Chapter 19
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Peter had been excited to watch the spectacle, but he never expected the person scho struck the tasting bell to be Edwina. His nerves tightened at once.
“Mr. Gibson Peter stammered, should I pull Edwina back?”
kelvin’s
sier was low and steady as he declined. “No ne
Peter pressed on, worried. “But she’s up against the Lennox family. They go way bark with the Hoffman family Abby definitely knows wine. If Edwina loses, you’re going to lose lace
Kelvin looked even more interested. A flicker of excitement flashed in his dark eyes. “It’s not your face on the line. you so worked up?
Why are
“And who says Edwina will lose? She’s a Lennox too, isn’t she?”
After Edwina joined the company and her name was known, Peter had looked into her background again. The file showed that Edwina was an adopted daughter of the Lennox family. She had already been cast out,
That was common knowledge across Grindel City. Other than that, there was nothing useful.
Peter muttered under his breath, “A kid who was never favored The Lennox family wouldn’t even send her to college. How could they ever teach her wine tasting?”
‘Mr. Gibson is way too lenient with Edwina, Peter thought.
The bell had already sounded. And the host of the party stepped onto the stage. It was Felix Hoffman, the heir of the Hoffman family and Willa’s father.
Felix spoke with excitement. “Since the Hoffmans started hosting wine tasting parties, no one has struck this bell for three
years.
With that, Felix invited Abby and Edwina onto the stage and coined. “Today, two ladies dared to ring it. Gentlemen, doesn’t that make you feel a little ashamed?”
Felix went on with a grin, “Let’s all join in and make it interesting with a small bet. Those betting on Abby, stand on the right.
“Those betting on. well, what’s your name?”
A mocking smile curved on Abby’s lips.
Edwina stayed calm and answered slowly, “Edwina.”
Feliz nodded and continued, “Alright. Those betting on Edwina ennox, stand on the left”
Before the betting even started, the right side was already packed. The left side was completely empty.
Abby glanced at Edwina. She still looked unbothered and composed. Abby steered inwardly. “You really know how to put out a show. Let’s see how long you can keep it up!
Then Abby spoke with feigned embarrassment. “Mr. Hoffman, maybe we shouldn’t do this betting thing. Edwina might feel
awkward.”
The words sounded considerate, but they only branded Edwinas small minded and out of place.
Felix looked at Edwina with clear displeasure. “The bet is already open. Getting hung up on little details just ruins the fun.”
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Chapter 19
Edwina gave a small nod and said nothing more. She waited quietly as people placed their bets
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Desmond. Abby’s fiance, naturally stood on the right. On top of at, the grudge from his broken hand last time was still fresh.
His arm was still wrapped in bandages under his suit. Even through the pain, Desmond wanted to see Edwina humiliated.
He deliberately raised the stakes to embarrass her. “I’m betting a million dollars, Desmond said.
The crowd gasped, then quickly echoed their praise.
Someone sighed. “That’s a bold move. Mr. Cole really dotes on Miss Lennox.”
Thank you, darling. On stage, Abby blew Desmond a kiss and shot Edwina a smug look.
Edwina, you’re nothing but trash under my feet. You were never meant to rise, Abby thought.
Others followed suit, all betting on Abb
Desmond provoked Edwina on purpose and turned to Felix. “Mi Hoffman, this bet is kind of boring, isn’t it? Everyone’s betting on Abby. There’s no real win or loss here.”
Well… Felix hesitated. He hadn’t expected things to turn out like this.
Edwina broke the stalemate with a steady voice. “If I lose, I’ll pay but one to one based on every bet”
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
“Did this girl lose her mind after getting kicked out of the Lennos family?”
“Just listen to her mouth. The Lennox parents were right to throw her out back then.
It was a bet that no one believed Edwina..
At that moment, a calm and firm voice came from the crowd. “everyone thinks the bet is dull and pointless, then let me add some excitement.”
Kelvin stepped forward and stood on the left, opposite everyone else. I’m betting 30 million dollars.”
The room exploded in shock.
Abby’s face twisted instantly, sharp and ugly. “Kelvin Gibson? He actually backing Edwina? How can he be connected to a village girl like her?
Win or lose, just the fact that Kelvin put down 30 million dollar had already given Edwina more attention than anyone else.
Everyone stared at Kelvin. Only Edwina frowned slightly. Confon flickered in her eyes.
Edwina thought, Trusting me? He’s got some nerve. He knows by understands wine, yet he still dares to bet 30 million dollars on me?
‘But I won’t lose to Abby. Even if I did, this money meant nothing to me. I can afford it
Desmond stood across from Kelvin. His 300 thousand dollars meant nothing compared to Kelvin’s stake.
He clenched his teeth. Money wasn’t a battle the Cole family cod fight against the Gibson family
Desmond sneered sarcastically. “Mr. Gibson really is generous. Aren’t you just handing money to everyone here?
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Chapter 19
“I say we all
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the stakes. That way, everyone can
more. With Mr. Gilson around, he’s rich enough to cover at ”
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The idea excited the crowd. Attending a wine party and making money sounded great.
To them, tens of thousands didn’t matter. What mattered was the the money came from Kelvin. That alone was worth bragging alot for a long time.
As others raised their bets under Desmond’s instigation, Kelviniled faintly and lifted two fingers, “60 million dollars”
Felix had never expected things to spiral this far. What he thought was a playful contest between two young women had turned into something massive.
Felix cheered. “Alright. Mr. Gibson is truly bold. Raising the bet om 30 million to 60 million dollars.”
Kelvin shook his head calmly, his tone unhurried. “Not raising ito 60 million. Adding another 60 million. I’m betting on Edwina to win. Total stake is 90 million dollars”
The crowd exploded into thunderous applause once again.
Felix grew even more excited. A bet on this scale at Hoffman Winery would become the biggest in all of Grindel City. The winery’s name would spread far and wide.
Abby dug her fingers deep into her palm until it nearly bled.
She glared at Edwina with venom. “You think having Kelvin Gibson back you up means you can beat me? Today, I’ll make both of you lose everything!
Down below, Peter grinned at Kelvin. “Mr. Gibson, are you serios about that 90 million dollars?
Kelvin nodded, his eyes never leaving Edwina,
Peter asked eagerly. Then I’ll place a bet too?”
“Go ahead.” Kelvin nodded casually and watched as Peter happily took two months of his salary and ran to stand on the left
side.
A faint smile lifted the corner of Kelvin’s mouth. He gently rubbed the rosary around his wrist.
Everyone knew Kelvin was bold and decisive. People said that since he took over the Gibson family, luck had always been on his side and every deal brought huge profits.
In truth, luck had never favored Kelvin. He simply never fought battle which couldn’t win.
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AD
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