Chapter 154 Wine, Partne
Chapter 154: Wine, Partnerships, and Hidden Cameras
Chapter 154: Wine, Partnerships, and Hidden Cameras
(Olivia’s POV)
At the upscale French restaurant, Adrian Sinclair gracefully cut his venison steak with practiced precision The silver knife glided through the tender meat effortlessly.
I ordered a bottle of Domaine de la Romanée–Conti Grand Cru red wine, worth a small fortune. A well–dressed
waiter approached to properly decant the expensive vintage.
The rich burgundy liquid caught the restaurant’s ambient lighting as he performed the ritual with reverence befitting such a rare bottle. The deep crimson swirled in the crystal decanter like liquid silk.
Adrian watched the ceremony with appreciation. “Even if we win the Moonstone Industries case, the legal fees are only $200,000, while your bottle of wine costs $180,000. That seems like a losing proposition for our firm’s budget.”
I gently swirled my wine glass, my amber eyes sparkling with amusement. “No, I never make losing deals. Adrian waited expectantly for my explanation, his gold–rimmed glasses catching the light. “Please enlighten
me then.”
“The revenue that Attorney Sinclair brings to Moonstone Legal Partners in a year is more than ten times the price of this bottle of wine.”
Adrian chuckled warmly. “I thought Attorney Winters was simply being generous, but I didn’t expect you to be such a shrewd businesswoman.”
“Of course–take a look at whose daughter I am,” I responded with pride. After all, who could be better at business than Richard Winters of the Winters pack?
The meal progressed pleasantly, with Adrian offering many actionable legal strategies and courtroom tactics for our upcoming case. I diligently took notes, appreciating his insights from years of supernatural law
practice.
His analytical mind impressed me. Every suggestion was practical and well–reasoned.
As we finished our dinner, I signaled to the waiter to bring the check. However, the waiter politely informed me that the gentleman had already settled the bill.
I paused, looking up at Adrian with surprise. “We agreed that this was my treat?”
Adrian smiled charmingly. “It’s not my style to let a lady pay, especially my business partner.”
I pouted slightly. “An $180,000 wine, $20,000 in dishes–Attorney Sinclair hasn’t even earned much at Moonstone yet and already spent $200,000. Isn’t that a losing deal?”
“Like you, I never make losing deals,” Adrian’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Attorney Winters has such excellent connections and pack/resources; following your lead, I won’t have to worry about finding clients. I’m waiting for you to bring me major cases from the elite werewolf families.”
“Alright,” I replied, placing my credit card back into my designer handbag. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony,”
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Chapter 154 Wine, Parthe
As I put away my card and prepared to leave, a sophisticated woman approached our table. Her eve widened in pleasant surprise.
“Adrian?” The woman sported a neat chestnut bob, expertly applied makeup, and maintained a youthful appearance despite being in her forties. “It really is you!”
Adrian was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected encounter. “Aunt Linda?”
Linda turned her attention to me with obvious curiosity. “And who is this lovely young woman?”
“This is my business partner I mentioned to you, Olivia Winters,” Adrian explained, introducing me properly.” Attorney Winters, this is my aunt, Linda Morrison.”
“Hello, Mrs. Morrison,” I greeted with a polite smile and respectful nod.
“Please, call me Linda,” she responded, unable to suppress her delighted grin. “You only told me that Attorney Winters is a highly capable lawyer, not that she’s such a beauty. No wonder you’ve been so enthusiastic about this partnership lately.”
Adrian’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment. “Aunt Linda…”
“Attorney Winters, do you have a mate yet?” Linda asked with the directness typical of older werewolf women when assessing potential matches.
I was taken aback by the forward question–this was quite bold, even by pack standards. “Aunt!” Adrian quickly interrupted, his ears turning a suspicious shade of red.
“Sorry, Attorney Winters, my aunt is what you might call a ‘social terrorist‘–please don’t mind her directness,” Adrian hastily explained, clearly mortified by his relative’s behavior.
I smiled graciously and shook my head. “It’s perfectly alright, Mrs. Morrison. I understand pack elders‘ concerns about ensuring good matches.”
Linda winked conspiratorially at Adrian, whispering in a voice that wasn’t quite as quiet as she intended. “I think this young woman would be perfect for you. It’s rare to see you showing genuine interest in anyone- you’d better not let this opportunity slip away!”
Although her voice was lowered, my enhanced werewolf hearing picked up every word. I awkwardly looked away, pretending not to have overheard the matchmaking attempt.
Adrian rubbed his temples in exasperation. “Aunt Linda, please don’t interfere in my personal life.”
