98. Top Shelf

Chapter 98

Top Shelf

After dawn, Osborne prepared to head over to the Radcliffe Manor for work

His primary focus now was to complete the Godfather's heir test as swiftly as possible. That was to secure the position of Clarissa's head bodyguard.

His time spent with Barlyn the previous day had given him some insight into Barlyn

Osborne had also devised a clear plan now.

Dealing with Barlyn required a different approach than with Paul. Unlike Paul, Barlyn wasn't a spy, and they were, in fact, friends now

To become the head bodyguard, Osborne needed Barlyn to resign voluntarily.

The primary reason Barlyn took the bodyguard job was financial; Donna had canceled his credit cards and controlled his finances.

The previous day, Osborne had taken Barlyn to earn some money, hoping to alleviate his financial concerns.

With money in hand, Barlyn might consider quitting

But simply having cash wasn't enough. Osborne planned to make Barlyn experience the harsh realities and challenges of being a bodyguard.

Only by doing so would Barlyn be motivated to resign sooner.

Today, Osborne was ready to put his plan into action.

"That guy's a wine aficionado, especially when it comes to high–end reds Today, I'm going to show him what real top–shelf wine tastes like!"

Osborne smirked, opening the Draco Star Wristlet's shopping mall.

Inside, the mall offered an array of items, including weapons, explosives, luxury cars, and high–end watches, as well as cigars and fine wines

Osborne navigated to the wine section, where a dazzling selection of prestigious bottles awaited.

Although he wasn't a wine expert, he knew that price didn't lie.

The higher the price, the better the wine. He zeroed in on the three most expensive red wines available.

The third most expensive was Glacium Beauty, a top–tier red wine produced by the Draco Group's own vineyard. Its annual production was extremely limited, reserved only for the Draco Group's high–ranking members

Even the elite of the elite, or members of ancient families, would be hard–pressed to taste it.

But the price was steep

"Six million dollars a bottle!"

Osborne was shocked before checking the second most expensive option.

This was Systin, a wine produced by the ancient Systin family, renowned for their winemaking expertise. For over a thousand years, six out of the top ten winemakers on this planet had hailed from the Systin family.

Systin wine was highly coveted, a luxury only nobles could afford.

However, the Systin family had perished in a disaster decades ago, and the remaining bottles of Systin wine had become exceedingly rare.

Even top auction houses had struggled to find them.

Black market prices soared into the tens of millions without any seller showing up.

In the mall, a bottle of Systin was priced at 10 million.

Osborne shook his head and turned to the most expensive wine

The price took his breath away–50 million.

It had a peculiar name

"Noble Blue!

"No description? Just a name? What makes it worth fifty million?""

Oshore frowned.

"Forget it. You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs! I'm going all in to pass this test!"

With a determined grimace, Osborne placed his order

He bought a bottle of Noble Blue, two bottles of Systin, and five bottles of Glacium Beauty, spending a total of 100 million.

Soon after, the wines were delivered.

Osborne stashed the wine in the trunk before driving over to the Radcliffe Manor.

By then, Clarissa had finished breakfast and was taking a leisurely stroll through the estate.

Donna, Barlyn, and Bodyguard Unit Four were hanging out not too far off.

"Bro, I'm over here!" Barlyn called out, spotting Osborne from a distance and waving enthusiastically, his face lit up with a wide grin.

The surprise was palpable among Sharon and the members of Bodyguard Unit Four.

They exchanged puzzled looks, wondering, "Why is the new head of security so chummy with Osborne?

What's going on here?"

Clarissa and Donna also glanced over at Earlyn, their faces reflecting their shock

"Barlyn, what did you just call him?" Donna asked, furrowing her brow

Barlyn shrugged casually. "What's the big deal? Osborne and I go way back. We're brothers through thick and thin. He's a year older than me, so I call him 'bro'. Is that so strange?"

Donna was taken aback.

She thought, "Brothers through thick and thin?

Barlyn's been in Mayby City for barely a day. What on earth did Osborne do to make Barlyn behave like this?

My son might seem like a playboy on the surface, but he's really quite proud and selective.

It's rare for him to take a liking to anyone."

Clarissa, equally stunned, kept shifting her gaze between Barlyn and Osborne.

Osborne greeted Clarissa and Donna with a warm smile before heading over to Barlyn's side.

Barlyn leaned in and said quietly, "Let's go, Osborne. Time for more drinks!"

Osborne's eyes lit up with interest.

