Chapter 2

I gave a self-deprecating smile, though deep down I felt nothing. Truth be told, I had only come here for my mother's necklace.

But why were they here?

Inside, I let my gaze wander over the winery's interior design and furnishings without revealing my thoughts. When my eyes landed on the antique mural hanging on the wall, I finally had my answer.

This was indeed the winery my sister had purchased last year. That very painting was the housewarming gift I had given her. I even remembered how the workers chipped a corner while hanging it, and I'd promised to restore it for her someday. But then she went abroad, and I hadn't set foot here since.

Lost in thought, I was jolted back by the cutting laughter of the men around Dolly.

"Look at this bumpkin's eyes. I bet he's never stepped into a place this fancy in his life!"

"Just look at him, gawking like a fool. Dolly, it must have been torture for you dating this guy. A gorgeous lady wasted on a useless fool!"

I turned, studying the three men in head-to-toe designer brands who clustered near her. Suddenly, I recalled my sister mentioning two days ago that she would be hosting a party at the winery and had invited me to come. The event was today.

Were these people her friends?

While I mulled it over, Steven strolled up, his face stretched into a false smile.

"A guest is a guest. He came all this way. No need to be harsh."

No sooner had he spoken than someone chimed in eagerly, flattering him.

"Spoken like a true gentleman, Steven. Hey, why are you still standing there? Take your shoes off before you dirty Steven's winery!"

I froze mid-step and turned to Steven.

"This is your winery?"

Dolly snorted.

"Whose else would it be? Yours? With those worthless trinkets you mess around with, you'll never even dream of stepping into a place this high-class."

I ignored her. In my heart, I was already certain—they weren't my sister's guests.

With that thought, I sat myself down on the plush sofa, curious to see what game they were playing.

"Wow, the bumpkin really made himself at home. Thinks this place is his now?" someone sneered.

Steven brushed it off with practiced magnanimity.

"Come now, it's rare for Justin to visit. Don't make it hard for him. There's fruit on the table—help yourselves."

Everyone's eyes shifted toward the coffee table, where a lacquer plate brimmed with golden cherries. They reached eagerly, savoring the fruit.

I, however, sat frozen.

"What's wrong, Justin? Don't tell me you've never seen these before?"

Dolly curled her lip in disdain. "Of course not. Someone like him has never tasted cherries that cost five hundred a kilogram."

Their laughter rang out, mocking me for being unsophisticated. But it wasn't the fruit that shocked me—it was the plate.

The lacquer plate looked far too familiar. If I wasn't mistaken, it was an antique lacquerware my sister had spent 600,000 dollars on at Christie's just last month.

But such antique lacquer couldn't be exposed to air. It was always coated in a thick protective shell.

Now, stripped bare, the plate was ruined.

My eyes scanned the room until they landed on the wastebasket by my feet. Inside lay the discarded lacquer coating, peeled away by human hands.

Meanwhile, the culprits jeered on.

"Ha! Look, he's so shocked he can't even move."

"Just proves he's a clueless bumpkin. That face—priceless!"

I straightened, nodding solemnly. "Shocked, yes. That plate happens to be a 600,000 dollar antique."

"What? 600,000 dollars? For that plate?"

"Seriously? Is he making this up?"

Steven faltered for a split second before waving his hand with forced nonchalance.

"Pfft, just a little trinket."

The flattery returned instantly.

"As expected of Steven, so generous!"

"Only someone like him would use a 600,000 dollar antique plate for fruit."

Dolly pressed herself against his chest, her face glowing with adoration.

"Steven, you're amazing. Not like some people, who only know how to show off with words."

Basking in her praise, Steven puffed himself up. "The only thing that matters is everyone's happy."

I rolled my eyes inwardly. If my sister found out, I couldn't imagine her reaction.

Once the cherries were gone, they strolled around the estate, marveling at its luxury. I trailed closely behind, not out of interest but out of fear—fear that they'd ruin something else.

And, as fate would have it, what I feared most was exactly what happened next.