“How can I not worry about my favorite nephew? You don’t realize that when you showed no interest in finding a mate for years, your mother and I thought you might prefer males. We were so anxious but didn’t dare ask you directly…”
Before Linda could finish her embarrassing revelation, Adrian covered her mouth with his hand. “You’re becoming more outrageous by the minute.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the family dynamic playing out before me.
Linda quickly composed herself. “Well, Attorney Winters, rest assured that Adrian’s preferences are perfectly normal for an unmated wolf. I have somewhere else to be–you two enjoy the rest of your evening.”
I responded politely. “Of course, have a good evening, Mrs. Morrison.”
“Goodbye, future niece–in–law!” Linda called out with a mischievous smile before departing.
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Chapter 154 Wate Partne
I was rendered speechless by the bold assumption.
After Linda left, Adrian said apologetically. “I’m so sorry, Attorney Winters. My aunt just loves to medales speak without thinking. Please don’t take her comments to heart.”
Mt’s perfectly alright,” I said with genuine amusement. “I didn’t expect Attorney Sinclair to be under family pressure to find a mate. I assumed someone as accomplished as you would already have a girlfriend or even a fiancée.”
Hearing this, Adrian suddenly glanced meaningfully at me, then quickly looked away. His expression became
more serious.
“I’m… waiting for the right person.”
“Oh,” I didn’t understand at first, then realized the deeper implication of his words. “I see”
The atmosphere became slightly charged with unspoken meaning.
“It’s getting late–let me drive you home,” Adrian said, standing and reaching for his coat.
“No need,” I replied, also rising from my seat. “I brought my own car.”
“You had wine,” Adrian reminded me with concern, knowing that even werewolves should be cautious about driving after drinking.
“Oh, you’re right,” I acknowledged. “But there’s no need to trouble you. I’ll call for a pack driver to pick me up.” I was planning to visit Grace at the Winters Family Estate tonight anyway to check on my sister’s recovery. “That works perfectly,” Adrian agreed, though there was a hint of disappointment in his voice.
(Third Person’s POV)
At a remote villa on the outskirts of Harbor City, Ethan Grey angrily confronted Vanessa Reed. His voice rose
with fury.
“You want to use me to eliminate Olivia? You know that Frederick Warner threatened to kill her if I contacted the pack authorities, and you still told me to alert them!”
Vanessa’s violet eyes gleamed with cold satisfactio
would die!”
as she smiled cruelly. “So what? I wish Olivia Winters
“Vanessa!” Ethan roared, veins bulging on his forehead as his wolf pushed against his control. “You only said you wanted to break up Olivia and Connor, not that you intended to murder her!”
“That was before,” Vanessa’s expression filled with vicious mockery. “Now I just want her dead. Only if she dies will Connor finally notice me and see that I’m the one who truly loves him.”
“You’ve lost your mind!” Ethan declared, his chest heaving with rage as he attempted to lunge at her.
However, Trevor Blake, Vanessa’s loyal bodyguard, swiftly blocked his path with his imposing frame. “Ethan Grey, look at your pathetic/self. What are you even good for? No wonder Olivia Winters wanted nothing to do with you,” Vanessa said with contempt dripping from every word. “Olivia didn’t even spare you a second glance after your breakup. You’re completely useless to me now. Our partnership ends here.”
Ethan’s eyes flashed dangerously as he threatened. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Connor everything you’ve done? About how you’ve been manipulating situations from behind the scenes?”
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“Hahahaha… Vanessa burst into maniacal laughter, the sound echoing through the villa bid th correctly? You’re threatening me?”
Her amusement was genuine and chilling.
“Don’t forget who’s backing me now,” Vanessa continued, her confidence bolstered by Frederick Warners support. “For Frederick, I’m far more valuable than you could ever be. Tell me, if Connor expels me from the Rivers family after learning what I’ve done, and I lose my pack status, do you really think Frederick will let you live? You know too much about his operations now.”
At the mention of Frederick Warner’s name, genuine fear flashed in Ethan’s eyes. This was the same dangerous exile who dared to use military–grade weapons to hunt Connor in broad daylight!
Connor survived Frederick’s assassination attempts, but Ethan knew he wouldn’t stand a chance. He was just an ordinary wealthy heir, a former playboy who only recently began taking pack responsibilities seriously. Unlike Connor, he didn’t have his own trained security force or professional enforcers. If Frederick Warner truly targeted him, Ethan would have no chance of survival.
With that sobering realization, Ethan bit back his anger, forced to submit to the threat. The partnership between Vanessa and Ethan dissolved in mutual betrayal and fear.
Neither of them noticed the sophisticated surveillance camera hidden among the branches outside the villa, silently recording their entire conversation for Connor Rivers‘ intelligence network.
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