?Chapter 382:


    Kolton surveyed the room, his eyes sweeping over the crowd before nodding to his aide. “It looks like everyone’s almost here. Let’s begin.”


    Without sparing Chris another nce, he maneuvered the wheelchair to the center of the hall, his every step deliberate, as though the entire room existed at his whim.


    The emcee, who had been waiting for the signal, raised his microphone and spoke with enthusiasm. “Ladies and gentlemen, wee to this year’s g! Let’s give a warm round of apuse as we invite Mr. Kolton Cooper, the head of the Cooper family, to deliver the opening speech.”


    Polite apuse filled the room.


    Kolton rose with effortless grace, his posture impable as he addressed the crowd, his smile a mask of poised confidence. “First, thank you all for being here tonight and for gracing this g with your presence. Secondly…”


    His voice carried through the hall, smooth andmanding. “Finally, I want to say, the continued sess of my family over the years is a result of the unwavering support from all of you here tonight.” As he spoke, Kolton made a subtle gesture toward the crowd. “This g was organized by my cousin, Hurst, who’s generously brought some exceptional wine from his private collection. Among them, there is a rare vintage recently acquired at an auction. I hope you all have a wonderful evening.”


    Hurst, standing nearby, maintained a polite smile, but inside, a storm was brewing. He had never agreed to bring the wine. He sneered inwardly, “What a move, Kolton.”


    However, given the asion and the Cooper family’s reputation, Hurst had little choice but to go along with it.


    Kolton had always known how to seize every opportunity to undermine the other branches of the family. Outwardly, he treated Hurst with polite respect, but behind closed doors, he employed his fair share of dirty tricks.


    “At least I’ve met Maia,” Hurst murmured to himself. “I’ve got a trump card now.”


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    In the next auction, he nned to ask Maia for her advice again. That way, he might be able to offset tonight’s loss.


    With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Hurst turned toward the audience, his forced smile never faltering as he faced their expectant gazes. “Kolton is indeed well-informed. Nothing escapes him. The wines prepared for tonight’s banquet are among the finest. The bottle I acquired at the recent auction was originally intended as the grand finale, but since it’s already been mentioned, let’s bring it out now!”


    His words immediately sparked enthusiastic chatter from the crowd.


    “I heard Mr. Hurst Cooper snagged a bottle of Blood Iris at the auction — the one with the SJ mark! That’s a vintage that’s impossible to find these days!”


    “I’ve heard about that too. They say it’s worth millions! Offering such a wine tonight? No wonder the Cooper family is leading the pack among Wront’s four major families!”


    “That wine’s legendary! I’ve dreamed of tasting it.”


    “Rumor has it a lot of big names were at the auction but missed it. Now, the winemunity’s buzzing. Everyone’s saying Mr. Hurst Cooper has some secret expert helping him!”


    Hurst’s frustration grew as he listened to their excited chatter. The thought of that rare bottle being wasted on these people gnawed at him.


    Just as the room buzzed with anticipation, the doors to the banquet hall suddenly flew open.


    A rush of hot air swept in as several men in ck suits entered swiftly, one after another.


    The man leading the group moved with a calm, unhurried grace, every step measured and firm. His dark gray suit fit as if stitched by the hands of a master, and he wore it with the effortless elegance of someone born into power. His eyes, deep and distant, seemed to see straight through the room, while his thin lips pressed together in a line that left no room for warmth. He carried authority like a second skin.


    The moment he entered, the crowd’s attention snapped toward him as if drawn by an invisible force.


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