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?”

something this expensive!” James cried. His argument brought

could that vagrant have that much money?”

this brew, Dustin?” John

gave it to me,”

that? Even if they did, why would

stolen it!” James nodded vigorously,

quality wine, whether or not it was

steal this of all things,

prison for

a hold of

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

revealing it wasn’t, they find another accusation of him having stolen

no use explaining to them

now? I knew you stole this!” Florence

this just to look good in front of us!” James gasped, playing along.

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

and I know he didn’t steal this wine, so stop it!” Henry finally