Low-Key Heir Gets Dumped

Staring at the ornate carved door ahead, Dolly asked curiously, "What's this place?"

Her voice caught the others' attention. When they learned it was the wine cellar, excitement rippled through the group, and they clamored to go inside.

My heart tightened. That cellar held my sister's collection—rare wines she'd acquired from auctions all over the world. Alarmed, I stepped forward to stop them.

But Steven was already keying in the code. With a soft click, the heavy door swung open.

Three towering walls of wine came into view, arranged meticulously by vintage. Beside them, a marble tasting counter gleamed, lined with crystal decanters and fine wine glasses.

"Damn, Steven, you're too modest. You called this 'not big'? This cellar is massive!"

"Look at all these bottles. Every single one must cost a fortune!"

"Of course! Would Steven stock cheap wine? Think we'll be lucky enough to taste one?"

Dolly's eyes glittered with delight.

"Steven, you're incredible. So many rare wines… not like some people, who only know how to hoard junk."

Her sneer flicked toward me at the back of the group.

Steven waved his hand with practiced ease. "This is only part of my collection. Feel free to look around. But be careful. Don't drop anything."

My expression darkened.

Aside from my sister, I was the only one who knew that code. How did he?

Had I been wrong? Was Steven truly a close friend of hers—trusted enough to be lent the estate?

I pulled out my phone, typing a quick message to my sister.

At that moment, Dolly lifted a bottle from the rack.

"Steven, this label looks a little yellowed. Is it expensive?"

Steven glanced at it, paused, then replied casually, "Not really. That one's just a few thousand."

I caught sight of the bottle in her hand and nearly bit my tongue in shock.

Few thousand, my ass.

That was the collector's vintage my sister had spent five million on at an auction last year.

Dolly weighed the bottle carelessly, pouting. "Looks like it's almost expired. Why don't we just toss it later?"

"There are staff who maintain everything here," Steven reassured her. "No need to trouble yourself."

I barely heard them, my attention locked on her reckless hands. She tossed the bottle lightly from palm to palm, utterly oblivious.

I couldn't hold back anymore.

"Put the bottle down. That wine is priceless. There are only three left in the world."

The words froze everyone in place.

Steven's smile faltered.

"Well, well. Didn't think you knew anything about wine, Justin."

Dolly clicked her tongue impatiently. "Steven's trying to show you some class, and you can't stop running your mouth."

Without even looking, she shoved the bottle toward the rack.

Crash!

The bottle hit the floor, shattering into glittering shards. The heady fragrance of rare wine filled the cellar, thick and intoxicating.

My temples pounded, breath catching in my throat.

Gasps rippled through the group.

Dolly blinked, then looked at Steven.

"Steven, this one really wasn't expensive, right? It doesn't matter if it broke?"

Steven waved a dismissive hand. "It's fine."

Relieved, she leaned into him, eyes glistening as she cooed, "You're so good to me."

I let out a cold laugh, pulling out my phone.

"If I'm not mistaken, that bottle sold at the Parleys auction last year… for five million."