Chapter 4 Château Lafite Rothschild

A soft sound echoed as Dominik slid the card to open the gate. Nestled atop Skytop Hill, this mansion was famously known as Skytop Mansion.

"This guy sure knows how to live it up. Well, since he gave me this place, I'll go easy on him when I return to Phantom Prison," Dominik mused with a satisfied expression.

Archie Reid, known as Night Lord, had earned immense respect in the underground world of Sruburgh. After his retirement from the military, he assembled a sizable team to discreetly protect the nation.

However, an unforeseen turn of events led to Archie's descent into madness. Amidst his ruthless onslaught against enemies, he turned his blade on his comrades. Eventually, a top Sruburgh warrior intervened. He captured the deranged Archie and sent him to Phantom Prison.

Archie, a legend and myth, was both revered and pitied by many.

Now, Dominik found himself the proud owner of this enigmatic villa, valued at an astonishing two billion dollars.

"Dominik, Ruby left you all alone at City Hall! No worries, I've scolded her. We're getting ready for dinner. Share your address, and I'll send the driver to pick you up."

Before Dominik could complete his exploration of the villa, he got a call from Aydan, which warmed his heart.

In the background, he caught a disdainful snort from Ruby.

Choosing not to accept Aydan's offer of a driver, Dominik opted for Volkswagen Phaeton, the most inconspicuous one, in the garage and headed toward the Harper family's house.

The Volkswagen Phaeton helped him keep a low profile. To those not into cars, it looked like a modest Passat valued at about sixteen thousand dollars.

As Sylvia parked the car at the entrance of her mansion, she caught sight of a Volkswagen Phaeton descending from Skytop Hill, zooming past her.

"What? Dominik?" Sylvia exclaimed, taken aback.

"Who is it, Miss Hewitt?" Trudy inquired.

Sylvia hesitated and then responded, "I think I saw Dominik coming down from Skytop Mansion."

Trudy chuckled and shook her head. "Capturing Dreadlord must've really drained you; you're seeing things! Dominik, just a prison guard, affording Skytop Mansion? When even you tried to buy it through connections, it fell through. I think stress from overwork and canceling the engagement are playing tricks on your mind."

Sylvia smiled and agreed, thinking Trudy might be onto something. How could Dominik, a second-level prison guard, afford such a place?

Even with her general rank, she couldn't secure it.

Seated at the Harper family's dining table, Dominik noticed a plate of braised beef with red wine. A fragrant scent of alcohol emanated from it.

Dominik was stunned. Could it be that the two bottles of Château Lafite Rothschild 1985 he brought had been used to braise beef?

"This wine is clearly fake! This plate of braised beef with red wine might be inedible," Phyllis whined discontentedly. "Your chosen son-in-law is really something. He brought fake alcohol on his first visit."

Ruby also wore a disdainful look and remarked, "Just throw it away. Not worth the risk of a stomachache."

Aydan, feeling embarrassed, defended Dominik. "Dominik wouldn't do that. Maybe he got tricked by someone. Let's keep this dish. If you don't want it, I will eat it."

Phyllis frowned and said, "Jimmie will be here shortly. Is it appropriate to serve this to him?"

Just then, hearty laughter filled the room as a man around Aydan's age entered.

"Dominik, meet my old friend, Jimmie Hudson. If he's in a good mood, he might gift you some of his calligraphy and paintings." Aydan shared with a smile as he introduced Jimmie to Dominik.

Jimmie was a highly regarded calligrapher in Sruburgh.

Dominik greeted Jimmie politely. Just as Phyllis moved to take away the plate of braised beef with red wine, Jimmie interrupted, "Hold on! Isn't the braised beef with red wine your specialty, Phyllis? Are you refusing to treat me?"

Phyllis quickly smiled and responded, "Jimmie, it's not like that! There is something wrong with the alcohol used in the beef. It's fake wine brought by Aydan's son-in-law. I'm worried it might upset our stomachs..."

Jimmie sniffed, and his demeanor changed suddenly. He immediately pressed the plate in Phyllis' hand onto the table.

"Hold on, you mentioned this is fake wine?" Jimmie was shocked. Tossing aside all manners, he grabbed the fork, selected a piece of beef, and ate it.

Phyllis couldn't help but yell, "Jimmie, spit it out fast... What if you get a stomachache? If you want, I can make you another dish!"

But Jimmie, wearing a contented look, said slowly, "Rich and smooth, velvety with a lingering taste... This is an uncommon fine wine. It's most likely the flavor exclusive to Château Lafite Rothschild 1985!"

Upon hearing this, the entire Harper family froze in their tracks.

"Such a waste! Aydan, did you guys stumble upon a gold mine or something? Weren't you grappling with Umbra Alliance's 20 million debt to you? How come you're using Château Lafite Rothschild 1985 in such a manner?" Jimmie was so agitated that he stomped his foot, even his beard quivered.

Phyllis exclaimed, "Château Lafite Rothschild 1985, Jimmie, are you certain?"

"Of course I am certain! The last time I had such quality of wine was three years ago at the official cultural exchange event in Frutshire. The taste is extraordinary!"

Expressing disbelief, Jimmie added, "I never imagined you'd lavish this premium Château Lafite Rothschild like this. Oh, it truly pains me! If you guys aren't keen on it, you can hand it over to me!"

Jimmie was frustrated. Using Château Lafite Rothschild 1985 for braising beef was undeniably wasteful.

Phyllis and Ruby wore awkward smiles, uncertain of what to say.

"He's just a prison guard; how could he lay hands on such precious wine? He must have clandestinely taken these two bottles of Château Lafite Rothschild from the Gilbert family when he was ousted... Humph!" Ruby sneered, also feeling that it was somewhat wasted.

Aydan laughed heartily and remarked, "I warned you not to jump to conclusions. How could Dominik deceive me with fake wine?"

Jimmie shook his head repeatedly and muttered, "What a fine wine..."

After three rounds of drinks, Aydan extended an invitation to Dominik to join the Harper Group.

Dominik graciously refused with a smile.

Seeing this, Ruby couldn't resist sneering. Was he deliberately feigning some insignificant sense of dignity? How absurd!

In the evening, Ruby engaged in a lengthy video call with her best friend, Olivia Sutton, venting about the day's events.

Equally vexed, Olivia remarked, "A mere prison guard has the audacity to be your husband? Kristian has been going after you all this while. Ruby, don't worry. Tomorrow, I'll find a way for Dominik to embarrass himself. He won't have the courage to face people again, and chances are, he won't bother you anymore."