"It wasn't me. I had a friend arrange it," Adam said calmly.His tone wasn’t boastful—just honest—but that didn’t matter to the people around him.Brielle’s laughter came sharp and loud. "You really are something else," she spat. "You just say whatever you want now, huh? Do you even hear yourself? A friend? What kind of friend would pull strings for a nobody like you?"Her lips curled as if the very sight of him disgusted her."Exactly!" Belinda snapped, eyes narrowed. "You’re a nobody, Adam. You don’t have money, status, or even decency. But you never miss a chance to run that mouth and try to shine. It’s pathetic."Adam looked at her, unfazed."What I said is the truth," he repeated, voice steady.Belinda scoffed and turned away in disgust, as if his calmness offended her more than any argument could."Enough!" Eleanor hissed through clenched teeth. "Can you stop embarrassing us for one damn night?"Her voice wasn’t loud, but the weight of her anger was heavy.Belinda had already be

Adam knew the wine well.His mentor had brewed it.Only twelve bottles of Obsidian Noir had ever been released to the public, each one sealed in obsidian-black glass infused with gold streaks that shimmered faintly under light. The wine’s bouquet was unlike anything else—velvety, sharp, yet mysteriously sweet. It was said to soothe the nerves, invigorate the body, and even extend life if aged well.Collectors prized it more than art. They wouldn’t even sip it, fearing that one taste would ruin the restraint they’d built for years.But Adam?He’d grown up around that scent. The sharp tang of crushed midnight grapes, the mellow burn it left behind—he could pick it out in a crowd blindfolded."Yes, that's right," Ese said, watching his expression shift with a faint smile of pride. “My father bought it last year at the Bulldog Grand Auction. Two billion dollars.”Her voice softened. “He refused to open it. Said it was too sacred. But for you? He didn’t hesitate. He told me personally—this

Gerald’s face darkened instantly, his jaw tight with disdain. Richard crossed his arms, his expression stiff with suppressed mockery. Eleanor didn’t even bother to hide her sneer. Brielle’s words had clearly struck a chord—none of them thought Adam belonged in their world."Actions speak louder than words," Adam said calmly, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade. He looked up at the cluster of waitresses nearby. “Let me ask you something. Did your hotel brew this wine?”The women exchanged uncertain glances, then shook their heads one after another. One of them spoke up cautiously, “No, sir… we’ve never seen a wine like this before.”The room went still. Trent’s face turned a bright, ugly shade of red, like someone had just slapped him in front of a crowd. His jaw clenched. His fingers twitched against the table, as if he were restraining himself from lashing out.Adam turned to him, smile slow and cruel. “Mr. Iron, didn’t you just say this was brewed by the hotel? Funny

Belinda crossed her arms, eyes flicking to Adam with a smirk curling on her heavily painted lips. "Lower-class people will always think small," she said with dripping sarcasm. "So petty. You’re really out here asking for compensation for that bottle of trash wine? The meal alone could buy you a crate of whatever swill you brought."Laughter rippled through the group."Exactly," Brielle chimed in, her voice laced with scorn. "How thick-skinned do you have to be to demand money in front of everyone like this? You brought embarrassment to the table, and now you want a reward for it?"Adam’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes darkened a shade. He didn’t move, nor reacted, just stared at her like he was seeing straight through the glittery armor she wore.Even Eleanor slammed her wine glass down, red liquid sloshing against the sides. "Adam, shut up already! Haven’t you embarrassed us enough tonight?"Her tone cut sharper than the wine, and it was clear her patience had dried up.Tessa

“What kind of trash wine was that?” Belinda scoffed, her voice laced with disbelief and mockery. She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, sneering at Adam. “Two hundred million dollars? Are you insane? I’ve never heard of wine being that expensive in my entire life.”Brielle jumped in immediately, eager to pile on. “Exactly! The most expensive wines in the world—those vintage collector bottles—might sell for a few million at an auction. And even those are from historic estates. Your wine? Please. It’s not even worth a hundred bucks.”She tossed her hair and gave Adam a pitying look, as if speaking to a delusional fool.“Eighty dollars tops,” she continued, lips curled in disdain. “Mr. Iron is already humiliating himself by offering you two hundred grand. You should be grateful. Don’t be so greedy.”Their words crashed against Adam like pebbles thrown at a mountain. But yet he remained calm and controlled.But Tessa couldn’t hold it in anymore. Her voice cut through the risin