Chapter 12: You Are Arrogant
On hearing Edmund say with certainty, Greta was anxious. She glared at Maxwell with anger and worry.
This useless man kept causing trouble.
Greta secretly tugged at Maxwell's clothes, signaling him to stop arguing with Edmund. If he continued, he would only embarrass himself!
Compared with Maxwell's words, Greta believed what Edmund had said. If Maxwell was capable, he would not choose to be a live-in son-in-law, being laughed at by many people!
Curling his lips in disdain, Edmund looked at Greta and said in a regretful tone, "Greta, I'm very sorry for you for marrying such a man. Even if he lives with your family, he should watch his manner. Who the hel does he think he is?"
In order to ease the atmosphere, Danika, who hadn't spoken for a long time, said, "It's just a bottle of red wine. There's no need to argue about it. Don't let it affect our harmonious relations. Let's eat." Crossing his arms, Edmund looked at Maxwell with a cold smile. "It is not just a matter of a bottle of red wine. He wants to push himself forward. He doesn't even know how to appreciate red wine, but he dares to teach me about it."
"This is absurd." Suddenly, a mysterious smile lifted the corner of Maxwell's mouth. He looked at Edmund and slowly said, "Do you really ... know red wine?"
Maxwell's eyes were fixed on Edmund. His deep gaze pierced through Edmund, like a sharp sword.... Edmund trembled and stiffened!
At that moment, Edmund had an illusion that he was being targeted by a peerless vicious beast!
With a cold expression, Edmund stared at Maxwell, who seemed to see him through.
Edmund was afraid of being found out that he was just an amateur. In fact, he knew little of wine....
Looking at Edmund, Maxwell said, "The Lafite of 1982 is indeed the best wine in the world, famous for its excellent taste. However, the Lafite of 1993 has a similar taste. A master will even feel confused. You passed the Lafite made in 1993 off as the one of 1982. Are you worthy to be a member of upper class?"
Maxwell's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to be heard clearly by everyone present. Greta's expression changed slightly, while Derrick was pondering.
"Rafite made in 1993? Are you insulting me? If what you have said is true, on no account will I present it to Mr. Derrick." Edmund was shocked for a moment, and then he put on a cold smile. This was a humiliation to him!
"Among the Lafite, the one of 1982 is the best. It tastes rich and fruity. Although Lafite of 1993 is of high quality, it is not as sweet as the one of 1982. On the whole, it is a little sour. This abominable wine was made in 1993. Someone from upper class wants to fool laymen," Maxwell said in a calm and indifferent tone, as if he were stating an indisputable fact.
Edmund sneered. "You are still acting. If it weren't for Mr. Derrick, I would have exposed you as a rude bumpkin."
Greta frowned, turning to look at Maxwell. "Wine needs to be tasted slowly. Just now, you drank so quickly. How could you tell that it was made in1983?"
Maxwell smiled faintly without explaining. He drank the wine as if it were boiled water, because he had already judged the age of the wine when he smelled the rich fragrance emitted from this glass of red wine He was too familiar with Lafite. When he was in France, he had been in low spirits for a period of time. At that time, he drank a lot of Lafite produced in 1982. He even once used it to bathe when he was drunk! Maxwell was more familiar with the fragrance emitted by Lafite of 1982 than anyone present.... Therefore, he confirmed that this was not Lafite of that year!
Maxwell looked at Derrick, saying, "If I remember correctly, every Michelin 3-star chef is extremely proficient in telling ingredients and has high attainments in wine evaluation. Why not ask them to have a try? It will be easier for them to tell whether it is Lafite of 1982 or not."
"This..." Greta's eyebrows knitted tightly as she stared at Maxwell. She did not understand what Maxwell was going to do.
It was enough, but he insisted on figuring out the result. Greta was very sure that this was Lafite made in 1982. Other Lafite didn't have such a delicate and rich taste. He was asking trouble for himself, wasn't he?
Once the result was revealed, how could he wind this matter up?
"Alright, I'll let you know that you have overestimated yourself!" Edmund agreed immediately, afraid that Maxwell would quit.
Edmund was well convinced that these two bottles of red wine were made in 1982. He spent a lot of money to airlift them over from France. Today, he was determined to disgrace this lowly man. He also wanted to tell Greta what she would get after marrying such a useless man.
There was an atmosphere of great tension in the room, where silence prevailed. After a moment, Derrick nodded. "Since that's the case, then send some to the kitchen. We can take this opportunity to enrich our experience."
Very quickly, a few empty wine glasses were taken out from the kitchen. A servant whispered by Derrick's ear.
After hearing this, Derrick chuckled and said, "Alright, the result isn't important. Hurry up and eat."
Maxwell nodded. "Yes, it's of no benefit to you to know the result. Otherwise, someone may leave in discord."
"No, Mr. Derrick, it's better to announce the result so that someone will know that he is a person with a limited outlook." Edmund suddenly interrupted, adopting an intransigent tone.
After giving Edmund a meaningful look, Derrick slowly said, "Edmund, do you really want to know the result?"
"Of course." Edmund smiled confidently. His eyes fell on Maxwell. "Some arrogant bumpkin doesn't know how to drink red wine. After reading a few books, he starts to pretend to be a man with high social status. But he fails to know that he cannot change his humble birth!"
