Chapter 22
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone gasped in surprisi
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People wondered. The ordinary Lennox family had been lifelong friends with the prestigious Hoffman Winery, and it had all been because of a village girl who had already been driven out of the Lennox household?
The curious eyes of the onlookers shifted, one after another, landing on Beatrice and Benedict.)
Kameron was visibly overwhelmed with emotion. He said, “I never imagined that Edwina was the Muse I had been searching for all these years. You suffered in the Lennox family.”
His tone suddenly turned cold and sharp. “Since Muse no longer has any ties with the Lennox family, starting today. Hoffman Winery will sever all relations with them.
“From this moment on, there will be no contact, ever again.”
Benedict and Beatrice felt their hearts drop. The Lennox family influence in Grindel City was only mid–tier at best.
Their invitation to this party existed solely because of their longstanding connection with the Hoffman family.
But now, everything was over.
On stage, Abby felt utterly humiliated. She clenched her teeth and shouted, “No. Muse, winemaking secrets, all of this is fake. You made it up to cover today’s betting mess.”
“Enough,” Felix finally snapped. “The Hoffman family has stood for generations. Do you really think my father stayed out of public view for all these years just to fabricate lies over a few million dollars?”
Felix added, “Lennox family, don’t push your luck. Felix values peace, but Hoffman Winery is not a place you can slander without consequences.”
Abby was terrified. Her voice trembled as she looked toward the crowd. “Dad, Mom.”
At that point, the wine tasting contest had completely destroyed any chance of reconciliation between the Lennox and the Hoffman family.
Benedict forced himself to speak, turning to Kameron. “You said Edwina guided you in winemaking years ago. That’s absurd. She was just a child back then.”
“That’s right,” Kameron answered firmly, his voice ringing through the hall. “Do you know why she is called the Muse?
“At thirteen, she already mastered wine tasting and winemaking She even developed multiple new wine varieties. If that isn’t a Muse, then what is?”
Kameron rolled his wheelchair forward and positioned himself rectly in front of Edwina. He declared, “As long as I am here, no one gets to insult her.
“She is the benefactor of the Hoffman family. The entire Hotfm lineage stands at her command.”
No one would risk a lifetime reputation to lie to a nobody.
With Kameron personally stepping forward, the crowd was convinced. Edwins truly understood wine and winemaking. She was a rare prodigy.
Standing at the center of attention, Edwina seemed detached from everything around her. She simply patted Kameron on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down and not strain himsel
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Chapter 22
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If Abby hadn’t kept pushing, and if Kameron hadn’t appeared suddenly. Edwina never intended to reveal her connection with the Hoffman family.
After all, becoming the focus of Grindel City had never been he coal.
The murmurs in the hall grew louder.
Kelvin walked forward at an easy pace, taking two steps ahead to bring the matter to a close. “Everyone, if anyone still doubts this, feel free to step up and compete with Edwina”
Not a single person in the audience dared to respond.
When Edwina had calmly described the flavor profiles and even the regions of origin for each of the five wines, they were already convinced.
That kind of scattered and detailed knowledge was impossible te fake, even by memorization.
Someone finally spoke up. “No need, Mr. Gibson. We were blind. We lost, and we accept it.”
Even if they weren’t convinced, nobody dared to go up against Edwina now.
Kelvin had wagered 90 million dollars on her. And Kameron stood firmly behind her. Only someone seeking disaster would step forward now.
The crowd settled their bets and slowly dispersed. Finally, the face came to an end.
Felix stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Muse, I was rude earlier. Please forgive me.”
Kameron slammed his cane against the floor. “You fool. Go to the ancestral hall and reflect. Three days. Don’t come out before that. Seeing you irritates me.”
“Yes, Father,” Felix replied humbly, then hesitated. “But can you still see?”
Willa dragged Abby down from the stage. She yanked the bracelet Abby had given her off her wrist and smashed it onto the floor
Willa shouted, “Liar. Nothing but lies. From this day on, I will never have anything to do with you or your family again.”
Felix waved his sleeve impatiently and summoned security. “Show them out.”
The three members of the Lennox family were driven out of the winery in disgrace.
Outside the estate, guests who had not yet left whispered among themselves. They all wondered whether Benedict and Beatrice would regret their choices. If Edwina hadn’t been cast out, the Lennox family would now be honored guests of Hoffman Winery.
Beatrice caught the whispers, fuming inside, but powerless to cinge a thing.
Beatrice did regret it. She regretted driving Edwina out so early At the very least, she should have investigated first instead. of wasting someone so valuable.
Willa apologized to Edwina for her earlier behavior.
Edwina didn’t take it to heart. Ten glasses of red wine were enough to make even her feel light headed.
Kelvin reached out to support her, but Edwina sidestepped him I can walk on my own
Kelvin didn’t argue. He just stepped back a bit, but stayed close, watching over her the whole time.
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