He thought to himself, "I was just figuring out how to get Barlyn to hit the bottle with me. Since you've come to me first, I can't be blamed here.

Next up, I'll let you experience a bit of the harsh realities of society!"

"Of course no problem. Wait for me a moment and contact Austin while you are at it."

After speaking, Osborne walked towards Violet and said something to her.

Not long after, Osborne and Barlyn left the Radcliffe Manor together. Donna and Clarissa watched their backs with peculiar expressions

"That brat!"

Donna muttered, "I asked Barlyn to protect you, but all he does is go out drinking and even takes Osborne with him. He is just making things worse."

Clarissa chuckled, "Aunt Donna, it is okay. Drinking is the only hobby Barlyn has, right? Besides, if something really needs his attention, he would not neglect it"

Donna nodded, "That is true. He might seem unreliable, but he knows his priorities when it matters"

Chrissa said enviously, "Aunt Donna, I wish I could go out and have fun like Earlyn. I do not want to be cooped up here.

Donna shook her head, "Clarissa, until we figure out why the Aberrants wants to kill you, you need to stay in the manor where it is safe"

"When will that be?"

Donna fell silent The Radcliffe family had been investigating, but found no clues.

Clarissa's eyes dimmed.

She sighed, "Aunt Donna, I am tired. I am going to rest"

Meanwhile, Osborne and Barlyn quickly met up with Austin

They gathered at a villa not far from the Radcliffe Manor, which belonged to the Montague family

"Seriously, Mr. Radcliffe, we just drank last night, and now you want to drink again? I just woke up. Are you trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me?' Austin teased.

Barlyn glared at her. "You think I want to invite you? Besides, who would take advantage of you? Osborne asked me to bring you"

Austin's face lit up with a smile.

"Oh, that is great! Osborne is so considerate, he did not forget about me."

Osborne smiled slightly.

Barlyn rolled his eyes. "What is that supposed to mean? When I invite you, it is to get you drunk, but when Osborne invites you, it is considerate?"

"Austin, you have double standards."

Austin smirked, "Because Osborne is a good person, and you are not!"

Barlyn was speechless and decided not to argue. Instead, he excitedly brought out a case of wine

"The bar's wine last night was no good. Today, we are drinking this. I took it from Clarissa's cellar – thirty–year–old Musigny Grand Crul"

"This is rare and excellent wine!"

Barlyn eagerly prepared to open the wine. Everyone knew that his only hobby was drinking the finest wine.

As long as there was good wine, he could not resist..

Austin asked the housekeeper to bring some food and sat down

Osborne casually asked, "Is this wine good? How much does it cost per bottle?"

Barlyn quickly replied, "Of course it is good! Musigny is one of the top ten wineries in Europe. With my twenty years of drinking experience, this wine ranks in the top five! It is not too expensive, thirty– five thousand dollars per bottle."

"But wine is always worth its price – the more expensive, the better it tastes"

"I cannot wait any longer."

Just as Barlyn was about to open the bottle, Osborne stopped him with a smile. "Is expensive wine really better? Today, we would not drink this. I brought some good wine."

Barlyn was stunned.

"Osborne, you brought good wine? What kind?"

Osborne smiled faintly, "I am not very familiar with wine. It was a gift from a friend. He said it is top– tier wine from the Draco Group's winery, called 'Glacium Beauty.""

Osborne did not start with the most expensive Noble Blue, but took out a six–hundred thousand dollars per bottle Glacium Beauty first.

But even then, Barlyn was shocked.

His eyes widened in disbelief. "Osborne, what did you say? Glacium Beauty? From the Draco Group?"

Barlyn's breathing quickened.

Osborne nodded, "Yes, it is called Glacium Beauty. I do not know if it is real. I will go get it, and you can check"

After saying that, Osborne went to the car to fetch a bottle of Glacium Beauty

The reason he only took one bottle was not because Osborne was being stingy, but because he had other plans. Barlyn was already anxious

He grabbed the Glaciun Beauty and excitedly started examining it.

"Glaciun Beauty"

"It really is Glacium Beauty! Only high–ranking officials in the Draco Group can occasionally drink this. It is real!"

Austin saw Earlyn's excitement

She could not help but say, "Barlyn, is it a treasure?"

"You do not get it."

Is it necessary to be so excited? It is just a bottle of wine. You act like it is a priceless

Barlyn exclaimed, "To a wine lover, this bottle is more precious than any treasure! It is a top–quality wine you cannot buy"

He whispered, "Do you know how much it is worth on the black market?"