Chapter 175

Evelyn Roland traced the rim of her wineglass with slender fingers, her gaze deliberately avoiding Tyler Macmillan.

"This vintage completed its final fermentation at precisely 2 AM." She inhaled the bouquet. "A blend of Colorado Blue Grapes, Amethyst Grapes from the Western Ridge, and Moonlight Whites from the Southern Valley."

Every word was measured to chilling precision.

Tyler's knuckles whitened, his face turning ashen.

"Impossible!" He slammed the table. "Not even Bianca Savigny could achieve this. How could you?"

Henry Laurent frowned, about to interject, when murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"Rumor has it Mr. Laurent is still single..."

"Such a stunning young woman..."

Sebastian Valdemar's eyes darkened dangerously. Just as he stepped forward, commotion erupted at the entrance.

"It's Bianca Savigny!"

A twin-tailed girl bounded through the gathering, her denim overalls swaying with each lively step.

"Evelyn!" She threw her arms around Evelyn's sleeve. "Are these people giving you trouble?"

Beads of sweat formed on Tyler's forehead.

Bianca spun to face the crowd, her expression uncharacteristically stern. "The technique I used to win the International Wine Tasting Championship? Evelyn taught me."

The room fell deathly silent.

"No way..." Tyler staggered back. "She couldn't possibly..."

Bianca smirked. "My mentor could identify the oak barrel origin of an '82 Lafite at thirteen. What makes you think you're qualified to question her?"

The man who'd earlier supported Tyler turned pale, his lips trembling uncontrollably.

Leaning against the bar, Sebastian allowed a faint smile to flicker in his eyes.