! Chris‘ Grand Cru was nothing compared to that!

“N–no way!” Florence refused to believe it. “Are you sure about this, John? How could Dustin be able to afford this?”

He can’t even afford a nice pair of pants, not to mention something this expensive!” James cried. His argument brought forth the table’s resounding agreement.

point. How could that vagrant have that much money?”

did you get this brew, Dustin?”

it to me,” he

Even if they did, why would

James nodded vigorously, finding a new accusation

sort of quality wine, whether or not

steal this of all things, Dustin? Do

to spend in prison for theft?” Chris

a hold of something not even

doesn’t matter to me. I didn’t steal it, and that’s enough for me,”

wasn’t, they find another accusation of him having stolen it. Next, they would just say he blackmailed Natasha

use explaining to them further.

your excuse now? I knew you stole

I can’t believe you stole this just to look good in front

only, so you guys don’t have to drink any if you don’t want to!” Dustin rolled his eyes. He had had enough

heart, and I know he didn’t