Derrick sighed, looking at Edmund meaningfully. "Edmund, those three-star Michelin chefs have drunk the wine. They all said that this is the Lafite of 1993." What a shocking result!
On hearing Derrick's words, all the people present fell into silence.
The sinister smile on Edmund's face suddenly froze, and his expression changed. He retorted in disbelief, "This is impossible! This can't be the Lafite of 1993!"
"Chefs reached such an agreement." Derrick glanced at Maxwell, surprise flashing in the depths of his eyes.
Greta's face had tightened as she turned to look at Maxwell in disbelief.
"The raw materials of Lafite made in 1982 are of high quality. In that year, the drought led to a decline in production, but it increased sugar content. That was why only a limited amount of wine was produced in that year, but they were of top quality. Although the wine made in 1993 is good, they are far inferior to those of 1982. After all, there is a gap of more than ten years between these two kinds of Lafite!"
Right at this moment, a voice could be heard by everyone. Maxwell said calmly, "Every citizen from France is familiar with this history. Don't you know?"
"It's impossible!" On hearing Derrick's words, Edmund blushed with embarrassment. He spent quite a lot money and tried to win Derrick's favor, so that he could get close to Greta again. However, he didn't expect that this punk would unmask him!
"You don't believe me, do you? If you can speak the language of France, you should know that it clearly says that this wine was made in 1993. This is common sense. You have been fooled." Edmund grabbed the Lafite and began to examine it carefully, finding that a small number was written on the bottle. However, few people would care about such a well-known detail. Maxwell sighed, "So, you are right. People should learn what they don't understand. But if he pretends to understand it, he will humiliate himself. So why bother?"
Maxwell's words disgraced Edmund, who flushed with shame. He wished he could immediately disappear!
"Mr. Derrick, I still have something to do. Let's keep in touch." Edmund gritted his teeth and suddenly stood up, rushing out of the villa.
After Edmund left, Greta stared at Maxwell, both satisfied and curious about Maxwell's performance just now.
In her opinion, Maxwell was just a useless man. However, she did not expect that he was able to talk so much about Lafite of 1982 clearly and logically.
Just now, Maxwell didn't look like a lazy gangster at all. Greta thought he was graceful, like a gentleman.
Greta still didn't understand what Maxwell said just now was true or not. She had a feeling that he didn't lie.
Derrick suddenly asked while looking at Maxwell with a little chuckle, "Do you understand the language of France?" Maxwell replied calmly, "I know a little."
"As far as I know, few people in China knew such a minority language. Do you know a lot about red wine?"
A deep curiosity flashed through Derrick's eyes. He tried to sound Maxwell out. At the dinner party, Maxwell's performance surprised him. As a tycoon of the Ocean City, he couldn't help but want to find out the truth.
"I once worked in a hotel near Lafite Vineyard in France with my friends, so I know some common sense about Lafite. I argued with Edmund, because I hate him. How dare he insult my wife? So, I made up something."
Derrick nodded thoughtfully. Greta blushed and gently kicked Maxwell under the table.
Greta felt that Maxwell wasn't as annoying as before, not knowing if it was because Maxwell disgraced Edmund, who made her sick.
Derrick nodded and stopped asking Maxwell. "I'm relieved that you care so much about Greta."
"Dad!" Greta's color changed as she shouted coquettishly.
Derrick snubbed Greta, enthusiastically saying to Maxwell, "Maxwell, you and my daughter have married for several months. Don't be reserved. You should call me in a different way now." Maxwell immediately understood. He chuckled and respectfully called, "Dad."
Derrick nodded. "Yes. Let's eat."
Derrick placed a piece of black pepper beef in Maxwell's bowl, while Greta was bending over the dining table dejectedly, glaring at Maxwell, as if this fellow were her enemy. Maxwell ignored Greta's cold and murderous gaze, trying his best to win Derrick's favor.... Derrick was his father-in-law. Thus, Maxwell thought he needed to do it.
After the banquet, the family sat in the living room, watching TV on a spacious and luxurious oversized sofa.
Maxwell politely peeled apples for Greta's parents, while Greta, who was beside him, was watching TV angrily, for she had to abort her plan.
"Maxwell, I heard that Greta was attacked by an assassin today." Derrick suddenly remembered and asked.
"Yes, but Greta was not in danger...." No sooner did Maxwell speak did Greta interrupted him. "Nothing! It's a rumor!"
"Greta, don't interrupt Maxwell." Derrick glanced at Greta, who then glared at Maxwell, signaling him not to speak nonsense.
"Dad, don't worry. I am willing to risk my life to protect Greta." As soon as Maxwell finished, Greta snorted coldly, rushing into the bedroom in sandals. Greta felt that Maxwell was the thickest-skinned person in the whole world. He left her when she was in danger, but he took all the credit. Maxwell followed closely behind Greta. Having pushed the door open and entered the bedroom, he saw Greta leave her back to him. "Greta...." Just as Maxwell was about to reach out his hand, Greta suddenly grabbed his arm and turned around, throwing him overarm. Maxwell fell on the ground.
No one would have imagined that Maxwell, the famous and terrifying Dragon Lord, who won his reputation by surviving fierce battles, would fall to the ground in such a sorry state....☐☐☐☐☐